Volunteer Abroad Guatemala - Magdalena

Review - Wildlife Protection Project in Guatemala

Who we are

Hello, we’re Jana, Magdalena and Christina, all 20 years old. We’re a group of friends from southern Germany and, after finishing our A-Levels, we decided to take part in a volunteering project together. Since we had never planned or undertaken such a big trip without our parents before, it was clear to us from the start that we wanted to travel with an organisation. Especially as young women, it made us feel safer – knowing we would always have a reliable contact person abroad.

Choosing the organisation

During our search for a suitable organisation, we came across Natucate. It quickly gave us a trustworthy impression, as they not only prioritise the safety and well-being of volunteers but also choose their project partners abroad very carefully. This was particularly important to us – we wanted to feel that our volunteering work would really achieve something positive, even if only on a small scale.

Natucate, for example, does not offer projects involving children or programmes that promote direct interaction with wild animals (such as petting), as these often cause more harm than good for both people and animals. We could read about these policies regarding project selection in several blog posts on their website. This transparency further strengthened our trust in the organisation.

Our contact person

From the very beginning, we had a personal contact, Meghan, who patiently and honestly answered all our many questions and put a lot of our concerns to rest. Through regular e-mail exchanges and several phone calls, we had plenty of time to get to know both her and Natucate and to form an impression. Ultimately, we decided on a wildlife conservation project in Guatemala, where we volunteered for one month, from mid-February to mid-March.

Meghan was a huge help in all aspects of planning – from booking our flights to providing us with a detailed packing list. Even during our outward and return journeys, she was available to us at all times. When our connecting flight from Guatemala to Mexico was suddenly cancelled, she supported us and helped arrange a new one – even though that wasn’t really part of her responsibilities.

The wildllife project in Guatemala

Looking back, we made an excellent choice with the project in the Petén region. We lived and worked for four weeks with the wildlife conservation organisation and really enjoyed our time there. Although many things were new at the beginning (climate, basic accommodation, etc.), the month gave us enough time to settle in and meet lots of kind and open people. Whenever small issues arose, there was usually someone among the staff ready to listen and help.

Our tasks in the wildlife project

Our main tasks involved feeding the tropical birds (mostly parrots) and cleaning their enclosures. Between shifts, we often worked on “enrichment” – toys and activities for the animals, sometimes even for big cats. For example, we knotted or braided small balls made of leaves filled with food.

These activities were meant to make the animals’ environment more stimulating, allow them to practise their natural instincts, and prepare them for life back in the wild. Beyond our daily tasks, there were also opportunities to gain a better understanding of the project and of wildlife conservation in general.

In addition to the morning meetings after breakfast, which provided space to ask plenty of questions, we were given a short tour of the quarantine station (normally off-limits to volunteers). There, we had the chance to talk with the long-serving biologist, who offered fascinating insights.

Free time and excursions in Guatemala

In our free time, we often went on excursions together with other volunteers, employees and interns. We visited the nearby town of Flores, spent time at the Rope Swing (a small and beautiful bar on the water where you could swing into the lake), and even did a day trip to Tikal. These experiences enriched our stay in Guatemala even further.

Conclusion: Volunteering project in Guatemala

All in all, we had a wonderful time and can warmly recommend Natucate.

Best wishes, Jana, Magdalena & Christina