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Sri Lanka

Turtle Conservation and Exploring Sri Lanka

Assist on a turtle conservation project aiming to help boost local turtle populations. Help with cleaning turtles, protecting and maintaining hatcheries and explore different sights of Sri Lanka

Highlights

  • Volunteer to make a difference & support the sea turtle ecosystem in a positive manner
  • Play an active role in beach cleaning and promote responsible tourism
  • Gain first-hand work experience and bond with people from different parts of the world
  • Explore world-class beaches like Ahangama and Hungalle and witness the beautiful sunset
  • Enjoy river safari on Madu River
  • Enjoy a short tour of the famous sights of Colombo city
  • Participate in mangrove plantation activities
Erhaltung der Tartarughe en Forschung no Sri Lanka

Overview

If you have always wanted to play an active role in conservation programs, then now is your chance to be a volunteer and contribute meaningfully towards the wellbeing of the Sea Turtles thriving in the south-western coasts of Sri Lanka. In the recent past, excessive commercial fishing and poaching of turtle eggs by humans and predators have resulted in their numbers dwindling significantly and thus, these turtles are considered to be an endangered species. 

The main aim of the project is to monitor local sea turtle activity and conserve the local nesting sites.  It aims to make the public more aware of how endangered these beautiful creatures are and just how important it is to help protect them before it is too late.

Being a volunteer, you'll support the hatcheries through conservation efforts which are valuable for their sustainability, and also goes a long way in helping them financially as we pay these hatcheries a placement fee for each volunteer we send to them, which allows them to generate additional income. 

Volunteers in the program get involved in different variety of tasks such as :–

  • Checking salinity, PH value of water, checking temperature of the sand; Feeding the turtle
  • Cleaning the center
  • Beach cleaning
  • Mangrove plantation

Apart from the volunteer work activities, participants take part in activities and tours to explore Sri Lanka.Volunteers enjoy tour of Galle Fort, take a train ride to Colombo and enjoy a tour of the city, go to Madu river safari(1.5 hours); Visit Hungalle beach and see sunset, visit Kande viharaya temple and enjoy a beach barbeque.

The program is located in Kosgoda, which is a small town in the Galle District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It is situated on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, approximately 50 km north of Galle and 76 km south of Colombo. The town is known for its turtle nesting areas, where five (green, olive ridley, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback turtles) of the seven species of marine turtles' nest on the local beaches.


Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday - Welcome to Sri Lanka! You can arrive anytime between 7 am and 7 pm, and our project coordinator will be there. You'll be then transferred to Kosgoda by car/van.

Day 2 - Monday

  • 09:30am – 10:30am – Meet in Hotel Lobby, orientation and local language info
  • 10:30-11:30am –  Presentation about turtle conservation
  • 11:30-12:30pm –  Inroduction tour in the conservation center
  • 12:30-13:30 pm –  Lunch
  • 13:30-14:30 pm –  Pick up at 2pm to see stick fisherman, Tour of Galle Fort
  • 18:30-19:30 pm –  Dinner

Day 3 - Tuesday

  • 8:00-9:00 am –  Breakfast and pick up at 9am
  • 9:30-10:30 am –  Check salinity, PH value of water and check temperature of the sand; Feed turtle; clean the center
  • 10:30-11:30 am –   Clean the information board of the nest; Beaching cleaning; plant mangrove (specific work will be arranged bythe manager)
  • 11:30-12:30 pm – Continue
  • 12:30-13:30 pm –  Lunch
  • 13:30-14:30 pm –  Pick up at 3pm, go to Madu river safari(1.5 hours); Visit Hungalle beach and see sunset
  • 18:30-19:30 pm –  Dinner
  • Night Around 9pm (maybe more late) – go to beach for turtle patrol

Day 4 - Wednesday

  • 8:00-9:00 am Breakfast and pick up at 9am
  • 9:30-10:30 am Check salinity, PH value of water and check temperature of the sand; Feed turtle; clean the center
  • 10:30-11:30 am Clean the information board of the nest; Beaching cleaning; plant mangrove (specific work will be arranged bythe manager)
  • 11:30-12:30 pm – Continue 
  • 12:30-13:30 pm –  Lunch
  • 13:30-14:30 pm – Pick up at 1:15pm take train at 1:50pm at Aluthgama station. 2 hours train to Colombo; Simple city tour at Colombo (Galle face, Parliament building)
  • 18:30-19:30 pm –  Dinner

Day 5 – Thursday 

  • 8:00-9:00 am –  Breakfast and pick up at 9am
  • 9:30-10:30 am –  Check salinity, PH value of water and check temperature of the sand; Feed turtle; clean the center
  • 10:30-11:30 am –  Clean the information board of the nest; Beaching cleaning; plant mangrove (specific work will be arranged bythe manager)
  • 11:30-12:30 pm – Continue work
  • 12:30-13:30  Lunch
  • 13:30-14:30 Pick up at 2pm go to visit Kande viharaya temple
  • 18:30-19:30 Beach BBQ and give certificate

Day 6 – Friday 

  • 8:00-9:00 am –  Breakfast and pick up at 9am
  • 9:30-10:30 am –  Check salinity, PH value of water and check temperature of the sand; Feed turtle; clean the center
  • 10:30-11:30 am –  Clean the information board of the nest; Beaching cleaning; plant mangrove (specific work will be arranged bythe manager)
  • 11:30-12:30 pm  – Continue work
  • 12:30-13:30 pm – Lunch
  • 18:30-19:30 pm – Dinner 

Day 7 – Saturday 
After breakfast check out and continue your travels or continue the program for another week.


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 16 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.This project is also suitable for families. Children aged 5 years and above can actively participate in the project with their parent(s) or guardian(s).

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Living

Living

At Volunteering Solutions, we ensure that all our international volunteers are provided the utmost comfort so that they can have a home away from home experience while working with us. We ensure that your stay, meals and other personal requirements are looked after well.

Airport Pickup
Volunteers are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by the program coordinator himself who will then transfer you to the accommodation in Kosgoda. For any participants requiring the transfers at any other times or any other location, extra charges shall be applicable.

Accommodation

Volunteers are provided accommodation at a hotel in Kosgoda. Residents at the hotel enjoy some of the best amenities such as a swimming pool with stunning views of garden. All rooms are on double or triple sharing basis with other volunteers of same gender. Accommodation is very comfortable and not far from Kosgoda beach.

Orientation

A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your volunteering program. The Turtle Hatchery Staff will be actively involved in providing guidance and direction during the time our volunteers spend there. 

Meals

All meals are included from Mon – Friday. Only breakfast is provided on Sat and Sunday. Breakfast is provided in the hotel and for other meals volunteers are usually taken to other restaurants to savour Sri Lankan cuisine.

During Free Time

Although the trip itinerary is very extensive, however during any free time volunteers head out to the beach, just relax at the hotel or can head out to Galle Fort area and explore the historic area.


Dates

Dates

November

17

24

December

01

08

15

22

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $500
2 Weeks $799

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for ?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Airport pick up
  • Accommodation in Hotel on shared basis with other volunteers
  • All 3 meals from Monday to Friday breakfast at the hotel
  • Local transportation to project and tours
  • Project fees and management fees
  • All project activities and coordination
  • Trips and sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

What is not Included ?

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfare
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses
  • Return Airport Drop
  • Additional Local Excursions and Trips

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka?

Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?

For how many hours will I volunteer every day?

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country ?

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer programs?

Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?

Can I volunteer as part of a group?

Flights and Visa

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Sri Lanka ?

Will Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Sri Lanka ?

Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?

Where can I change my money in Sri Lanka ? Are there ATMs in Sri Lankan cities?

Which all places can I explore during my trip?

Health and Safety

How safe is Sri Lanka in general ?

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

Do I need to buy a health insurance?

Are there any other things that I need to be careful about?

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Sri Lankan alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ?


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