Just do it! The people are so friendly it’s so well organized and honestly it’s the best experience. :)
Wolf Conservation Volunteer Project in Portugal - Mafra
Want to join a pack of Wolf Conservation volunteers in Portugal? International Volunteer HQ’s Wolf Conservation project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to help at centers for wolves rescued from zoos, illegal trapping or human captivity. In a forested valley in Mafra, wolves live outdoors in large enclosures with the aim of providing them a life as similar as possible to what they would experience in their natural habitat.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of each month
- Affordable fees from CA$1806 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help rescued wolves live happy, active lives
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Experience Portugal’s diverse natural environment
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Stay in volunteer houses at a wolf conservation center
Key information
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who have a high level of physical fitness, who love animals and are looking to join conservation efforts while spending time in quiet, natural surroundings, often only interrupted by the howling of wolves. Most of all, you’ll be contributing to a greater environmental and animal protection mission.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Wolves are known for their wild nature, but many in Portugal are unable to live in their natural habitat after becoming reliant on humans to provide for them. Wolf conservation centers accept wolves from zoos, illegal trapping or other captivity, helping to nurse them to full health and enabling them to be active and happy. The wolves are housed in large outdoor enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible.
As a Wolf Conservation volunteer, local staff will guide you in your duties, though it’s important to note that you won’t have any direct contact with the wolves themselves. You’ll help with a wide range of tasks including:
- Feeding the wolves
- Animal observation and monitoring
- Clearing Eucalyptus trees and replanting native species
- Facility maintenance and upkeep
This is a unique project for those who want to volunteer with animals, where you’ll get to help animals that you may not come across at home.
Many tasks require medium to heavy physical effort, for example, carrying weights around 17lb/8kg. As the center is in a forested valley, the ground is irregular and with steep slopes, so you’ll need to be able to carry these weights while walking in such conditions. A high level of physical fitness is therefore required.
This project is available for durations of 2 or 4 weeks and is not available in December or January, as the conservation center is closed to the public.
Want to volunteer not just with wolves, but also with brown bears, otters, Euro-Asian lynx, deer, wild boars, eagles and lamas? Check out our Biological Park Conservation volunteer project in Miranda do Corvo, Portugal.
Why do Wolf Conservation volunteering in Mafra with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with wolves in Portugal you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving the lives of wolves rescued from captivity
- Supporting local animal welfare initiatives
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining wolf conservation experience
- Immersing yourself in Portuguese culture
- Exploring Portugal’s remote wilderness
Volunteer requirements
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Volunteers need to have a high level of physical health and fitness to join the Wolf Conservation project. Many tasks require medium to heavy physical effort, for example, carrying weights around 17lb/8kg on steep and uneven ground.
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Volunteers need to be 20 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 20, IVHQ offers other projects in Portugal which are open to younger volunteers, and also alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
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All volunteers must speak fluent English, are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Apply For FreeNot sure which program to join?
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IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Wolf Conservation project
IVHQ Animal Care project
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IVHQ Biological Park Conservation project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Food Rescue project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Biological Park Conservation project
IVHQ Upcycling For Social Good project
IVHQ Environmental Scuba Diving project
IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Food Rescue project
IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
IVHQ Upcycling For Social Good project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
LL
Lauren Loveman
10 Apr 2024
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BC
Beatrice Clover
10 Apr 2024
It was so easy to communicate with IVHQ and I liked the guidance and reminders they provided as I prepared. The team in Portugal were really really helpful and supportive. I felt like if I needed anything I could easily go to them for help or questions. I feel like I made a difference to the dogs I was working with. I also felt my confidence grew so much and as a person in general from meeting new people, cultures and experiences. I would definitely recommend it to people and say that you can't go in with any expectations - embrace as much as you can.
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LR
Lyndiana Marina Rumsayor
05 Feb 2021
I am from Indonesia and currently studying in Milan, Italy. I recently volunteered in Portugal on the Wolf Conservation project. My volunteer experience was marvellous. I worked with the team there everyday and it made me feel at home and helped me understand and love animals more and more. I made lifelong friendships with others volunteers and I had a great adventure when we explored Pena Palace. I will never forget this once in a lifetime experience.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Location
IVHQ’s Wolf Conservation project is based near the small town of Mafra. Mafra has plenty to offer visitors including the Royal Building of Mafra which includes a palace, basilica, convent, garden and hunting reserve all of which was built for King D. João V in the 18th century. The palace alone boasts hundreds of rooms and the buildings are stunning with their impressive Baroque architecture. The Hunting Park is now home to a wide variety of wildlife and is open to the public for a range of outdoor activities including walking, mountain biking, horse riding, archery and crossbow shooting.
The wolf conservation center is set in a steep forest valley out of town.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of every month, and volunteers need to arrive in Lisbon the day before their orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS). Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to travel with written consent from both parents or guardians in order to enter Portugal. Volunteers under the age of 18 who require a pre-arranged visa will also need their visa application to be signed by a parent or guardian.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Lisbon for orientation. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Portugal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a prearranged location in Lisbon on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Portugal team at the accommodation. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Portugal – an introduction to Portugal, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement.
After orientation on Monday, you will have Tuesday free to explore Lisbon and then will be transported to your accommodation in Mafra on the Wednesday.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
Volunteers on the Wolf Conservation Project will start volunteering on the Tuesday following their orientation. Start times and daily workload will vary.
A typical schedule:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | Project activities begin |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 3:00 PM | Project work continues |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner. After dinner, you can use your free time to relax or as you wish. |
Weekends
You’ll have your weekends free on the Wolf Conservation project. As well as being able to fully explore and enjoy the Royal Building of Mafra you can also relax in the town’s beautiful parks, on its excellent beaches, take a short trip to Ericeira which is a world-renowned paradise for surfers, or take a bus back to Lisbon.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers on the Wolf Conservation project will be accommodated in houses on-site in Mafra. As the houses on the Wolf Conservation project have limited rooms, volunteers are not able to be separated by gender. Volunteers should expect to be accommodated in mixed gender rooms with up to four other volunteers. These houses have fully-equipped kitchens and comfortable living spaces for volunteer use.
Meals
The Wolf Conservation project is self-catering with volunteers required to purchase and prepare their own meals for the duration of their stay. Volunteers will be provided with transport once or twice a week to the nearest town to obtain groceries and other supplies. Volunteers can cook together or individually and tap water is fine to drink.
IVHQ Wolf Conservation project volunteer house
Volunteer house living room
Volunteer house bedroom
Volunteer house kitchen
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 2 weeks | CA$1806 Equivalent to CA$129/day |
| 4 weeks | CA$2877 Equivalent to CA$103/day |
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$476) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers on Lisbon based projects and on the Wildlife Conservation project generally find US$65 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses. For those on the Wolf Conservation project, we recommend a weekly budget of US$150.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
Free-time experiences & tours in Portugal
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Portugal! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Portugal program.
Language Lessons
Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.
From CA$455
Language Lessons
Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.
From CA$455
Check what's required to visit Portugal
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Lisbon |
| Population | 10.46 million |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate: Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and mild winters. During winter, from December to February, temperatures are mild and vary from 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F). Summer, from June to September, is dry and hot with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 29°C (64°F and 84°F). Rainfall is heaviest in December/January and driest in July/August.
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