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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 with wildlife in Sulawesi? Our Travel Roots animal keeper program is at the forefront of Indonesia’s fight against wildlife trafficking, with the wildlife rescue centre receiving up to 100 rescued animals per year. As a volunteer you will play a crucial role in guiding these animals through rehabilitation and release, by preparing dietry requirment foods and providing enrichment aids for animals to enrich their lives in the rescue centre and help them to hone foraging instincts for survival in the wild.
Gain valuable field experience in animal care and ecology
Not only will you gain industry knowledge about the wildlife trade, you will also learn about the habitat, ecology and behaviour of the animal species under our care through animal observations and talks by in-house experts and pick up local flora and fauna identification skills.
Experience incredible wildlife encounters
You will have the chance to work closely with threatened and endangered wildlife species from the islands of Indonesia and understand why they need to be protected.
Immerse yourself in local Minahasa culture
Learn local culture and language as you live, work, and interact with the local Indonesian staff. On your off days, explore Minahasa by visiting some of the best dive and snorkel sites Indonesia has to offer, having a cultural exchange, scaling nearby volcanos, or going to a local dive resort.
Work in an intercultural, well-functioning team
Gain invaluable teambuilding skills through working with a diverse, intercultural team of volunteers and staff that hail from Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Understand global perspectives and learn how to work seamlessly as a team for the greater good of saving wildlife.
By volunteering on our Animal Keeper project in Sulawesi, you will:
Care for rescued wildlife in Sulawesi’s rich natural and cultural setting
Help protect iconic species and diverse ecosystems
Get hands-on with varied, meaningful daily tasks
Build transferable skills in animal care and gain real-world experience
Enjoy unique days from wildlife rescue to coral cleaning.
Explore local culture, nature, and adventure on your days off
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of an Animal Keeper Volunteer
Every day brings something new—from unexpected rescues to hands-on wildlife care. While no two days are the same, here’s what a typical day looks like at the centre:
6:00 AM – Morning Forage
Start your day collecting fresh leaves, fruits, and forest browse. Many animals depend on this natural diet, and it’s essential we gather the right materials early while it’s still cool.
7:00 AM – Morning Feeding & Animal Care
Prepare and distribute food to the animals—this includes everything from “jungle salad” for leaf-eaters to forest fruits for birds and deer. You’ll also clean enclosures and check water supplies.
8:00 AM – Volunteer Breakfast
Enjoy a well-earned breakfast at the volunteer house, usually freshly prepared with local ingredients.
9:00 AM – Enrichment Workshop
Get creative! Design and build enrichment items like puzzle feeders, scent trails, or natural toys to stimulate the animals and encourage natural behavior. These are used later in the day.
11:30 AM – Lunch & Midday Break
Take a break, cool down, and fuel up for the afternoon ahead. Relax at the volunteer house or in a shady spot around the centre.
1:00 PM – Bear Enclosure Clean & Setup
Assist with cleaning and resetting the sun bear enclosure. This includes removing leftover food, refreshing water, cleaning the pool, and placing the day’s enrichment items.
2:00 PM – Enrichment Delivery
Distribute the enrichment items you created earlier to various animals—watch them interact, play, and engage with your work in real time.
3:00 PM – Second Jungle Salad Feeding
Some animals require multiple feedings of fresh foliage per day. You'll help prep and deliver their second round of jungle salad.
3:30 PM – Coordinator’s Choice
Optional but rewarding: You may be invited to help with extra tasks such as:
Beach or property clean-ups
Gardening or planting
Ice block prep for enrichment
Collecting forest materials
Helping with new arrivals or enclosure repairs
You're never pressured to join, but these spontaneous activities are a great way to pitch in and learn more.
4:00 PM – Free Time
Once the animals are settled, the centre winds down. Volunteers can relax or explore:
Swim or snorkel at the nearby beach
Climb the viewing tower
Practice yoga or visit the local gym
Shop for snacks or visit the coffee house in town
Chill at the volunteer house with games, music, or a good book
7:00 PM – Night Safari (Optional)
End the day with a calm, torch-lit walk to feed the nocturnal Slow Lorises. Quiet and magical, this is a unique opportunity to experience wildlife after dark.
Days Off
Volunteers get regular time off to rest or explore the region—visit coral reefs, hike volcanoes, or take part in local excursions arranged by the team.
Every day is different—but always meaningful.
Whether you’re hand-feeding hornbills or crafting enrichment for macaques, you’ll play a real role in giving rescued animals the second chance they deserve.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Choosing to volunteer as an animal keeper with Travel Roots is more than just an adventure—it’s a powerful act of compassion that directly changes lives.
Every task you take on, from hand-feeding a rescued macaque to planting native trees, helps rebuild the fragile balance between wildlife and their environment. In Sulawesi, where illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and human conflict threaten countless species, your hands-on support becomes part of the solution.
You’re not just volunteering—you’re becoming a voice for the voiceless. Many of the animals you’ll meet have survived unthinkable trauma: poaching, the pet trade, or habitat destruction. Thanks to volunteers like you, they receive the care, nutrition, enrichment, and dignity they deserve.
Every jungle salad you prepare, every enrichment toy you craft, and every enclosure you clean contributes to their healing journey.
But your impact goes beyond the animals. Your presence also supports local education, empowers community engagement, and shows others that wildlife matters.
As you work alongside passionate staff and fellow volunteers from around the world, you’ll gain skills, friendships, and memories that stay with you for life.
Your Home in Sulawesi
Volunteers stay in a shared, welcoming volunteer house located above the Education Centre—just steps from where the action happens.
Sleeping Arrangements
You'll be staying in single-sex dormitories, each equipped with bunk beds and fans to keep things cool and comfortable. A third room is used by local staff, who may occasionally share the dorm space. While there's no air-conditioning, a combination of wall and standing fans helps maintain a pleasant temperature.
What’s Provided
Fresh bed linens and towels
Mosquito nets
Access to laundry
Limited Wi-Fi
Fridge and dry goods storage
Feel free to bring any personal comforts or supplies to make your stay even more enjoyable.
Shared Living Space
The communal area is relaxed and social, with sofas, dining tables, a small library of multilingual books, and plenty of board games. It’s the perfect place to unwind and connect with fellow volunteers.
Meals & Nutrition
You’ll receive three nutritious, plant-based meals a day, lovingly prepared by our local Indonesian staff. In support of our conservation values, meals are vegetarian, with occasional servings of fish and eggs. Fresh fruit, drinking water, tea, and coffee are always available.
Meals are usually served in the volunteer house or the nearby guest house, with a large fridge for storing personal snacks or perishables. Everyone is responsible for washing up after themselves—part of living simply and sustainably together.
Sustainable Living
We take sustainability seriously. You'll find:
Separate bins for recyclable items and animal-safe materials
A compost system for food waste
Leftover fruit and peels go straight to the babirusa—nothing is wasted
Living here means being part of a low-impact, eco-conscious community where every effort contributes to a greener future.
History
Located in a key hotspot for wildlife trafficking, our partners centre was founded to disrupt the illegal trade of animals being smuggled from Indonesia to the Philippines, and on to other parts of Asia. Sulawesi's proximity to these trafficking routes made it a major consolidation point for endangered species from across the archipelago, including Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua.
To enable enforcement of wildlife protection laws, the centre was established as a vital facility where confiscated animals could be safely housed and rehabilitated. It has played a crucial role in major raids, including those targeting the bush meat trade and the use of protected species in cultural artifacts. In 2010, following a period of restructuring, the centre became part of the broader conservation-focused Masarang Foundation.
Mission & Vision
The mission is to combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect Indonesia’s exceptional biodiversity. By supporting enforcement actions, caring for rescued wildlife, and raising awareness, the centre helps safeguard critically endangered mammals and high-risk species such as hornbills, cockatoos, turtles, and reptiles.
With Sulawesi being home to many endemic species and under constant ecological pressure, the vision is to create a sustainable, long-term impact — preserving wildlife, restoring ecosystems, and educating future generations on the importance of conservation.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fee Schedule
Duration Fee (EUR) Daily Equivalent
2 weeks €550 €39/day
3 weeks €700 €33/day
4 weeks €875 €31/day
5 weeks €975 €28/day
6 weeks €1100 €26/day
7 weeks €1200 €24/day
8 weeks €1300 €23/day
9 weeks €1400 €22/day
10 weeks €1500 €21/day
11 weeks €1600 €21/day
12 weeks €1700 €20/day
Payment Terms
Fees are due 30 days before your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
What's Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, immersive, and impactful experience:
✅ All accommodation in shared volunteer housing
✅ Three fresh, plant-based meals daily
✅ Airport pickup and drop-off (Manado International Airport)
✅ Flexible start dates and free date changes
✅ Expert guidance and training from experienced field professionals
✅ All daily hands-on activities and enrichment projects
✅ Welcome pack with all the essential and helpful information✅ Certificate of completion at the end of your placement
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ And so much more...
Your Investment in Wildlife, Conservation & Yourself
Volunteering at our wildlife rescue centre in Sulawesi isn’t just a trip—it’s an investment in your future, your passion for conservation, and a life-changing adventure that leaves a real impact.
Whether you’re building a career in environmental science, animal care, or simply seeking a meaningful journey that connects you to nature, this experience will stay with you forever.
Your program fees help directly support:
Rescue, care, and rehabilitation of endangered wildlife
Habitat restoration and enrichment programs
Local community education and conservation outreach
Employment and training for local Indonesian staff
Maintenance and development of ethical, sustainable rescue facilities
By joining us, you’re contributing to a future where wildlife can thrive—and becoming part of a global movement for change.
Where You'll Be – The Heart of Conservation in North Sulawesi
Nestled along the tropical coastline of North Sulawesi, your volunteering destination is perfectly positioned between lush rainforest and the sparkling blue waters of the Celebes Sea.
Just a short drive from the port town of Bitung and around 90 minutes from Manado International Airport, this peaceful sanctuary is where your journey begins. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of nature—birdsong at sunrise, waves in the distance, and the calls of rescued wildlife nearby. It's a remote but welcoming corner of the world, designed for focus, connection, and impact.
The volunteer base itself is tucked above our Education Centre, offering beautiful views, cooling sea breezes, and easy access to the jungle trails, wildlife enclosures, and conservation projects you’ll be a part of. While it feels wonderfully off the grid, you’re never far from friendly local villages, vibrant markets, and opportunities to immerse yourself in everyday life in North Sulawesi. It’s a perfect balance of wild adventure and authentic Indonesian culture.
Sulawesi – A Hidden Gem of Indonesia
Sulawesi is one of Indonesia’s most underrated islands, bursting with natural beauty, cultural diversity, and ecological importance. Shaped like an orchid and surrounded by coral-rich seas, Sulawesi is home to volcanic mountains, misty rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant reefs teeming with marine life. It’s a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers alike.
Whether you're snorkelling off black-sand beaches, hiking through jungle trails, or watching the sun dip behind distant peaks, this island promises unforgettable experiences every day.
What makes Sulawesi truly special, however, is its people. Warm, curious, and deeply rooted in tradition, the communities here are as welcoming as the landscapes are breathtaking. From the unique Minahasan culture of the north to the indigenous customs found across the island, you’ll find a rich tapestry of heritage and hospitality.
The climate is tropical year-round—think warm days, cooler nights, and the occasional afternoon rain shower that keeps the forests green and the air fresh. It’s the kind of destination that stays with you long after you’ve left.
With so much to experience at your volunteering destination, you will be surrounded by volcanic peaks, coral-rich waters, and lush jungle, Pantai Tasik Oki is the perfect base for nature, culture, and adventure in North Sulawesi.
Beach Days at Pantai Tasik Oki – Swim and relax on the peaceful black-sand beach with views of Lembeh Island.
Snorkeling Tours in Lembeh Strait – Discover rare marine life and vibrant corals in one of the world’s top underwater ecosystems.
Volcano Treks to Mount Klabat & Mount Dua Saudara – Hike to sweeping summit views from North Sulawesi’s tallest peaks.
Mangrove Kayaking in Tanjung Merah – Glide through calm mangrove forests and spot native birds and marine life.
Waterfall Adventures in Kima Atas & Batu Putih – Trek to jungle waterfalls perfect for a cool swim in natural pools.
Cultural Tours in Sawangan & Airmadidi – Explore ancient Minahasan sites, traditional crafts, and local village life.
Night Safaris in Tangkoko Reserve – Spot tarsiers, slow lorises, and other rare nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
Local Markets & Food Tastings in Bitung – Taste traditional Minahasan dishes and tropical fruits at Pasar Girian and local warungs.
Wildlife Photography in Tangkoko & Lembeh – Capture stunning images of rare wildlife and coral reefs with expert local guides.
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