Elephant conservation vacation in Sri Lanka
Highlights
Sri Lanka elephants | Volunteering with established elephant conservation charity | Near Wasgamuwa National Park | Elephant surveys | Rural Sri Lankan villages | Observe elephants at waterholes | Wildlife photography | All meals provided
Travel Team
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Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
The importance of the projectAsian elephant numbers have been falling dramatically for the last 100 years, in part due to human-elephant conflict. This project is the first participatory, community-based, elephant research and conflict resolution project in the world.
Protecting the world
We are passionate about encouraging our travelers to be kind to the environment as they travel. Each participant receives advice about how to care for the environment whilst they are away. This includes water usage, how to avoid single use plastic, and electricity usage.
We insist that all participants bring their own water bottles when they travel with us, and clean free water is always available. We have even created a water bottle that can be purchased before departure and encourage people to use it at all stages of their journey including at the airport, on flights and whilst on their project. We are striving for all of our projects to be free of single use plastic.
The Impacts of this Trip
Meeting local needs
As well as helping to protect elephants and other animals, this project is mainly focussed on helping to improve human - elephant conflict issues. Elephants, traditionally able to roam where they pleased through the wild, are now having to forage for food in fields and homes. Locals find this hard to live alongside, and this project strives to understand more about the elephants' behaviour so that more farms will be protected. Projects to put elephants off going into farmland are completed, such as planting orange trees around field boundaries to protect crops- elephants hate oranges!
Cultural sensitivity
We emphasise the importance of showing respect for local people and their customs in our briefing material. Participants will work alongside permanent staff, forming close bonds and getting an insight into real life in rural Sri Lanka. We have weekly arrivals, which minimises the environmental and social impact that the participants have on the destination and helps them to integrate into the local community.
The importance of the projectAsian elephant numbers have been falling dramatically for the last 100 years, in part due to human-elephant conflict. This project is the first participatory, community-based, elephant research and conflict resolution project in the world.
Protecting the world
We are passionate about encouraging our travelers to be kind to the environment as they travel. Each participant receives advice about how to care for the environment whilst they are away. This includes water usage, how to avoid single use plastic, and electricity usage.
We insist that all participants bring their own water bottles when they travel with us, and clean free water is always available. We have even created a water bottle that can be purchased before departure and encourage people to use it at all stages of their journey including at the airport, on flights and whilst on their project. We are striving for all of our projects to be free of single use plastic.
The Impacts of this Trip
Meeting local needs
As well as helping to protect elephants and other animals, this project is mainly focussed on helping to improve human - elephant conflict issues. Elephants, traditionally able to roam where they pleased through the wild, are now having to forage for food in fields and homes. Locals find this hard to live alongside, and this project strives to understand more about the elephants' behaviour so that more farms will be protected. Projects to put elephants off going into farmland are completed, such as planting orange trees around field boundaries to protect crops- elephants hate oranges!
Cultural sensitivity
We emphasise the importance of showing respect for local people and their customs in our briefing material. Participants will work alongside permanent staff, forming close bonds and getting an insight into real life in rural Sri Lanka. We have weekly arrivals, which minimises the environmental and social impact that the participants have on the destination and helps them to integrate into the local community.
1 Reviews of Elephant conservation vacation in Sri Lanka
Reviewed on 12 Mar 2018 by Julie Marshman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
To experience the rare opportunity to work with the amongst the most amazing scenery that I have ever seen.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The journey to the Field House is a long but beautiful one. The Field House is basic, rustic but very comfortable and surrounded by amazing scenery.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes most definitely, the placement is amongst a local village, and the local villagers appreciated the efforts made by the volunteers.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would highly recommend this trip, whatever your age. It is the best volunteering trip I have ever experienced.
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