Local Bear Sanctuary
Coordinator | Jen
Coordinator | Jen
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Working closely with sun and moon bears (no direct contact) and supporting an ethical organisation.
Safety for our volunteers, visitors, team members as well as the welfare of the bears is top priority. You will receive a complete induction and safety brief upon arrival.
Assisting our local team day to day! Get to know the Khmer language and get to know us.
You will volunteer with like minded individuals. Unlike other programmes we take a maximum of 7 pax at one time, your experience will be unique, immersive and one you will never forget.
Everyday is different! No two days are alike and the volunteer tasks change every day based on what is highest priority, if you have skills let us know!
You'll be helping our local bear care team look after rescued bears and maintain the sanctuary.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
Volunteering at Free the Bears sanctuaries offers an amazing & unique opportunity to join our experienced team and look after sun & moon bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
What will I be doing?
You'll be helping our local bear care team look after rescued bears and maintain the sanctuary. Your physical and financial contribution allows us to grow, develop and improve, year after year!
Activities include:
- Food preparation & distribution
- Providing sensory enrichment
- Assisting keepers in cleaning of forest enclosures and bear dens
- Creating/repairing bear hammocks.
- General maintenance & improvement to the center i.e. painting, sanding, repairs & gardening
Does it cost anything?
A fee is charged to cover general expenses including accommodation, meals and volunteer programme costs. In addition, a portion of the fee goes towards bear care at that sanctuary i.e. if you are volunteering in Cambodia, you'll help support the care of over 100 rescued bears! Fees vary slightly between countries to reflect local costs.
OUR SANCTUARIES
Each of our sanctuaries is gorgeous and yet uniquely different in their setting.
CAMBODIA: Cambodia Bear Sanctuary, Phnom Tamao
Free the Bears Cambodia is located within the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, home to over 1,200 animals of many different species, rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. It is the largest sun bear sanctuary in the world! Located one hour outside of the bustling city of Phnom Penh, you'll stay in a comfortable house just outside of the sanctuary.
With volunteer placements ranging from 3 days to 8+ weeks, there's an option for everyone. After volunteering you can explore Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat temples or take a trip to the mountains or beach in no time at all.
Typical day
Volunteers start at 08:30am until 3:30-4pm with lunch from 12-1pm.
- Food preparation & distribution
- Providing sensory enrichment
- Assisting keepers in cleaning of forest enclosures and bear dens
- Creating/repairing bear hammocks.
- General maintenance & improvement to the center i.e. painting, sanding, repairs & gardening
Free-time activities
Volunteers do not work on Saturdays or Sundays, how you spend your weekends is up to you. There is a set transfer to Phnom Penh on Friday afternoons for volunteers from the sanctuary each week which is a 1-1.5 hr drive from the sanctuary to the city.
From the volunteer house we can also arrange a private taxi to take you to Kep or Kampot which is 2-2.5 hrs away. Popular tourist destinations in Cambodia include Kampot, Kep/Rabbit Island, Koh Rong Island/Koh Rong Samoleom (the non-party island), Battambang (Bats), Kratie (River Dolphins), Kirirom National Park, Cardamom Mountains (Wildlife) or Siem Reap to see the famous temples of Angkor Wat!
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
CV
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
08:00
- 15:30
What's Included
VOLUNTEERS CAN CHOOSE A 5 DAY/ 12 DAY OR 19 DAY STAY.
Fees Include:
• Accommodation at the volunteer house throughout your stay. 5 DAY (MON to FRI) OR multi week includes weekends during placement dates.
• Breakfast daily and dinner Khmer style food (Mon-Thurs) included. Vegan/Vegetarian options available. Drinking water at accommodation and sanctuary.
• Transport between the volunteer house and the sanctuary Monday-Friday, plus entry into the park.
• Scheduled pick up/ drop off at set location in Phnom Penh city on Mondays at 7:45am (pick up) and drop off on Friday afternoons.
• A donation towards the ongoing running costs and development of the sanctuary.
• A once in a lifetime experience to work closely with our rescued sun and moon bears
Extension of stay is possible upon enquiry.
- Accommodation in a comfortable house approximately 7km from the sanctuary. Arrive Monday to depart Friday. We have 3 rooms with twin single beds and ensuite and 1 double room with ensuite. Double room is reserved for couples, volunteers will twin share/ same sex rooms.
- Breakfast and dinner at accommodation site per day. Lunch available to purchase at the sanctuary with dishes priced between 1$-8$.
- Drinking water provided at sanctuary and at
accommodation site.
- LUNCH NOT INCLUDED
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) in Phnom Penh. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cambodia.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Cambodia provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Cambodia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Cambodia.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Start days are always a Monday morning beginning with a pick up from Phnom Penh at 7:45am from our designated pick up location.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 3 weeks
Program fees
5 days
(min. stay)
$450
12 days
$850
19 days
(max. stay)
$1,200
Average fees
$536
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
FREE THE BEARS
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with FREE THE BEARS during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if FREE THE BEARS cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by FREE THE BEARS.
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Local Bear Sanctuary
You'll be helping our local bear care team look after rescued bears and maintain the sanctuary.
$536/week
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