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Laos Wildlife Sanctuary
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Laos
Duration
1 to 8 weeks
Ages
18 to 75
Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Jul 2025, and closing very soon.
$1,595
$495
deposit now
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
Trip overview
If you’re looking to explore the untouched, authentic side of South East Asia – Laos is the place.
Neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand have been on the tourist radar for decades – making them busy and developed with plenty of tourist infrastructure.
Laos, on the other hand, is less developed and more wild – the perfect place for an adventurous traveller to get a taste of the real South East Asia.
On this trip, you’ll have a huge impact on the wild animals of Laos as you live and volunteer in this tropical paradise.
Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person.
On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted partner organisation in Laos. When you go with Global, you get:
- Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner in Laos. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world.
- Comfortable accommodation – You’ll stay in a volunteer bungalow nestled under the trees on site. You’ll share with one other volunteer.
- Meals – 3 meals a day, everyday. Help yourself to breakfast (from the provided food), with hot meals for lunch and dinner.
- Unique experiences – While these aren’t guaranteed, you could be part of releasing endangered animals (such as pangolins) back into the wild or immersion into Lao culture with visits to a karaoke bar with locals, for example.
- And much more!
On this trip you’ll be engulfed by the incredible nature and wildlife you’re helping save. The site is in a rural area between the Phou Khao Khouay National Park and the Nam Pien Yorla Pa ecotourism area.
Your days will be spent helping rehabilitate wild animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Many of these animals go on to be re-released into the wild thanks to the contributions of the dedicated staff and volunteers.
This is a strictly hands-off rescue center for both your safety and that of the animals. You WON’T be coming into physical contact with any wild animals.
When you’re not volunteering (all volunteers get 1 day off a week), you can relax at the infinity pool at Nam Pien (access included for volunteers), hike through the adjacent National Park, or take on many of the ecotourism activities this area is becoming famous for.
This is one of the last untouched wildernesses of the world. But the wild animals and biodiversity are under threat – presenting new dangers to humans with the increasing human/animal conflict.
With your help – and the guidance of the excellent staff on the ground – we can mitigate these issues and contribute to a more wild world for all of us.
For a lot of people, getting a glimpse of the authentic side of South East Asia is a bucket-list experience.
Although most people don’t get the chance to experience something like this. Contributing to meaningful projects in the heart of the Laos wilderness.
And when you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Inclusions
Tap to expand
Volunteer project placement
Comfortable accommodation
Meals
Return airport transfer
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
Qualification
To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18-75 years of age
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years
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Requirements
You don’t need any wildlife experience for this trip. Just a good attitude, a willingness to learn, and motivation to get stuck in. Plus, you’ll need to be able to tolerate a hot and humid climate whilst doing strenuous outdoor work.
1k+
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Purpose & impact
Laos is a major gateway for the illegal wildlife trade in and out of South East Asia. This is contributing to a drop in biodiversity and increasing risks to humans from emerging diseases.
The purpose of your trip is to improve the conditions of the resident animals which have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, to provide rehabilitation to prepare the animals for release, help release animals into protected areas, and to help our partner combat the illegal wildlife trade through various methods.
Your duties have 2 main tasks: Husbandry, and Enrichment and Construction.
Husbandry
This will be the bulk of your responsibilities. Animal husbandry includes preparing food, feeding the animals, and cleaning the enclosures. Basically, you can think of yourself as assistant to the animal caretakers on site.
Enrichment
Unfortunately, many of the animals rescued from the wildlife trade are unfit to live in the wild. This is either due to injury or a life in captivity that means they are not equipped to fend for themselves.
The great news is that our partner can provide a lifelong sanctuary for these animals to live out their lives in comfort and safety.
An important part of this is enrichment – the animals need something to stimulate their minds and bodies. Enrichment can play a critical part in wildlife rehabilitation by preparing the animals for life back in the wild.
It’s tailored to each animal to challenge them to complete certain tasks to help them survive in the world.
There’s always a need for new enrichment techniques so feel free to make some suggestions!
Construction
Our partners center is transitioning and moved into a new site in July 2024. This means there are plenty of construction projects on hand so the new centre meets modern standards for animal care.
You’ll get to leave a lasting legacy on the center by assisting with building new enclosures and enrichment structures including swimming pools, shelters, and climbing towers, alongside the dedicated maintenance team.
Please note: Husbandry will be the bulk of your responsibilities. Enrichment and construction tasks will depend on the needs of the animals and the centre.
Your volunteer duties will be Monday – Saturday from 8 – 5. Sundays are off days for volunteers.
Accommodation & meals
When you arrive at Wattay International Airport, our partner will be waiting to take you straight to your included accommodation.
You’ll stay in a shared, 2-bedroom bungalow tucked into the shade of the trees on the project site. All bungalows also have a hammock to lounge in on the front porch.
The project tries to maintain single-sex bungalows. However, this isn’t always possible due to the nature of the program.
If you’d like to share with your partner/friend/family member – let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. No promises though!
There are communal, single-sex shower and toilet blocks exclusively for volunteers. These facilities are newly built and feature western style toilets, and hot and cold high pressure showers.
With your accommodation sorted, what will you do about food?
You’ll get 3 meals a day, every day. Breakfast food will be provided in the communal kitchen, but it’s up to you to prepare it for yourself.
Lunch and dinner are hot meals served at the volunteer house. There are plenty of clean drinking water stations around the project site.
All meals are vegetarian or vegan, although you will have a fridge and dry store space to store personal food items. Dietary requirements can be accommodated if you let us know well in advance.
Trip itinerary
Before you leave
Your volunteer placement – including accommodation and 3 meals a day – is confirmed and organised before you leave home.
Arrival
When you arrive at Wattay International Airport, a member of our partner team will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your shared bungalow accommodation. If you decide to travel to Laos earlier than scheduled, you can get picked up from your hotel in Vientiane.
You’ll be given a tour of the site along with an orientation to lay out the rules and expectations of your engagement.
Take some time to relax and settle in, get to know your new friends, or explore the area.
Typical Day
Your duties will change depending on the season, whether, needs of the project, and the needs of the animals. But here’s a good example of what a day may look like:
7:00 – Morning Rounds. Mornings start with rounds including feeding, cleaning, preparing food for our rescue animals onsite. Morning rounds can vary depending on how many animals have recently been rescued
10:30 – Break. Hydrate, snack, or chill for a few minutes before getting back to the animals.
10:45 – Construction/Special Projects. This can be anything from renovating old enclosures to helping construct new ones. This may include preparing special arrangements for incoming animals, working on community engagement projects, or simply observing animal behaviour.
12:00 – Lunch. Take a well deserved break where you'll enjoy your hot lunch and maybe take a short nap in the hammock by your bungalow.
13:00 – Enrichment and/or Continuing Morning Projects. Now’s the time to put your creative abilities to the test by creating enrichment for the animals. Staff will help you develop ideas based on what materials are available and safety considerations for the animals.
15:00 – Evening Feedout. Time to feed the animals in your care!
16:00 – Finished. Take the rest of the day to relax with your new colleagues, walk around the center and discover some of the nocturnal species coming out of their hidey-holes, cool off in the pool nearby, or hang out in your bungalow hammock.
Once your placement is over, you can choose to stay in the area to explore what else Laos – and South East Asia – have to offer.
Whatever you choose to do, we can help make it easy.
We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our emergency support line will help with urgent matters.
Don’t go alone. Go with Global.
Why choose us
We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Laos totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way.
Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it:
We’re on your side from the moment you get started.
You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave.
Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.
We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners.
Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way.
Join almost 100,000 travellers – giving us 10000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.
Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in Laos, don’t delay.
With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates.
We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Laos.
This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in Laos, complete with everything you need and loads of support.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you the best company to choose?
As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!
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While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!
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After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!
Can I bring my pet along?
At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.
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Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
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Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.