Ethical Volunteering Adventure in Sri Lanka
Make a difference: Join SLWCS for an Ethical
Volunteering Adventure in Sri Lanka!
SLWCS & Ethical Voluntourism
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) is a conservation pioneer offering ethical volunteer holidays to adventurers, families, retired persons, and more.
Support real conservation efforts, experience authentic Sri Lankan culture, and be closer to nature than ever before.
SLWCS helps visitors from around the world enjoy ethical and sustainable holidays in Sri Lanka that make a real and direct impact on conservation efforts. Originally founded to develop practical solutions to environmental, climate, biodiversity, wildlife-human conflicts, and other problems in rural Sri Lanka, the SLWCS continues its mission by engaging volunteers in hands-on conservation projects.
Since 2002, SLWCS volunteers have been helping to track wild elephants, restore natural habitats, and preserve Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity on bespoke 1- or 2-week trips built around their interests, physical capabilities, and comfort requirements. Funds raised through these programmes go directly to elephant, sloth bear, leopard and other species conservation.
Key Areas
- Marine Wildlife Research
- Elephant Tracking & Observation
- Biodiversity Surveys
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Education
- Eco-Farming & Sustainable Agriculture
Sri Lanka Volunteer Holiday Packages
The SLWCS voluntourism packages offer volunteers the chance to engage in terrestrial wildlife conservation at the Wasgamuwa National Park, marine conservation in the Kalpitiya Peninsula, or a combination of the two. While most volunteers prefer 1- or 2-week stays, the SLWCS can make accommodations for stays of up to several months.
All of their packages involve a wide array of conservation and educational activities designed around the volunteers’ interests and abilities—for example, the family and elder volunteer programmes include private accommodation and less strenuous conservation activities when compared to the more active adventurers package.
The packages below describe their terrestrial volunteer packages. For more information on their marine conservation programmes, please reach out to SLWCS directly.
Please note that flights and insurance are not included in any SLWCS voluntourism packages and need to be arranged privately.
Ideal for: Solo travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure travel seekers who want the most authentic Sri Lankan conservation experience. Volunteers will be fully immersed in the local communities, sharing their homes, food, and lives for the duration of their stay.
Accommodation: The same jungle camps and field stations used by local conservationists.
Physical requirements: Moderate to high, includes trekking and night safaris.
Activities: Elephant foraging viewings, camera trapping, biodiversity research, night safaris, and more.
Interaction with wildlife: Extensive fieldwork, including elephant monitoring and nocturnal wildlife research.
Ideal for: Solo travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure travel seekers who want an authentic Sri Lankan conservation experience, but wish to return to private accommodations instead of a Field House at the end of the day.
Accommodation: Private room with an ensuite bathroom. The accommodations are private, clean, safe, and comfortable.
Physical requirements: Moderate to high, includes trekking and night safaris.
Activities: Elephant foraging transects, camera trapping, biodiversity research, night safaris, and more.
Interaction with wildlife: Extensive fieldwork, including elephant monitoring and nocturnal wildlife research.
Ideal for: Families with children looking for a holiday unlike any other; one that leaves a lasting impression on every member of the family. Our experiential family programmes offer a real opportunity for quality family time and bonding.
Accommodation: Private family room or double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The accommodations are private, clean, safe, and comfortable.
Physical requirements: Flexible, with activities suited for volunteers of all ages and physical abilities.
Activities: Wildlife observation, tree hut stays, village hikes, butterfly sanctuary work, and more.
Interaction with wildlife: Jungle treks, hands-on monitoring of elephants, night safari, tree hut wildlife.
Ideal for: Individuals over the age of 50 seeking an immersive conservation and cultural immersion experience in Sri Lanka.
Accommodation: Eco-lodge with a private bathroom. The accommodations are humble but private, clean, safe, and comfortable.
Physical requirements: Flexible, with a mix of light fieldwork and cultural activities.
Activities: Elephant tracking, biodiversity surveys, tree hut stays, Sri Lankan cooking class, cultural immersion programmes, and more.
Interaction with wildlife: Close observation of elephants, wildlife tracking, and biodiversity monitoring.
Book your Sri Lankan adventure through Etikora and you’ll get a £25 Etikora Voucher for solo bookings and a £50 Etikora Voucher when you book for two or more persons travelling. Spend it on any of our useful travel essentials (or anything you like!)
For more information on any of these volunteer programmes or packages or to start your Sri Lankan adventure, please complete the contact form below:
Etikora’s relationship with the SLWCS
The SLWCS embodies so many of the principles that Etikora stands for—environmental responsibility, fair and equitable distribution of income, an appreciation for ethical and sustainable practices, and a commitment to protecting wildlife and local communities.
Our support for the SLWCS is also deeply personal. Etikora’s CEO has strong ties with the organisation and has experienced one of their jungle camp trips firsthand—an experience he thoroughly recommends.
Through our support of the SLWCS, Etikora helps to promote conservation-driven tourism that benefits both people and nature.
Etikora and SLWCS CEO’s enjoying a field trip together in the jungle
