Uganda

Volunteering with gorillas in Uganda

Right in the national park
work with wildlife
Camp Life

Uganda is one of the few countries where gorillas still live in the wild. To keep it that way, this project gives you the opportunity to support the conservation of these endangered animals.

National Park Uganda

from 18 years

2 - 12 weeks / from €2.690

Wednesday, Sunday

life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Project ID : FA-UG283

As a volunteer
Uganda

2 - 12 weeks / from €2.690
to the cost overview

What's the matter?

If you volunteer in the field of wildlife and animal welfare, you should make sure that the welfare of the animal and species protection are the top priority for the project. Bring the essence of summer, sun, beach, and sea directly into your glass with our Mojito cocktail syrup. By topping it with soda, garnishing with fresh mint, and a slice of lime, you can quickly mix yourself a spritz cocktail. The premium lime-mint flavor ensures a pure beach feeling. magazine article We would like to give you not only an assistance on what you have to pay attention to the project choice. We also want to show you why animal welfare is even important in tourism and during a project assignment.

Gorillas are the largest great apes and are divided into four subspecies, all of which are endangered or even endangered. One reason for this is poaching, which is still a major problem in Uganda. On the other hand, the gorilla population is suffering from the loss of their natural habitat, because the rainforest is being destroyed by deforestation and clearing and has to make way for roads, fields or mines.

In addition, the gorillas are getting closer and closer to the villages of the locals. Because the habitat of the gorillas overlaps with the surrounding area of the communities and increasingly leads to conflicts between humans and animals. For example, farmers and hunters hunt lowland gorillas, which raid their fields and destroy crops. Due to the close proximity of humans and animals, the gorillas are also infected with communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and measles - another threat to this endangered species.

The project site is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, especially gorillas. The organization was founded about 15 years ago after groups of gorillas had repeatedly contracted serious diseases due to their proximity to local communities. Since then, the mission site has been campaigning, for example, to ensure that gorillas are protected against diseases in the long term. The deployment site follows a holistic approach: The focus is on a healthy interaction between people, animals and the environment.

Your tasks as a volunteer

During your volunteer work with gorillas in Uganda you will support the Conservation Center. There, for example, faecal samples from gorillas and farm animals from the villages are collected and examined for diseases. There is also a veterinary service that provides basic treatments to livestock in the communities. This also includes rabies vaccinations and neutering of dogs and cats.

You will also support a health program: you and your team will visit various villages and sensitize the population to topics such as hygiene, prevention and the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Of course, the discussions with the locals also deal with the importance of maintaining the gorilla population. This community program aims to help reduce conflicts between humans and animals.

Your everyday work starts in the morning with breakfast, which is served between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Then your work in the project begins. You have a lunch break from around 12:30 p.m. to 14:00 p.m. Your work ends around 16 p.m. At 17 p.m. there will be a briefing on the activities for the next day.

Note: Your daily routine depends on what activities are taking place and can therefore vary daily.

Accommodation Catering

Your accommodation in the Gorilla Project

all fotos

Camp at the Gorilla Project

During your volunteer work with the gorillas, you will live in a camp adjacent to your volunteer site. As a rule, you share your room with 1-2 other volunteers of the same sex. You share the bathroom with the other volunteers. In addition to the toilet and sink, there is also a hot water shower.

Wifi is available in the accommodation. After your work is done, you can sit down with the other volunteers and team members in the common area and talk to them about the day. Enjoy the view of the surrounding forest terrain - home of the endangered gorillas!

Location

National Park Uganda

Green rainforest and incredible wildlife: The gorilla project is located in a national park in south-west Uganda. The protected area was officially established as a national park about 30 years ago and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mountainous rainforest area impresses with a fascinating variety of species! Around 120 different species of mammals, over 300 species of birds and more than 200 species of butterflies feel at home in the national park. The region is also home to around 400 mountain gorillas, almost half of all mountain gorillas in the world.

Animal and nature lovers in particular will get their money's worth here! Live in a national park for a while and experience the fascinating landscape up close!

Free time in the national park in Uganda

Your free time in Uganda

As a volunteer in the national park in Uganda you are surrounded by a beautiful, mountainous rainforest area with a fascinating biodiversity. In your free time you have enough time to get to know your surroundings better and to fully indulge in the nature of Uganda.

For example, take part in an exciting safari through the national park. In addition to impressive plants, you will get closer to Uganda's wildlife. The national park is a habitat for around 120 species of mammals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, red river hogs, golden and civet cats and a small population of forest elephants. There are also over 300 different species of birds and more than 200 species of butterflies, as well as 17 species of snakes and 43 species of reptiles.

On a special guided gorilla trekking tour, you can get closer to the rare great apes and admire these beautiful animals. About 400 gorillas live in the national park; hard to imagine that this is almost half of the entire living population!

In addition to the national park where you will be accommodated as a volunteer, there are numerous others in Uganda, such as the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which you can also visit in your free time. A weekend trip to Africa's largest lake is also worthwhile: Lake Victoria. You should not swim in the lake because of the high level of schistosomiasis, but you can take part in safaris or boat tours on the lake.

On-site procedure

Arrival in Entebbe

You fly to Entebbe Airport for your work with gorillas in Uganda. There you will be picked up by a team member and together you will go to the office of your deployment site, which is also located in Entebbe. The journey only takes about 15 minutes. Over the next few days, you will be given an introduction to the work at your assignment site and your tasks in the project in the Entebbe office, and you will be introduced to the other team members.

Orientation program in Entebbe

Before things really get going and your project work in the park begins, our team will prepare you for your on-site assignment. The program usually takes place over two mornings.

You will receive information about your tasks and activities in the project as well as the customs of your host country so that you can settle in well in your new environment. For example, you can explore the city with the team, buy a local SIM card or learn certain rules of conduct.

Your first day in the project

After the orientation program in Entebbe you continue to the protected area. The bus ride there takes about 10 hours. Alternatively, there is a flight from Entebbe to Kihihi once a day. You must bear the travel or flight costs yourself. You will get to know your contacts on site and become familiar with the area. Depending on how much previous knowledge you have and depending on the assessment and needs of the local specialists, you will be slowly introduced to the work or you will soon be assigned your own tasks.

Pricing

base fee

€ 2.690, -

2 weeks of participation
extension week

€ 690, - / week

up to 10 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
Non-binding flight advice
Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
RGV t-shirt

On site

Orientation program with the team on site
Support and guidance from the on-site team
RGV 24h emergency number
Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
Accommodation at the job site

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After return

Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
Reflection course on your experiences abroad
Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion

useful additional services

not included
Services

Round trip
Private expenses on site
Excursions with microlight flights
Travel and cancellation insurance
Visa and Vaccinations
All nights outside your agreed accommodation
Public transport and extra transfers

Transfer costs from Entebbe to the National Park

Drinks

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.

" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.

Personal development introductory course

Free of charge

Two tools to get you started on your personal development

RGV FAQ
to the project

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What visa do I need for Uganda?

You need a tourist visa for Uganda. You can apply for this online in advance. You will then receive the visa upon arrival, where you will also pay the visa fees (about €50). The visa is valid for 90 days.

An extension is possible on site and costs about 100 €.

What language skills do I need for the project in Uganda?

A good knowledge of English is required, and a Luganda language course is also recommended.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need for Uganda?

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

What are the requirements for the animal welfare project?

There are no special requirements for participation. What is important is having fun working with animals and being interested in animal welfare. Good physical fitness is often an advantage.

What do I have to bring?

For this project you need:

Robust clothing that covers shoulders and knees in muted colors
lab coat
Good hiking boots
rubber boots

What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?

Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Uganda? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

Get involved in a national park in Uganda

More projects you too might be interested

Are you not sure yet? Think about whether a spontaneous assignment as a volunteer abroad is the right choice for you or whether you would like to Voluntary social year (FSJ) abroad want to decide.

With RGV you achieve flexible volunteer work in different countries worldwide. Maybe there is one too Internship abroad the ideal choice for you to gain valuable experience abroad.