Sustainable Sanctuary

About Us

We are an English-Spanish family, and you are invited to join us and take part in a fusion of at least two languages and cultures. At our sanctuary we are creating a space which can be stimulating and sustainable for both flora and fauna. Clare and partner Chico have a wide variety of experience and skills between them. Chico the native Spanish speaker runs the gardens and building projects and has dedicated his life's work do developing skills in nature. He also enjoys the horses and is relatively recently self- and horse-taught. Clare runs the horsemanship classes and has been around horses for over 30 years.

We live in a village of 150 people in the mountains. It is friendly and intimate. Even if you don't speak any Spanish, you will be welcomed as if you do.

Work is often physically hard and although we welcome people from all experiences a hard-working attitude fits best here. Please let us know before booking if you have specific needs or disabilities so we can discuss the possibilities. You will be joining a family with animals and children. It is essential that you like these as they all join in every area of our lives!

Volunteers vary in number, age and background all through the year. Our youngest has been 14 years old and our oldest in their 60's. Sometimes we just have one, and at other times a group of ten or more! Please contact us if you are particularly interested in coming when we have a quiet time, or if you are looking for a more social experience. Younger volunteers are welcome with parents or guardians.

First thing in the morning we either drive or take a pretty 15 minute walk from the village to the finca. You can breakfast early before we leave, or take a break during work for a picnic breakfast (you prepare this yourself). We are flexible! Usually when walking, on our approach we will hear the horses calling for their breakfast as they hear us arriving.

We have volunteers specifically taking care of the animals, whilst you will be assessing and designing the next step in our sustainability project to work on. We welcome ideas and skills you may bring to us, whilst Chico will share his knowledge and tips with you about working on the land here.

In summer we go home for lunch and a siesta, or stay and have a picnic and maybe a dip in the 'alberca'. We have a recent edition of an on-site outdoor kitchen so options are flexible! There is a pool in the village in summer. In winter we may stay all day, but start a little later and finish earlier. 

We have a similar routine on the afternoon. In the evening at home we can rest, use the internet, read, socialise, go to the bar, listen to music, cook.... .

Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant months to work in, but if you are visiting during the summer months be aware that temperatures can reach 45 degrees, and work needs to be started very early at day-break (or before) and continued in the evening, finishing and eating late. We fit into the Spanish way of life by taking siestas in the afternoon, which is necessary with the hours and temperatures. 

It can be very wet in the winter, but also sunny at midday! Temperatures can drop quite dramatically and as in most countries spring and autumn can be variable. You must be prepared with warm layers and waterproofs. There will be a packing list sent to you after booking.

Our projects are seasonally, financially and volunteer dependant. There are seasons to plant and seasons to harvest. Building and maintenance is all year round. Here is an approximate calender of work with vegetation :

Winter -

• December, January, and February we harvest olives and process them to make ecological olive oil. We also clear the land in preparation of new growth and fire protection. It is now the time to plant garlic, beans and various seeds.

• March, April, and May we prepare the ground in the gardens and other areas before planting vegetables. Weeding also needs to be done now around the crops which were planted the previous season.

• June, July , and August is the season to harvest the gardens of tomatoes, peppers, garlic onions etc, and  various fruit trees. We can eat them fresh, cook with them and process and store them for use later in the year.

• September, October and November we will still be watering the plants and planning and creating other projects around the finca.

Your stay here will provide you with memories and skills you will never forget! Atajate is mostly a very quiet village, but there are  festivals and parties that take place in all the villages at certain times of the year. The big water fight in Atajate is in August; there is a German beer festival in Jimera de Libar in October and mushroom festivals in November. In summer there are music and horse festivals, foam parties and more! The beautiful local ‘white villages' vary from 2000 inhabitants down to a population of less than 200 and are well worth a visit.

As well as the villages, there are towns to visit. Ronda is around 25km away and is on a main coast to city train route. It boasts a spectacular viaduct as well as many other historic sites and a variety of shops. After exploring these, the huge variety of cafes and bars will offer welcome refreshment.

If, however you prefer a break from civilisation then you will be in your element. The surrounding mountains, forests and river are beautiful, peaceful and watched over by soaring eagles. Close by there are natural sites to visit such as the Canyon of the Vultures. There are guided walks to vast caves with ancient cave paintings. A Palo-Christiano church is tucked away off the beaten track and an Arab tower is hidden in the countryside with not a tourist in sight.

The beach is approximately 1½ hours’ drive away, trips can be arranged at an extra cost on your days off, including beach and activity trips; visiting cities including Malaga and Sevilla; or special out of hours horse rides or camping trips. 

Transport: You can hire a car from Malaga, or there is a bus leaving every week day morning from Atajate to Ronda, and returning at midday. From Ronda there are regular buses to all major cities and many smaller villages. It may also be possible to hire a driver locally as a taxi service.