Program Reviews

My experience at IPBio was absolutely wonderful and enriching. The program was very well-organized, from the detailed pre-arrival information to the orientation and support upon arrival. The diverse range of activities, including bird and fish inventories, reforestation, and searching for bioluminescent organisms, allowed me to gain hands-on experience and learn so much about the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon.

The staff was extremely supportive, open to feedback, and fostered a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. The coordinators were approachable and easy to connect with, which made working together enjoyable. On weekends, we occasionally went out together, for example to eat, which added a nice social aspect to the experience.

One of the highlights was exploring partially new areas with exceptional biodiversity. I had the chance to see sloths, monkeys, a wide variety of birds, enormous trees, and so much more.

The accommodation was comfortable, and its location near Alter do Chão provided a unique opportunity to connect with the local culture while enjoying the beauty of the Amazon River.

What made the experience even more meaningful was the opportunity to actively contribute to environmental protection. Whether through reforestation projects or the general mission of the volunteer program, I felt that my work was part of a broader effort to preserve the rainforest and support sustainable practices.

Overall, this program is perfect for anyone passionate about biodiversity and looking for a meaningful volunteer experience that also makes a real difference for the environment.

During my experience with IpBio, I had the opportunity to learn about the importance of tree, bird, and mushroom inventory, as well as reforestation. I was able to have a hands-on role and the activities were well lead which made it efficient.

I was made to feel really welcomed and Marleen and Imran were super supportive and helpful!

I was able to learn a lot from this experience and I will definitely be able to take a lot away and put more practical steps into my own life to help the environment.

I enjoyed my 4+ weeks of volunteering with IPbio, many thanks to great level of coordination and organization: all activities are well planned, with guidelines for each, coordinators are helpful to clarify everything and support in any issues! I liked the comfortable living conditions too. The number of species you are able to see as well as format of activities, depends much on the season (wet/dry), but even with the lowest water levels we could see a lot! Climate is hot but bearable, most of activities start early in the morning to balance the temperature

This great volunteering program is perfect for those who love outdoor activities! I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a genuine experience with wild nature. It offers the chance to explore and connect with the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, one of the world's most unique and vital ecosystems. By volunteering here, you'll play an important role in its conservation efforts. The Amazon deserves our protection, and this program allows you to contribute directly to its preservation and sustainability.

As a first time overseas volunteer and wildlife researcher, I found this program an awesome experience on so many levels.

It was great to be part of a group that really cares about not only wildlife conservation but also providing the best for the local community.

I felt that the work we undertook really made a difference and this was such a good feeling.

The staff were awesome and very supportive.

I'm running out of space but all I will say is if you have chance ... Do it, you won't regret it

I had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge regarding the research and conservation methods for different aspects of nature. The work was harder some days than others, but super rewarding. The staff was very kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. We had the opportunity to interact with the local community on various occasions and even participate in some of their local celebrations. This deepened my appreciation for their culture and the work that IPBio is doing. Lastly, the town is beautiful and offers a variety of things to do from the beach, restaurants, dancing, different tours, water activities, and more. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in nature or conservation.

I am an engineering student specializing in agronomy, environmental science, and agri-food. I completed a 2-month internship at IPBio, and it has been the best internship I have had so far. Both the setting, which is exceptional and the diverse and interesting missions made it an outstanding experience. There is something for everyone. Regarding the staff, they were excellent, and everyone was very kind and attentive. What I enjoyed the most were the reforestation days we participated in, as they allowed us to contribute directly to environmental conservation and combat the massive deforestation of the Amazon.

I greatly enjoyed my time volunteering at IPBIO. The program combines so much diversity in activity types and locations for biodiversity research. Coordinators are very responsible and open. Help is available at any moment, I felt very secure going to a new country. Group dynamics is amazing, I learned a lot from the people I met during the trip. Housing has all utilities that you can think of. The nature can not be fully described in words; The diversity of species you see during work and free time is breathtaking!

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life so far. Alter do chao is so beautiful the location you are in is amazing many activities to do many necessities near by and so many great people. It’s truly amazing, irman and Marleen the people that run this organization are such amazing people they are so nice and so helpful with anything you need they truly are friends for life. The other volunteers are also so amazing you meet so many cool people that all have the same interests it’s truly amazing. The living quarters are amazing I couldn’t ask for more, you have an amazing pool with a big kitchen and the rooms are nice and cold with good beds it’s great. This was truly one of the best experiences ever and I recommend it to everyone. Definitely will do again!!!

I am an undergraduate biology student. During my 7 weeks at IPBio, I witnessed a lot of biodiversity in the Amazon forest. The programme itself is well organised and executed, with the volunteer coordinators Imran and Marleen being very responsive, supportive, and instructive. The only drawback was that the location of the programme is in close proximity to human settlements, which restricts the extent of biodiversity present. However, this is balanced out by the close proximity to food shops, cultural immersion, and social activities.