2 - 52 weeks
from € 1.250
Hungary

Wildlife and animal protection in Hungary

  • life in the village community
  • Surrounded by nature
  • animals in the wild

With this wonderful volunteer work you support an animal protection project in Hungary with your commitment. You will train and work with different animals, feed and care for them and spend time with them so that they feel comfortable and are well. There are currently over 150 animals in the reserve, such as reptiles, mammals and birds. Since the project does not receive any help from the state, you are asked. With your volunteer work, you contribute a significant part to the health and well-being of the animals as well as to education about animal and nature protection.

Location icon Hungary
Minimum age icon from 16 years
Icon Duration 2 - 52 weeks / from €1.250
Departure days icon Wednesday, Sunday
SDG 15 - Life on Land
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-UN307

As a volunteer
Hungary

2 - 52 weeks / from €1.250
to the cost overview

Hungary animal welfare project

What's the matter?

The operation site in Baranya has existed since 2018 and is located in the south of Hungary. The project currently cares for over 150 animals, such as birds, fish and reptiles. Since the project does not receive any government support, the support of volunteers is needed to help the animals and to make the place beautiful for both the animals and the people.

The goal of this project is to provide a temporary or permanent home for exotic animals that have been abused, abandoned or left at the facility's doorstep. It's about educating the animals and caring for them so that they can one day be released back into the wild. It is also important to educate the local population that exotic animals are not pets.

Your tasks as a volunteer

The tasks in the project are diverse. Of course, you will take care of the animals every day so that they feel comfortable. You prepare the food and clean their enclosures. You will also support the team with animal training to make veterinary checks and movements as stress-free as possible. You are also welcome to go out with dogs. It is also very important to keep everything clean, both for the animals and the visitors. You can also educate visitors about the place and the animals by raising their awareness of conservation. Due to the fact that the refuge is located in the countryside, there are also gardening tasks. Also, from time to time, the enclosures need to be repaired or new ones built as new animals arrive. Finally, you will occasionally assist with veterinary check-ups.

Your day usually starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 17:00 p.m. There is a one-hour lunch break and two short breaks at 10:00 a.m. and 15:00 p.m. in the afternoon. You always work in a team for your own safety. However, you can also do some tasks yourself, such as cleaning the animal kitchen or preparing the food. Depending on the number of volunteers, 1 - 5 teams work. Each team specializes in one area. For example, one day one team takes care of the dogs, while the other team is responsible for training the animals in the sanctuary. The tasks are changed within the teams every day and since there are five working days a week, you can do all activities during this week.

Accommodation Catering

Your accommodation in Baranya in Hungary

At the Volunteer House in Baranya

Your accommodation is located directly at the place of deployment. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms (with hot showers), a toilet and a kitchen. 

Games, WiFi and chilling

WiFi is available. A maximum of 12 volunteers can be accommodated in the accommodation, there are four beds in each bedroom and boys and girls sleep separately. There are many entertainment options in the living room, as there is a Playstation 3, a DVD player, board games, books, a television and a games table with a pool, air hockey, table tennis and mini football. A refrigerator and a kettle are also available to cool drinks and snacks or to make tea and coffee without having to go to the kitchen. In front of the guest house there is a veranda where you can chill out and a garden where some of the dogs are. In winter, extra blankets and a radiant heater are offered.

Catering, shops and wild animals

There are three meals a day: breakfast and lunch, each cold, and dinner, which is cooked warm. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, please let us know in advance. The guest house and the protected area are located in a typical Hungarian village, which means that only one road leads into the village. The village is surrounded by nature and accordingly there are several hiking trails in the area that you can explore. In the village there is a small shop that provides you with the essentials and a pub. If you want to explore nearby cities, for example Pécs, the team offers you a transport option there. In Pécs, which is only half an hour away, you will find shopping centers, bars, restaurants, cinemas etc. In the village, in Pécs and the surrounding area, you can move around completely carefree because it is safe. You can also discover many wild animals in the evening and at night. Two members of the team live on the same street and are always there to help you.

Location

Hungary

Your project work in Hungary will take place in Baranya. The region is located in the southeast of the country and convinces with beautiful landscapes and rural tranquility.

The administrative center of Baranya is Pécs. The city has existed since Roman times and has been a World Heritage Site since 2000. Hungary's first university was also established in the region. The protected area in which our project site is located is in a village, surrounded by rural idyll and nature. Overall, the south of Hungary is often compared to Tuscany: Here you will find Mediterranean plants, hills, castles, warm winds and more. 

Baranya is definitely a good destination for those who like to discover exciting places off the beaten track. The region has a lot to offer, especially for nature and animal lovers!

On-site procedure

Arrive in Baranya

After you land at the airport, a member of the shuttle service will be waiting for you and take you directly to the accommodation in a company vehicle. The journey from the airport to the sanctuary, where your accommodation is located, takes about two hours.

Arriving at the Guest House, the manager of the project will greet you. Then you can put down your luggage. Then it's up to you whether you want to unpack first, rest, get to know the rest of the team straight away or look around the area and see the animals. Depending on what time it is when you arrive, you can eat with the others, go for a walk or relax in the accommodation.

Orientation program in Baranya

Depending on your arrival time, the orientation program will start on the first or second day and last about two to three days. It takes place at the facility. You will be explained the protected area, its origin and how it works. The animals and the different groups of animals are discussed and how they are cared for. Furthermore, the house rules and the correct behavior in the event of problems are explained.

Your first day in the project

After you have received all the necessary information, your work will begin with basic tasks such as preparing the feed, cleaning or giving the animals water. All of this will happen under the supervision of a team member or a volunteer who has been involved in the project for some time.

After a few days, other tasks will gradually be added, such as building new enclosures, gardening or helping with animal training. After some training with an animal species, for example mammals, you can then start working with the animals together with our experienced volunteers or a team member. A few days later you will then learn something about the reptiles and after some time you will implement it.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.250, -
    2 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 315, - / week
    up to 50 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 day of arrival
  • Accommodation in Volunteer House
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch 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
  • Airport transfer on departure day

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture 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.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance

Hungary Team
site

Your team in Hungary consists of the zoo manager Sharon and Andras. Sharon mainly takes care of the animals, the participants and the construction of the facilities. Andras helps the volunteers with their daily tasks and guides zoo visitors through the park. The two are a young and creative team and have an open ear for all your concerns.

Portrait team in Hungary

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.

Do I need a visa?

As an EU citizen and from Switzerland, you do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you have to apply for a residence permit in the first month at the location.

What language skills do I need for the project?

In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have good English skills.

Are there age restrictions for the project?

Volunteers between the ages of 16 and 40 can take part in this project.

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 the project, it is advisable to bring sturdy clothing that can get dirty and broken, as many of the animals like to play with hoodies, shoes and pants.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Hungary? 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

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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.

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