Volunteer Work With Elephants

My flight arrived early but within 5 minutes Sukret was there to pick me up. A great Service.

The accommodation was very good, the guesthouse had everything you could need including WiFi internet, space to dry your clothes and a shop nearby that sold everything you would need day-to-day. The food was very tasty, available on demand and plenty of it – there was always the offer of more.

Toteram-ji, the taxidriver, drove me everywhere and he was awesome! I found that most of the time I would get into the tuk-tuk and I didn’t know where I was going but I always went somewhere exciting! I will miss our samosa parties in the tuk-tuk a lot. He was on time, his driving was great and his smiley hallo, good morning! at 4:30 a.m was always much appreciated.

Govind was my project supervisor and he really made my trip amazing. He was very helpful with any questions. I am yet to find one he couldn’t answer. He included me in things outside the project with his friends and family and I loved every minute of it. Sukret was also extremely helpful and answered my questions promptly. He was always around to check everything was ok.

I did the elephant project for 3 weeks. Everyday we left at 4:30 a.m and started by cleaning the elephant enclosure, picking up her poo with your bare hands, washing and scrubbing the elephant, then dressing the elephant ready to go to amber fort. Once the elephants had left we made bundles of food for them to eat later. Some afternoons we would make chappathi’s for the elephants. The mahouts were great fun and I could always get involved with whatever they were doing. The project itself was really enjoyable with a highlight being washing the elephant in the elephant pool on my last morning.

I was bit nervous about going to India with VWI, but there was absolutely no need to be. The staff at VWI was professional, friendly and couldn’t have been more accommodating. They were very inclusive and I really enjoyed getting involved and learning about Indian culture firsthand. I was treated so well – I loved meeting their families and their friends. My sari will remind me of all the great times I spent with them. The sightseeing trips on the weekends were very well organized and included everything. Jaipur is a wonderful city to live in.

I got to experience all the projects offered by VWI; this organization does such a worthwhile job. All projects are well-run and great value for money. All transportation food and accommodation is organized for you, all you have to do is enjoy every minute of the experience, the end of my time in India came a bit too fast.

I would give VWI 10/10, I had an awesome time and want to thank everyone involved. I would highly recommend this company to future volunteers and will come back the next time I am in India.

Project was good, all mahouts that I worked with were friendly and tried to talk to me even limited English. Elephant work was good. It was good to be up close and personal with the elephants. All were well trained and I felt 100% safe when working closely with them. The Transport was reliable, on time and friendly. Project coordinator Raj was great to show us around and answer our question about elephants, the project, Indian culture. His English is really good which enabled us to communicate with him and the mahouts. Project was great, everything associated with the elephants was amazing, such a great experience.

The elephant project is incredible! The mahouts were very friendly and obviously we devoted to their elephants. Being able to wash and bathe the elephants was a highlight! The Project coordinator was amazing , very helpful and lovely to talk to. Totoram was the best driver. He was so friendly and accommodating & took us every morning for chai!
I will be back again with my mother.

The Project itself was very enjoyable. It was cool to get to know the elephant. The work was not too challenging. The Mahouts were friendly and joking with us. Raj the project coordinator was pleasant to have with us. Govind and Sukret were very accommodating too. Totoram the driver was kind and caring and we enjoyed his presence.
Definitely recommend the project.

I had a wonderful time in Jaipur with Elephants. During my 4 weeks of project with VWI i also go to visit some of the beautiful places in Jaipur, Agra, Pushkar & Delhi. Here people are so friendly.

My work with the elephants starts everyday in morning; VWI has dedicated driver which pick me up in time and drop at the project site; there is project coordinator always there which assist me all the work to help mahouts and to care elephants. My work was there to everyday clean the area, wash the elephants, feed them and also go to afternoon to made chapati's. The work environment with the elephants and mahouts is so happy and fun.

The host family is so nice, my room was nice, food was great. I definitely recommend this project for future volunteers.

I went to Jaipur to work with the elephants and what a great experience it was.

If you are looking for an authentic experience then this is the project for you. From the family to the transport it is the real deal.

I was worried as a lone slightly older traveller about how safe I would be. I need not have worried at all, at every stage the organisation exceeded expectations leaving me free to enjoy the experience.

The day starts early and so if you are working with the elephants you have a lot of downtime. It is worth noting here it may be better to do this trip with a friend since I did get a little bored at the house.

Whilst on the trip it was the Holie festival and what fun be aware that you are not told to oil your body before playing so that the powder does not stain. I was bright pink for almost a week!!! Thanks Sukret.

Live a little and go for this adventure.

I would highly recommend this organization. I did the Volunteer With Elephants program and had a truly amazing experience. I really can't express how it changed my life.

From the moment I got there, and even before arriving, I had support from their staff. They always made sure I had what I needed and was safe..which was very valuable being a woman traveling alone.

They really set you up to be comfortable and the value of having a driver was very nice. The manager/owner of this organization always took the time to take me and see things I would have never known how to find, explain where to go for shopping.

The tour you get at the end is also worth it in itself. I loved spending time with the elephants and everything was hands on.

The town was beautiful and so full of history and character. Lots of sight seeing! Everyday was a new unique experience and I met a lot of really nice people.

The family I stayed with was very hospitable, although the food was a little oily and vegetarian it was really tasty. I had my own room with a shower and always felt welcome. The girls there did Henna for me and even helped me shop for a Sari and local attire.

All in all I had an incredible experience, I would highly recommend this organization as it has a personable and human aspect to it. If you are thinking of going, and have more questions feel free to contact me at thowrey@live.com.

Never stop travelling :-)

Ms by Michele
on December 16, 2012
I would like to pass on what an amazing experience it is in Jaipur with the awesome elephants. I was made to be so welcome by all, from the coordinators to the fab mahouts. Tutarum ji who picked us up from our guest house was a real character and always made sure we found plenty of drinking holes for a lovely cup of real Indian chai, we had chance to go to teach the children at a school. They were such a great bunch of kids, and very clever.I was invited to two weddings and they were very colourful and lively. I didn't have to worry about anything accommodation was seen to and All I had to worry about was getting up on time!!
If I could I would do it all again.
If you love history Jaipur has lots to offer. Thanks Sukret and Govind and Tutarum Ji for making it the best experience ever.....