Live and Volunteer at a Wildlife Sanctuary in the Amazon
Wake to howler monkeys and spend your days helping the sanctuary staff care for rescued animals in the Peruvian rainforest. Prepare food, clean enclosures and build enrichment for animals on their way back to health. Stay 1–12 weeks with Globalteer, a UK charity.
20+
Years in Peru
1–12
Weeks, start any day
4.9 ★
Google & Facebook
UK & Peru
Registered charity
What Does a Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer Do in Peru?
You'll live at a rescue, rehabilitation and release sanctuary about 11 km from Puerto Maldonado, in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Most of the animals were rescued from the illegal wildlife and pet trade, or brought in after hunting accidents. They include howler monkeys, capuchins, birds and other mammals, and sometimes sloths. You'll work 6 to 7 hours a day, 6 days a week, with early starts, a break in the midday heat and one free day each week.
Animal care + Rainforest living + Amazon adventures
The animal care gives your stay its purpose. Life at the sanctuary gives it its character. You'll share meals with volunteers from around the world, learn about the rainforest from the staff who work there every day and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle. On your free day, take a river trip, walk a canopy bridge or relax in Puerto Maldonado.
Help prepare food, feed the animals and keep their enclosures clean, alongside the sanctuary's experienced staff.
Help build and repair enclosures, collect leaves and branches, and make enrichment that keeps the animals active.
Live and work with a small group of volunteers and the sanctuary staff, sharing meals and stories.
Spend your free day in Puerto Maldonado, take a river trip or canopy walk, or look for caimans on a night tour with a local operator.
- Preparing fruit, leaves and special diets for each animal
- Delivering food on the morning and evening feeding rounds
- Cleaning enclosures and refreshing water dishes
- Collecting leaves, branches and fresh food from the forest
- Building and repairing enclosures
- Making enrichment that keeps the animals active and curious
- Helping with general upkeep around the sanctuary
Is This Programme Right for You?
This Amazon wildlife sanctuary is the right fit for you if:
- You love animals and want practical work that helps rescued wildlife recover and return to the wild, even if that means keeping your distance
- You'd like to live in the rainforest, with simple facilities and wildlife all around you
- You're happy with early starts, physical work and hot, humid weather
- You're new to animal care – no experience is needed, and the staff train you from day one
- You understand that the animals' recovery comes first, so contact is kept to a minimum
- You'd rather book with a registered charity than a commercial company, with clear prices and no registration fees
Not sure it's right for you? Send us a message and we'll help you decide.
Impact & Ethics
Responsible Wildlife Volunteering
The sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and, where possible, releases animals back into the wild. It's run by its own experienced local team, and volunteers support their work with daily care and sanctuary projects. Your role is to help the staff, follow their guidance and strengthen the work that's already there.
Why the Amazon's Wildlife Needs Help
The illegal wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to animals in the Amazon. Monkeys, birds and other animals are taken from the forest to be sold as pets, and many arrive at the sanctuary injured, stressed or unable to fend for themselves. Others are brought in after hunting accidents. Volunteers help the sanctuary run day to day, so the staff can focus on getting animals healthy and, where possible, back into the wild.
Book With a Charity You Can Trust
Globalteer is a UK registered charity that has placed volunteers in Peru since 2006. We match you with the sanctuary, handle your booking and preparation, and stay on hand throughout your stay. Once you arrive, the sanctuary staff look after you day to day, and our team in Cusco is only a message away.
A Charity, Not a Company
We're a registered UK & Peruvian charity, not a commercial company, so there are no shareholders to pay. Your fee covers your stay and includes a donation to the sanctuary, and we publish independently examined accounts every year.
Happy Volunteers, Greater Impact
In our 20 years of experience, we've learned that a well-prepared volunteer makes the biggest difference. We help you prepare before you travel, and the sanctuary staff train and support you from the day you arrive, so you can settle in quickly and give your best to the animals.
Animal Welfare First
The animals' welfare always comes first. You'll follow the sanctuary staff's guidance on feeding, cleaning and enclosure care, so every animal is treated calmly and safely, with recovery and, where possible, a return to the wild as the goal. Contact with the animals is kept to a minimum to give them the best chance of success on release.
Gallery
Life at the Wildlife Sanctuary in Photos
Life in the Rainforest
Life at the Sanctuary
Days at the sanctuary start early and follow the rhythm of the animals. Between feeding rounds and projects, you'll share meals, swap stories and get to know the rainforest – and on your free day, there's plenty to explore around Puerto Maldonado.
Morning and evening feeds are the heart of the day – preparing fruit, leaves and special diets for each animal.
Howler monkeys, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, birds and, from time to time, sloths – each with its own story.
Simple shared rooms in a clearing in the jungle, with mosquito nets, cold showers and the sounds of the forest all around.
Where possible, rehabilitated animals are released back into the rainforest – the goal behind everything the sanctuary does.
Sloths are brought to the sanctuary from time to time, and the staff care for them until they're ready to return to the forest.
Work alongside the sanctuary's experienced local staff and fellow volunteers from around the world, sharing the work, meals and stories.
- Animal care and projects6 to 7 hours a day, 6 days a week, with early starts and a break in the heat of the day.
- Three meals a dayPrepared and served by local staff in the communal area. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
- Training and guidanceThe sanctuary staff show you what to do and support you throughout.
- Evenings togetherBooks, games and the occasional barbecue with the staff and other volunteers.
- Night caiman toursLook for caimans along the river with a local guide.
- Canopy walkwaysSee the rainforest from above.
- River trips and jungle walksExplore the forest and lakes around Puerto Maldonado with local operators.
- Puerto MaldonadoCafés, restaurants, shops and a very good ice cream parlour.
Before or After
Make the Most of Your Time in Peru
Puerto Maldonado is under an hour's flight from Cusco, so it's easy to add Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca or another of our projects before or after the sanctuary. These trips aren't part of your programme fee – just tell us what interests you when you apply and we'll help you plan.
Wonder of the World
Machu Picchu
Explore the iconic Inca citadel on a day trip by train or a multi-day trek from Cusco.
Add a Project
Volunteer in Cusco
Help on our Children's Project or Dog Rescue in Cusco, before or after your time at the sanctuary.
Floating Islands
Lake Titicaca
Visit the Uros floating reed islands on the world's highest navigable lake – an overnight trip from Cusco.
Choose Your Duration
The Longer You Stay, the More You'll See the Animals Progress
Stay from 1 to 12 weeks, starting any day of the year. In your first week you'll learn the routine and meet the residents. Stay longer and you'll take on more, get to know each animal's needs and see how they recover.
1 WEEK
Perfect Introduction
A taste of sanctuary life. You’ll learn the routine, meet the residents and help with daily care and projects.
2 WEEKS
Most Popular
Time to settle in. You’ll know the feeding rounds by heart and start to see how each animal is progressing.
3 WEEKS
Best Balance
Become a trusted part of the team, take on more responsibility and still have free days to explore.
4 WEEKS
Deep Immersion
A month in the Amazon. You’ll see animals recover, help with bigger projects and leave knowing the rainforest well.
Volunteer Schedule
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
You'll work 6–7 hours a day, 6 days a week, with early starts and a break in the heat of the day. You'll have one free day each week. This is a sample day – tasks change with the animals' needs and the season.
- 7amBreakfast
Start the day with breakfast in the communal area.
- MorningMorning feeds
Prepare and deliver the animals' breakfast, then refresh their water dishes.
- Late morningCleaning and collecting
Wash the food dishes, clean enclosures and collect leaves and fresh food for the monkeys.
- 1pmLunch and a break
Lunch together, then a rest before the afternoon.
- AfternoonLast feed and projects
Prepare and deliver the animals' last meal, and help with projects like building enclosures and making enrichment.
- 7pmDinner
Dinner together, then an evening of books, games, catching up with home on the Wi-Fi and the sounds of the jungle.
Where Will Wildlife Volunteers Stay?
You'll live on site at the sanctuary, in simple shared rooms in a clearing in the rainforest, about 11 km from Puerto Maldonado. Meals are cooked for you by local staff, the sanctuary team is always close by, and our team in Cusco is on hand throughout.
Included
Sanctuary Accommodation
Simple, comfortable rooms in the rainforest, shared with fellow volunteers.
- Shared rooms for 2–3 people
- Screens and mosquito nets
- Shared toilets and cold showers – welcome in 30°C heat
- Wi-Fi and electricity on site
- Communal area with books and games
- Bring a head torch – evenings in the rainforest are dark
Included
Meals
Home-cooked by local staff and served in the communal area.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
- Peruvian dishes with rice, potatoes and salad
- Fresh fruit and juices
- Vegetarian and vegan options available
- Other special diets catered for – tell us before you travel
- Meals shared with the team and other volunteers
Included
Airport Pickup & Support
You're met at Puerto Maldonado airport by the sanctuary staff and taken to the sanctuary.
- Airport pickup and transfer to the sanctuary
- Orientation and training when you arrive
- The sanctuary staff on site every day
- Our team in Cusco on hand throughout
- Help planning your travel before and after
Cost to volunteer in Peru
One Price. Everything Taken Care Of.
No surprise costs once you arrive. Your fee covers airport pickup in Puerto Maldonado, accommodation at the sanctuary, three meals a day, training and support from the sanctuary staff, and a donation to the sanctuary. Because we're a charity, there are no registration fees. Flights, insurance and optional trips are the main extras.
- Flights, including the domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado
- Visas (if needed)
- Vaccinations
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Free-day trips and tours
- Personal spending money
Hear From Our Volunteers
Real reviews from volunteers at the sanctuary and on our other projects in Peru, from Google and Facebook.
- The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here.read moreread less
Tony Moriarty×Tony MoriartyThe staff working there dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here.It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month in Peru to volunteer at two of the Globalteer programs- The Dog Shelter in Cusco and The Amazon Wildlife Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado. It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. I was picked up from the airport and the staff made me feel so welcome and at home. Being a young girl in a country like Peru, my family and friends were quite worried at first, as was I, however, I felt safe the entire time. I didn't have to worry one bit about the organisation of both volunteer groups, even though they were on the opposite sides of the country, it was an easy process with the staff being so quick and prompt in replies and helpful when I arrived in Cusco. I genuinely had an incredible time with so many life lessons and learning experiences taught throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend even if this is your first time overseas alone - as it was mine.read moreread less Tiarne Biviano×Tiarne BivianoIt was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month in Peru to volunteer at two of the Globalteer programs- The Dog Shelter in Cusco and The Amazon Wildlife Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado. It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. I was picked up from the airport and the staff made me feel so welcome and at home. Being a young girl in a country like Peru, my family and friends were quite worried at first, as was I, however, I felt safe the entire time. I didn't have to worry one bit about the organisation of both volunteer groups, even though they were on the opposite sides of the country, it was an easy process with the staff being so quick and prompt in replies and helpful when I arrived in Cusco. I genuinely had an incredible time with so many life lessons and learning experiences taught throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend even if this is your first time overseas alone - as it was mine.Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Perfect mix of authenticity and safety. Stayed with the best children and teachers and always felt so welcome. EVeryone also so patiently taught me Spanishread moreread less Crystal Moniz×Crystal MonizAccommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Perfect mix of authenticity and safety. Stayed with the best children and teachers and always felt so welcome. EVeryone also so patiently taught me Spanish - Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Spent 2 weeks at a dog rescue in Cusco, Peru. I highly recommend them!read moreread less Peter DiFrancesca×Peter DiFrancescaGlobalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Spent 2 weeks at a dog rescue in Cusco, Peru. I highly recommend them!Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!!read moreread less Katrina Baxter×Katrina BaxterAnyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!!Everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project!read moreread less Hannah Verity Stone×Hannah Verity StoneEverything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project!
- I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco for 5 weeks. I was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing at Picaflor and how well the kids and the community responded to the project. Furthermore, I was grateful for how helpful and welcoming the staff was. I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future!read moreread less Lauren Franklin×Lauren FranklinI had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco for 5 weeks. I was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing at Picaflor and how well the kids and the community responded to the project. Furthermore, I was grateful for how helpful and welcoming the staff was. I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future!
Personal Growth
What You Take Home from the Sanctuary
Wildlife Care Skills
Learn how rescued animals are fed and cared for, and why keeping your distance gives them the best chance of release.
Rainforest Knowledge
Learn about the Amazon's animals, plants and the threats they face, from the people who work to protect them every day.
Confidence & Independence
Living simply in the rainforest, adapting to the heat and working in a small team all build skills that employers value.
Friends Around the World
Share the experience with volunteers from around the world and the local staff, and make friends for life.
Volunteer requirements
Who Can Volunteer at the Wildlife Sanctuary?
Volunteering at the sanctuary is open to everyone aged 18 or over, with no upper age limit – whether you're taking a gap year, a career break or a sabbatical, travelling solo, as a couple or with friends. Travelling as a family? Children aged 12 and over can join you – just let us know when you apply.
01
Minimum age 18, or 12 when volunteering with a parent or guardian
02
Good English or Spanish is needed. No animal-care experience is required; training and supervision are provided
03
Travel insurance covering your full stay is highly recommended
04
Volunteers need reasonable fitness for physical work in hot, humid weather.
Before You Arrive
We've thought of everything, so you don't have to.
From the moment you book, you're supported – including advice on vaccinations, what to pack for the rainforest and how to get to Puerto Maldonado.
What to Pack
Puerto Maldonado is hot and humid all year, at around 30°C. We send a detailed packing guide: light, quick-drying clothes, long sleeves and trousers for insects, strong insect repellent, a head torch and clothes you don't mind getting dirty are the essentials.
Staying Connected
There is Wi-Fi at the sanctuary, and a local SIM or eSIM (Holafly or Airalo work well in Peru) gives you data when you head into town.
Arrival & Transfers
Fly into Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM), usually via Lima or Cusco. The sanctuary staff will meet you at arrivals and take you to the sanctuary; just share your flight details before you travel.
Health & Vaccinations
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you go. Yellow fever vaccination is generally recommended for the Amazon lowlands, and ask about malaria prevention too.
You can start any day of the week, all year round
Fly into Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM) – less than an hour from Cusco by plane – and share your flight details before you travel
You'll be met at arrivals by the sanctuary staff and taken to the sanctuary, about 11 km from town
On arrival you'll get an orientation from the sanctuary coordinator, with local information, advice and an introduction to the animals
After your induction and basic training, you join the daily routine alongside the staff
The sanctuary staff look after you day to day, and our Cusco team is on hand throughout.
You live on site at the sanctuary, in a quiet rural area outside Puerto Maldonado.
The sanctuary has a long-standing local team who know the animals and the forest well.
You'll always work under the guidance of the sanctuary staff.
Highly recommended. We can advise on suitable policies if you don't already have one.
Pre-departure guides, packing lists and advice from our team, so you arrive knowing what to expect.
Answers checked and updated October 2026.
How much does it cost to volunteer at the wildlife sanctuary?
What animals will I help care for?
Do I need experience with animals?
Will I handle the animals?
How many hours will I volunteer?
Where is the sanctuary and how do I get there?
What is the accommodation like?
What food is provided?
Can families or under-18s volunteer?
What can I do on my free day?
When is the best time to volunteer?
Can I combine the sanctuary with a project in Cusco?
Who looks after me during my stay?
Do I need vaccinations and travel insurance?
Can I fundraise for my trip?
 How to apply
How to Start Volunteering at the Wildlife Sanctuary
Tell us when you'd like to come and how long you'd like to stay. Our team will help with everything from your first question to your arrival in Puerto Maldonado. Here's how it works:
1
Ask us anything
Have questions first? Send Jim a message ↓ or email info@globalteer.org
When you’re ready, tell us your preferred dates and duration. Apply now →
3
We review your application
Our team will review your application and get back to you.
4
Secure your place
Once accepted, arrange a call with our team or pay a deposit to secure your placement.
5
Get ready to go
You’ll receive orientation guides and packing lists from us.
6
Final check-in call
A few weeks before your start date, our volunteer coordinator will call to answer any last-minute questions.
Ready to Make Your Move?
The animals are waiting – start your Amazon story today.
Join the volunteers who've helped rescued wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon on the road to recovery – and, where possible, back to the wild.