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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer as an animal keeper in Java, Indonesia?
Our Travel Roots Wildlife Rescue Center Animal Keeper Program is your chance to work hands-on with some of Southeast Asia’s most endangered species. Set in the lush hills of West Java, this program places you at the heart of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and daily care operations at one of Indonesia’s most established rescue centres.You’ll join the passionate local team as they provide food, enrichment, and medical care to over 60 species rescued from trafficking, habitat loss, or human-wildlife conflict. From preparing meals and cleaning enclosures to observing animal behaviour and assisting with enrichment design, your support is critical to the wellbeing and future of these animals.
Every task you take on—whether you’re planting crops at the organic farm or helping build a new enclosure—feeds directly into long-term recovery and rewilding efforts.
Key Volunteer Activities:
• Daily animal care – including food prep, feeding, and enclosure cleaning
• Creating and distributing enrichment to stimulate natural behaviours
• Monitoring animal behaviour and welfare
• Group teamwork sessions on habitat maintenance and larger projects
• Support with veterinary tasks such as health checks and animal transfers (when possible)
• Optional participation in the organic farm, helping to grow sustainable food for the animals
• Opportunities to assist with animal intakes, clinic support, or enclosure upgrades depending on current centre activityThis is not a “pet and play” experience—it’s real, gritty conservation work. But for those who want to make a meaningful difference and gain wildlife care experience, there’s no better place to begin.
By volunteering on our Wildlife Rescue Center Animal Keeper Program in Java, you will:
• Care for rescued Indonesian wildlife including macaques, sun bears, reptiles, and birds
• Gain hands-on experience in wildlife husbandry, enrichment, and behaviour monitoring
• Work alongside passionate Indonesian keepers and international conservationists
• Participate in real-world rescue, rehabilitation, and rewilding efforts
• Help fight illegal wildlife trafficking and support law enforcement
• Get involved in sustainability efforts like organic food production and eco-farming
• Experience authentic village life and the natural beauty of West Java
• Build practical skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and animal welfareWhat to Expect – A Day in the Life of a Animal Keeper In Java
As an animal keeper volunteer in our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Indonesia, your days will be immersive, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. From sunrise sounds of the jungle to winding down with your fellow volunteers in the evening, each moment is filled with purpose and learning.
7:00 AM – Morning Routine & Breakfast
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and birds before enjoying a communal breakfast with the team. This is your time to get briefed on the day's tasks and check in with the staff.8:00 AM – Animal Feeding & Habitat Cleaning
Start your morning work by preparing and distributing food to a variety of rescued animals—monkeys, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. Clean enclosures and help enrich their environments by adding new natural materials or puzzles to stimulate their instincts.11:00 AM – Health Checks & Observation
Assist with basic animal health checks under supervision, keeping careful notes and monitoring any behavioural changes. You'll spend time observing animals to ensure they’re adjusting well to their rehabilitative care.1:00 PM – Lunch & Downtime
Enjoy a hearty local meal and take time to relax, connect with fellow volunteers, or journal your experiences in the tranquil surroundings of the centre.2:00 PM – Enrichment Activities & Special Projects
Create and deliver enrichment tools (e.g. toys, feeding puzzles) that support the animals’ mental and physical stimulation. You may also assist with enclosure repairs, planting trees, or prepping for new arrivals.4:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Evening Care
Help with the final feeding of the day, tidy work areas, and join in a team debrief. Reflect on your day’s impact as the animals settle for the night.Evening – Free Time
Evenings are yours to relax—read, join a group dinner, or watch the stars from the heart of the Indonesian forest.Your Impact as a Volunteer
As a volunteer animal keeper, your daily tasks may seem small—but their impact is profound. Each meal you prepare, enclosure you clean, and animal you care for directly contributes to the health, comfort, and rehabilitation of rescued wildlife that have suffered from trafficking, habitat loss, or abuse.
Your support gives the dedicated team more capacity to focus on medical treatment, long-term care, and rescue operations. Many of these animals require intensive monitoring and enrichment to regain their strength and natural behaviours—and that’s where you make a difference.
By contributing your time and care, you also help reduce stress for the animals and improve their chances of eventual release or lifelong sanctuary living. At the same time, your work helps strengthen local conservation efforts and promotes a more compassionate future for Indonesia’s wildlife.
But the impact isn’t just external. You’ll develop real-world animal care skills, grow in patience and responsibility, and gain a deeper understanding of conservation ethics—leaving with more than just memories, but a sense of purpose and global connection.
Where do I sleep, eat and wash?
There are 2 (Male and Female) wooden long-house dormitories.
• In each dormitory are private partitioned sleeping areas with a bed and cabinet.
• Toilets and showers are Indonesian style – squat toilets and cold showers from a bucket.
• Our social area is a big wooden viewing deck overlooking the beautiful rice fields.
• Local food (Indonesian/Sundanese) is cooked by women from the village and is served for lunch and dinner. − Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be arranged as can other dietary requirements − Breakfast you have to arrange yourself.
• We provide a laundry service and daily cleaning of the facilities.
History
Founded in 2001, our local conservation partner is a non-profit organisation based in West Java that has grown into one of Indonesia’s most established wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. Originally created to assist in the care of confiscated animals from the illegal wildlife trade, the centre now operates as a multi-faceted conservation hub.
With facilities that support everything from wildlife rescue and conservation breeding to sustainable farming and environmental education, the centre has become a lifeline for hundreds of animals across Java. It currently cares for over 250 animals—including sun bears, gibbons, hornbills, orangutans, crocodiles, and other critically endangered species.
Many arrive in poor condition, having suffered from neglect, injury, or trauma. With veterinary care, enrichment, and expert rehabilitation, the centre helps these animals recover and—whenever possible—return to the wild.
Mission & Vision
The centre’s mission is to protect Indonesia’s native species while restoring ecosystems and promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. Their work is built on five foundational pillars: animal welfare, rehabilitation, sustainable living, education, and species conservation.
Animals that can no longer be released are given a permanent, safe sanctuary that mimics their natural environment as closely as possible. Beyond the centre’s rescue work, they also lead public education initiatives and community engagement programs to raise awareness and foster a future generation of wildlife protectors.
Through hands-on conservation, innovation, and compassion, the centre strives to create a sustainable future for both animals and people—where biodiversity is celebrated, protected, and given a chance to thrive.
The program fees are low in order to make the program as accessible as possible for everyone. Our fees simply cover the cost of your accommodation and food, with a small increment to help us cover the expenses of the center e.g. medicine, food and construction of enclosures.
Prices are as followed
1- 6 weeks = €163 p/w
6+ weeks = €147 p/w
3+ months = €131 p/w
5+ months = €115 p/w
Cikananga also help and process your visa to make your entire journey hassle free.
Visa fees
Our fees per person per week includes:
• 2 meals per day; Lunch and Dinner.
• Accommodation in dormitory (we provide pillows and blankets).
• Basic kitchen facilities e.g. fridge, toaster, cooking stove.
• Basic supplies e.g. drinking water, coffee, tea, sugar.
• Laundry service.
• Transport to Sukabumi town center once a week for shopping (car capacity dependent).
• And, of course, a very memorable experience!
Where You’ll Be – The Lush Hills of West Java
Tucked away in the rural heartland of West Java, the rescue centre is nestled near the town of Sukabumi—about a 5-hour drive south of Jakarta. Surrounded by dense forest, rice paddies, and traditional villages, this off-the-beaten-path destination offers a truly immersive Indonesian experience.
You’ll wake up to birdsong, fall asleep to the hum of the jungle, and spend your days working in the open air. Despite the remote feel, you’ll be part of a vibrant community of local keepers, conservationists, and volunteers from around the world. The setting is quiet, authentic, and purpose-driven—perfect for anyone seeking meaning in nature.
The centre’s location also makes it ideal for cultural exploration. Whether it’s visiting local markets, sharing meals with villagers, or learning Sundanese customs, your experience extends well beyond animal care.
Indonesia – Diversity, Culture, and Conservation
Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet—home to ancient rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and more endemic species than almost anywhere else. But with this richness comes responsibility. Deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trade have placed tremendous pressure on ecosystems here.
Java, the world’s most populous island, is a land of contrasts: vibrant cities and quiet villages, ancient traditions and modern struggles. It’s where conservation is most urgently needed—and most meaningful.
As a volunteer, you’ll step into a role that’s more than supportive—you become part of a growing movement to protect what remains and rebuild what’s been lost.
When you are not looking after the wildlife, you can explore a variety of activities that showcase the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage:
Waterfall Visits: Discover and swim in nearby natural waterfalls, some reaching heights of up to 100 meters.
Caving Adventures: Embark on guided tours of local caves, including a 1,500-meter-long cave suitable for vertical caving.
Tea Plantation Walks: Enjoy guided walks through the scenic tea plantations typical of West Java.
Bird Watching: Engage in birding activities to observe the diverse avian species in the area.
Local Cooking Lessons: Participate in cooking classes to learn traditional Javanese recipes.
Night Walks: Join guided night walks to experience the nocturnal wildlife and sounds of the jungle.
Cultural Excursions: Visit nearby towns such as Sukabumi for shopping and cultural experiences.
These activities provide a well-rounded experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local environment and culture during your volunteer stay.
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