Join a small group volunteering program deep in the Brazilian Amazon, centered around the conservation and study of the Amazon pink river dolphin (boto), one of the rainforest’s most iconic and mysterious species. Your journey begins at a remote jungle camp on a tributary of the Rio Negro, around 1.5 hours by speedboat from Manaus. From this base, you’ll travel to carefully selected river and forest locations where botos are known to live and feed, combining field research with immersive life in the Amazon.
Working alongside experienced jungle guides, local experts, and conservation practitioners, volunteers take part in hands-on research aimed at better understanding river dolphin behaviour, habitat use, and the wider freshwater ecosystem they depend on. The project brings together biodiversity monitoring, conservation action, cultural exchange, and meaningful engagement with the Amazon environment.
At the heart of the program is the protection of freshwater ecosystems that sustain the boto. Volunteers help collect data on river dolphins and other key species, contributing to an open, long-term biodiversity project used for scientific research and environmental education. By understanding the health of the rivers, fish populations, and surrounding forests, the project supports broader efforts to protect the boto’s habitat.
The work also extends beyond research. Volunteers support river and forest clean-ups, help raise awareness in nearby communities about the importance of river conservation, and contribute to low-impact, sustainable eco-tourism initiatives that provide alternatives to activities harmful to wildlife.
Daily activities vary depending on water levels, season, and research focus, but typically include observing and documenting pink river dolphins, identifying wildlife and plant species, conducting biodiversity surveys, and uploading findings to the project database. You’ll also learn basic field research techniques, river navigation skills, and jungle tracking, alongside informal environmental education visits with local communities.
No scientific background is required, all training is provided in the field. What matters most is curiosity, teamwork, and a willingness to learn and adapt to life in a remote rainforest environment.
Beyond conservation work, the program offers unforgettable Amazon experiences that deepen your understanding of the boto’s world. These may include respectful encounters with wild pink river dolphins, traditional fishing techniques, guided jungle walks and night safaris, and a full-day jungle survival course led by local experts. Each experience helps reveal how people, rivers, and wildlife have coexisted in the Amazon for generations.
Volunteers are expected to be open-minded, flexible, and engaged, ready to work as part of a team and embrace the challenges and rewards of jungle life. A detailed kit list will be provided in advance, and essential camp equipment such as hammocks and mosquito netting is supplied.
This is more than a volunteering program, it’s an opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of the Amazon pink river dolphin while living, learning, and working deep within its natural habitat.
