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Fundación Loros
Three rescued Amazon parrots perched on a forest branch at the wildlife sanctuary near Cartagena, Colombia

Volunteer experience at a parrot and macaw sanctuary · near Cartagena

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Volunteer experience at the sanctuary: a day inside the real process of giving a parrot back its sky.

The parrots and macaws that arrive at Fundación Loros come from cages, seizures, abandonment. Each one has a story, a wound to heal, and a right still owed: to fly again. This volunteer experience is not a guided tour — it's a real working day alongside the team, inside the process that takes each individual from captivity to candidate for freedom.

The day starts with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a technical talk on the wildlife management model: minimum-handling principle, rehabilitation, flock formation, soft release, and post-release monitoring. Then you take part in concrete tasks: food preparation, behavioral observation, data recording, support during flight sessions and enrichment activities. In the afternoon, you walk the reintegration zones where released individuals already form stable flocks, feed some of the parrots in rehabilitation, plant a native tree, and visit the forest nursery.

Tropical dry forest, 35 km from Cartagena.

You are in Villanueva, Bolívar — where the foundation does its work. The reserve protects 1,300 acres of one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Colombian Caribbean and guards the habitat to which Amazonian parrots, macaws, and other species of the shared forest return. Your day is not a symbolic add-on: it is real hours of work inside the protocol.

The value of your experience is reinvested in full in the foundation's mission: caring for specific individuals, restoring the ecosystem that receives them, monitoring released flocks, and sustaining the partnerships with the farmers who protect the ecological corridor.

"Such a meaningful and unique experience. Feeding and caring for the parrots and macaws was incredible — you can feel the genuine conservation mission here." — Peter S., Viator (abril 2025)

A glimpse of the reserve

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Frequently asked questions

What's included in the price?+

Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide español/inglés, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.

Do you offer discounts for children or groups?+

Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 people or special inquiries, write to us using the inquiry button and we'll send you a personalized quote.

What is the minimum and maximum age?+

The minimum age is 7. There is no maximum age — the experience is suitable for people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the difficulty level for your group, contact us.

How large are the groups?+

We work with small groups: a maximum of 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.

What should I bring?+

Comfortable, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), a cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long trousers are better.

Where do you pick us up, and at what time?+

We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. Two shifts are available: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact location and time are confirmed 24 hours in advance by WhatsApp.

What is the cancellation policy?+

Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or rescheduling.

Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?+

Some experiences involve walking on uneven terrain. For guests with reduced mobility, we have adapted options (UTV tours, on-farm observation). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put something together for you.

What languages is the experience offered in?+

All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.