I was nervous going into my experience because I had never of left the UK on my own before. I wanted to volunteer in Peru first but decided to volunteer in Lisbon as it was closer to home and to provide me with more experience of travelling alone before travelling further away. I am glad I did this because I fell in love with Lisbon and had a great experience volunteering. I did plenty of research beforehand and could not find a bad review of IVHQ and therefore was why I chose to volunteer with them. Everything was well explained and the accommodation was lovely, with food available throughout the day and lovely staff. This experience gave me confidence, cooking skills, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Would 100% recommend and even in the process of applying for my volunteer experience in Peru!
Wolf Conservation Volunteer Project in Portugal - Mafra
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Program fees
What's included
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
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 centres 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.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Wolves, known for their wild nature, often find themselves unable to thrive in their natural habitats in Portugal due to them becoming dependent on human care. Wolf conservation centers take in these wolves from zoos, illegal traps, or other forms of captivity, nurturing them back to health and ensuring they lead active and fulfilling lives. These centers feature expansive outdoor enclosures carefully designed to mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible.
As a Wolf Conservation volunteer, you will be guided by knowledgeable local staff. It’s important to note that for safety and welfare reasons, you will not engage in direct contact with the wolves. Your tasks will include:
- Feeding the wolves
- Monitoring and observing animal behavior
- Removing non-native Eucalyptus trees and replanting with indigenous species
- Maintaining and improving facility infrastructure
This project offers a unique opportunity for those interested in animal conservation, allowing you to assist with species that are rare or nonexistent in many volunteers’ home countries.
A significant amount of physical effort is essential; for example, volunteers are often required to carry weights up to approximately 17lb/8kg. The center is located in a forested valley with rugged terrain and steep slopes, requiring volunteers to have a good level of physical fitness to effectively handle these conditions.
The project is available for durations of either two or four weeks and is not available in December or January, as the center is closed to the public.
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.
Not sure which program to join?
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Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Portugal photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
This was a very good introduction to solo travelling for me and a good way to get to know Lisbon and its culture better.
During my trip to Lisbon, I had the chance to meet people from various countries and professions. Interacting with them helped me gain clarity on my post-graduation aspirations. Moreover, I conquered my fear of dogs by volunteering at an animal shelter. Previously, whenever a dog barked, I'd instinctively scream and flee. Yet, with the encouragement of shelter staff, I started approaching, petting, playing, and understanding these dogs' backgrounds.
Just do it! The people are so friendly it’s so well organized and honestly it’s the best experience. :)
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.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
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 centre 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 travelling 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 participating on the Wolf Conservation project in Mafra will be immersed in the heart of the action, staying directly on-site in cozy, fully-equipped houses. Expect to share mixed-gender rooms with up to four other volunteers.
Each house is equipped with a fully-functional kitchen and comfortable living spaces, providing perfect spots for relaxation and bonding with fellow volunteers. This setup not only fosters a tight-knit community atmosphere but also enhances the immersive experience of living and working closely with a team dedicated to wildlife conservation.
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.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately £269) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
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.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,248 Equivalent to $89/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,988 Equivalent to $71/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £269) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers on the Wolf Conservation project generally find US$150 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses, including meals.
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised 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.
- Meals
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Free-time experiences & tours in Mafra
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Mafra! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Mafra program.
Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.
Check what's required to visit Portugal
Safety and support
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
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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