Family Elephant Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka

“We have had such a wonderful week here with the team. The staff are all so friendly and caring, and go out of their way to provide the best experience for volunteers. Our trip was arranged by WorkingAbroad and Vicky was great at giving advice and information, as well as answering all my emails!

We have learnt such a lot about the huge issues of human – elephant conflict across Sri Lanka. The team are working so hard with local farmers and families to try to help improve the situation. A lot more work and funding are needed to help protect both the beautiful elephants, but also all the families living and working in the area. It has been very humbling to see how hard everyone works and to get a glimpse into the lives of a working farmer.

We are so grateful to Sarath and his wife for allowing us to visit their home, teaching us how to make traditional roti, and providing us with a wonderful meal. We were saddened to hear that an elephant has raided his crops the night following our visit. It really brought home the enormity of the situation.

The safari was the highlight of our trip, being able to see so many elephants in their natural environment with families all grazing and playing together. I have loved watching my children spending time together (without screens) and learning all about elephant conservation. The hotel was perfect and great for families. My children have got stuck in with all the activities, tried new things and lots of new foods (even the fussy one).

We have all fallen in love with Sri Lanka, its friendly people who all wave to us everywhere we go, and the abundant wildlife. Thank you, Ravina, Dewmany, Asi, Sarath and Dandimo for showing us so much, Chinkhaka for all the organisation, and every single person working here who have made our trip so memorable.” – Amanda (mother).

“It was amazing to learn about human – elephant conflict, nature and culture of Sri Lanka. All the staff here are so nice and friendly. All the locals always smile and wave. The activities are so fun here” – Zac.

“The experience working to protect and learn about Sri Lankan elephants has been incredible, especially the safari. The ability to be up close to wild animals is something that people dream of, and to learn about the behaviours makes me understand the life of these beautiful creatures. The staff here are lovely and a pleasure to work with, as well as the cooks and everyone else behind the scene are equally amazing. It is wonderful meeting new people and building new bonds and friendships” – Luca.

I stayed for two weeks with my brother and mum. We chose this place as we wanted to experience something different whilst also seeing some incredible things. This was definitely achieved as we felt a good balance of working and helping people was mixed with a lot of fun and sightseeing.

As the experience started we met the ladies that take care of the field house, this was an introduction to the amazing Sri Lankan hospitality here. All the staff and volunteers have definitely been a highlight as their personalities and dedication to the project have allowed me and my family to learn more than we thought we could.

Seeing elephants in their natural habitat has been an amazing experience, especially when it is followed by elephant dung washing. The opportunity to talk to local farmers and their elephant experiences has also been an experience that has changed my perception.

Although the field house is basic, it is clean and very well looked after. The food has been amazing and something we look forward to after the morning walk in the field. Overall this has been one of the best experiences of my life and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested.

This has been an unforgettable experience, for not only me but my teenage sons.

Every activity that we have done (from bird watching to dung washing) has taught us so much. The knowledge of the staff and their patience has allowed everybody to grow in confidence and learn new skills.

It has been an incredible honour to be allowed to see animals in their own environment, witnessing their interactions and day to day life.

For myself as a mum it has been great to see my boys learning about human/elephant conflict and different sides of the debate. The knowledge that they can take away from this experience is priceless.

Watching their faces as elephants walked within meters of them was again priceless.

This time will be remembered forever and spoken about for years to come. It has been a privilege, Thank you

The fieldhouse is basic but clean and the staff are amazing. The food produced is incredible and they are all so caring.

I wish I could bring more children here to experience this!

“You only get around 18 summers with your kids—so make them count.”

We reached out to Vicky, and from the very start, no question was too small, no detail overlooked. Her support has been incredible.

Now, standing here in Sri Lanka on our Elephant Conservation project, I can honestly say: this experience is beyond anything we imagined. We’ve immersed ourselves in the beauty and rhythm of Sri Lankan life—its rich culture, vibrant food, and warm, generous people.

From elephants bathing at dawn to the unexpected sighting of water monitors, rare birds, tiny deer and even black eagles—every moment has sparked awe and curiosity.

But more than that, this has been a chance to bond as a family, away from the noise. To watch my kids grow in confidence, compassion, and connection with the world—and each other—has been nothing short of life-changing.

Thank you for helping us create memories that will live in our hearts forever.