Location
  • Colombia
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
18
Age Max
35
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Solo

Pricing

Starting Price
370
Price Details
The price includes $270 to cover expenses such as accommodation, three meals a day, and guides. Additionally, a $100 donation goes to the animal refuge to support the improvement of animal care and the rehabilitation process.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Feb 17, 2025
Feb 14, 2025
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About Program

Join a 2-week volunteer program at our animal refuge, nestled in the lush landscapes of Colombia, where we rehabilitate animals for their return to the wild. Help make their stay in the refuge as comfortable as possible by cleaning enclosures, feeding them, and providing care and compassion. Experience close encounters with capuchin monkeys, capybaras, jaguars, macaws, and many other fascinating creatures native to Colombia’s wilderness.

Daily Routine Monday - Saturday:
07:30 – Breakfast
08:00 – Get to work: cleaning cages, feeding animals, and helping out wherever needed
13:00 – Lunch and chill (long break to relax!)
15:00 – Back to work
17:00 – Free time to explore, hang out, or just unwind

Facilities & Support
Accommodation in simple cabins within the reserve, surrounded by nature
Shared showers and restrooms
Three meals a day featuring traditional local flavors
Dedicated team offering guidance and support throughout your stay
Transport from the nearby town

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Encounter capuchin monkeys, capybaras, jaguars, macaws, and more
  • Live in a beautiful 630-hectare natural reserve
  • Work with a team of volunteers from all over the world
  • Gain practical skills and learn about conservation challenges
  • Be part of the solution and help protect the planet!

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 5 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.6
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Default avatar
Thomas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One with Colombian wildlife

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!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Providing medical care to a baby monkey’s tail. I was grateful having the chance doing that.
Pros
  • Learning Spanish
  • Free time (wandering around the rescue centre)
  • The employees
Cons
  • Bad service (no wifi), could be a problem as well but if something happens at night then it would be a problem
  • Bad clarity about how the money is spent you pay (invested in the program?)
  • Could be lonely at some times since you do not have companion when the employees are gone
Default avatar
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Authentic off-beaten-track wild experience!

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.

Pros
  • Great hosts
  • Up close and personal to wildlife
  • Make a real difference
Cons
  • Food is basic (but filling!)
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jimmy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Volunteering Experience at Cabildo Verde

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.

What was your funniest moment?
Mona the resident monkey stealing all my washing from the clothes line... I eventually got them back!
Pros
  • close interaction with animals
  • authentic experience
  • private cabin
Cons
  • no phone or wifi signal
  • very hot and humid
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Roman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A True Haven for Wildlife

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!

What was your funniest moment?
One parrot a funny one just adopted me as his friend.
Pros
  • Real nature
  • Great food home cooking
  • Tiger
Cons
  • Tics
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most amazing experience

I stayed and volunteered at Cabildo Verde 2 years ago and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Not only do you get a chance to be in such a beautiful country surrounded by nature, you get an opportunity to do meaningful work and to support and be supported by an amazing group of people who have dedicated themselves to helping these wild animals and to conservation.

Getting to work with such a variety of animals I had never even seen before up close and seeing how your actions are making a very tangible difference in their lives and well-being was extremely fulfilling.

There is such a wide variety of work that needs to be done that I really think there's space for everyone. If you are more nurturing and want to hand feed and hold neonates or if you are handy and want to build new shelter structures for the animals to live in, to anything in between, there really is the opportunity for you to do work that best suits you and your interests. And all are welcome!

I felt very safe here. The living spaces were comfortable and clean. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming. They were so helpful and took very good care of all the volunteers. You will really leave this experience feeling as though you're a part of the Cabildo Verde family too.

I would recommend this experience to anyone interested in working with animals and conservation.

What was your funniest moment?
I don't know if it was one of the funniest moments, but it was for sure one of the most heartwarming. We were in the enclosure for young capuchin monkeys rebuilding the platforms give them places to climb and have enrichment. We had to dig in the ground to place them, and it was pretty hard work. When I think we're done fixing everything I notice our guide continues to dig more holes. I was confused but then he told me he was digging up worms for them to eat. And they were babies so they didn't really know or have elders to show them to eat the worms. So we stayed longer in there digging up worms and teaching the young monkeys to eat them. It was such a special moment that will I will never forget watching these little guys learn and enjoy having a new yummy snack.
Pros
  • Fulfilling work with animals
  • Amazing staff and people to work with
  • Being in such a breathtakingly beautiful landscape
Cons
  • It gets pretty hot and there are few places with AC
  • No hot water
  • There was no cell service or wifi except for certain spot when I went. But they were always willing to take us to town to access wifi if necessary.
9 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers