Cabildo Verde

I spent 1 week at Cabildo Verde in the summer of 2023 and enjoyed my stay, I was able to make an impactful difference in the lives of the animals and learned valuable skills in regards to animal welfare and care. I enjoyed helping create enrichments for the animals and taking care of them. The people were amazing and so was the food. I would highly recommend the experience. Do know that there is practically no internet and often you will be the only volunteer. Spanish is also a must to be able to properly communicate with the staff.

I loved my time at Cabildo Verde taking care of the various kinds of animals that you can find in the nature of South America. It was quite an adventure already to sign up and travel to the location which for me felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. My Spanish wasn’t that advanced so I had to learn real fast.

I had a warm welcome by Yanei, Dani, Mundo and Anderson. They taught me the basics of taking care of wild animals which included feeding, providing medical care, building new cages and of course, the best part, cleaning them. It is hard to see animals that are traumatised by illegal trade and bad care but that’s is why the work is so important. I had a great cabin as well which was visited by two parrots through the ceiling. The food was muy Rico as well (thanks Yanei!).

Overall, I couldn’t wish for a better place to stay and do volunteer work in Colombia. Highly recommend!

Hands down the best 2 weeks of my 6 months in Latin America. The staff here deeply care about the natural world, and you will be welcomed into the team. The facilities are really good, I loved showering looking out at the forest! Once in a lifetime experiences getting close to the wildlife and seeing many animals being released. Can’t recommend highly enough. If you want to learn about Colombias wildlife or off the beaten track culture or meet real people not just on the tourist trail this is the place for you! A good chance to practice your spanish! And it’s absolutely stunning.

Spending two weeks at Cabildo Verde in Sabana de Torres, Santander, was the highlight of our six-month travels. As a zoologist and wildlife filmmaker, I’ve visited many conservation projects, but this sanctuary stood out for its truly immersive wildlife experience.

Nestled deep in nature, our simple yet comfortable private cabin allowed us to fall asleep to the sounds of the forest—and even hear a jaguar calling from the nearby enclosure, the largest in South America.

Each day, we helped feed the animals, including adorable baby parakeets, and witnessed the arrival of rescued wildlife brought in by the local agency. We saw a boa constrictor, a tigrillo, an owl, and many tropical birds—victims of injuries or the illegal pet trade. The dedicated staff carefully monitored them, rehabilitating and releasing them whenever possible. It was inspiring to see real conservation work in action.

With limited internet, the sanctuary offered a chance to disconnect and fully engage with nature. The kind staff, though speaking only Spanish, were patient and welcoming, making it a great place to practice the language while learning about wildlife rehabilitation.

For those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-track sanctuary experience, Cabildo Verde is a hidden gem. Whether you're a nature lover or conservation enthusiast, this place is truly worth a visit.

Volunteering with Cabildo Verde was an incredible experience! Unlike many places, they truly focus on rehabilitating and releasing wild animals back into their natural habitat. I witnessed firsthand the dedication of the team as they cared for rescued wildlife, ensuring they were strong enough to return to nature. Seeing an animal take its first steps back into the wild was unforgettable. If you’re passionate about real conservation and want to make a difference, this is the perfect place to volunteer!