Volunteering with bears in Romania
From
£925
7 Days excluding flights
More info:Includes airport transfers, accommodation, transport, donation to sanctuary, a book about the sanctuary, optional weekend trips, full support in the UK and Romania. 1 week £925 September - May and £1025 June - August. Extra weeks £180 per week.
“Work with bears in Romania's largest bear sanctuary - a haven for captured and abused bears who can now spend their days recuperating in this incredible haven at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.”
Highlights
Volunteering at Romania's largest bear sanctuary | Preparing food & monitoring wellbeing | Helping out with sanctuary tours | Living in medieval city of Brasov | Daytrip to Dracula's castle | Welcome meal on arrival | Optional: walking in the nearby Carpathian MountainsTravel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-111-111-6111 Calling from outside the US? [email protected]Departure information
Flexible departures available throughout the year, minimum stay 1 week
SINGLE USE PLASTIC-FREE:
Our Destination Manager volunteered at the bear sanctuary in Romania for 3 months in 2009. She was sad to see a large amount of litter strewn across the country and when she tried to recycle her household waste, there were no facilities available.
Not much has changed today and recycling in Romania is still not common place. In light of this, the bear sanctuary that this project takes place in wants to make a difference where it comes to eliminating plastics and recycling its waste - something that makes it stand apart.
Not much has changed today and recycling in Romania is still not common place. In light of this, the bear sanctuary that this project takes place in wants to make a difference where it comes to eliminating plastics and recycling its waste - something that makes it stand apart.
BAGS & SHOPPING:
We provide all volunteers with cloth bags that they can use to do their shopping, avoiding the need for using plastic bags in shops.
We encourage volunteers to do as much shopping as they can in a local produce market, located just 4 minutes' walk from the accommodation. This means that they can avoid pre-packaged fresh items that are normally purchased in supermarkets, whilst investing in the local community. This is communicated pre-departure and once in-country.
PRESERVING FOOD:
We no longer provide cling film or sandwich bags in the volunteer accommodation. Instead, we have purchased glass containers for food storage in the accommodation, and reusable tupperware containers for lunchboxes.
IN THE ROOMS:
Items that are provided in the accommodation, such as cleaning products and hand soap are bought in large refill containers, rather than lots of little containers. We believe that this will reduce the amount of plastic in circulation. There are no single use plastic shampoo bottles, soaps etc in the accommodation.
WATER BOTTLES:
We request that volunteers do not buy single use plastic water bottles, and ask that they bring a reusable bottle with them to Romania. This is communicated pre-departure and once in-country.
Clean drinking water is provided both in the accommodation and at the bear sanctuary.
We are also looking into purchasing hydro flasks for all volunteers so that they can choose to take hot or cold beverages out with them, avoiding the need to purchase water bottles or coffee on the go.
Clean drinking water is provided both in the accommodation and at the bear sanctuary.
We are also looking into purchasing hydro flasks for all volunteers so that they can choose to take hot or cold beverages out with them, avoiding the need to purchase water bottles or coffee on the go.
STICKING
POINT:
The bear sanctuary itself relies on local supermarkets to donate food for the bears. The food that is provided is fresh produce which has passed its sell by date. Currently some of this comes in plastic wrapping which the sanctuary has little control over given that they rely on the food donated.
The bear sanctuary does all that it can to ensure the plastic packaging from the supermarket food is recycled. As recycling facilities are not widely available in Romania, the sanctuary pays a company to come and take away the waste for recycling. It isnѝt perfect but they are doing what they can to eliminate food waste by giving unsellable produce to the bears, and dispose of the packaging in a way that no consumer or supermarket currently does as standard in the country.
CHANGE MAKING:
As a result of this campaign led by Uneasy no settle, we got in touch with the supplier who handles our t-shirt distribution to talk about packaging. They used to send out all our T-shirts in a plastic envelope - upon our suggestion they have agreed to stop putting the t-shirts in plastic wallets and were really pleased to be able to help reduce single use plastic in some way. Thank you to Uneasy no settle for giving us the motivation to ask for this - a question which would have been met with a lack of comprehension a few years ago!
Vouchers
Accepted
Vacation type
Volunteer travel - what's it all about
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
Responsible tourism


Responsible tourism: Volunteering with bears in Romania
Environment
Our placements are designed to immerse you in a different culture, living and working with local people. There’s plenty to gain personally from this challenge – a sense of achievement, broader horizons and some wonderful memories. But we make sure that local people, the environment and wildlife benefit too.Supporting local wildlife- it almost goes without explanation to state how strongly this project supports local wildlife. The staff at the sanctuary can very rarely say no to animals that need to be taken care of, and as such you will find some very happy dogs can also call the sanctuary home. The educational emphasis on the sanctuary is important, as it helps children from this area of the world to understand the importance of caring for wildlife and in particular the bears.
Environment - Our company takes an environmentally responsible attitude towards recycling and reusing of waste products. We also offset carbon emissions in our office (gas, electricity, business mileage) and encourage all participants to offset their flight emissions via a carbon offset scheme run in conjunction with Tree Aid. We also offer the option of traveling there by train to cut down on carbon emissions. Our volunteers are given a pre-departure briefing where they are encouraged to minimise waste and to live in a way that will not have a detrimental effect on the country. This extends to not wasting water or electricity.
Community
Our placements are designed to immerse you in a different culture, living and working with local people. There’s plenty to gain personally from this challenge – a sense of achievement, broader horizons and some wonderful memories. But we make sure that local people, the environment and wildlife benefit too.Meeting local needs - The whole project is geared towards helping the local community. Romania is not wealthy and institutions like the bear sanctuary rely on volunteers. We have been running programmes in this area since 1999 and have long-standing relationships with local people. This means we have a good idea of where help is needed, and can ensure volunteers make a real contribution.
The project also helps the local economy. Our participants spend money on food and leisure; we pay rent and employ a local Romanian as our representative. In addition, we donate money regularly to the various projects in response to their needs.
Cultural sensitivity - Our pre-departure briefing includes a special session entitled ‘Responsible Tourism’ where we discuss cultural differences and sensitivities as well as advising volunteers on appropriate conduct. People a briefed on what is considered polite in terms of eating, greeting and dressing. It is encouraged that all volunteers learn some Romanian prior to departure, and they get a helping hand whilst out there as well.
35 Reviews of Volunteering with bears in Romania
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Reviewed on 05 Nov 2018 by Deborah Robson
Excellent. Exceeded my expectations, all very well organised, very good accommodation with lots of help from local rep. Brasov had plenty to offer and the bears were amazing! Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2018 by Melinda Kerr
The most memorable part of the vacation was...getting to spend time watching the bears play together, and seeing them all so happy. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2018 by Nathan Cresswell
I think the most memorable part for me was seeing the bears be fed on the feeding tour with the things we had prepped that week. I also thought it was a great privilege to be in the park after visiting hours and be able to see the bears hang on trees and play in pools with you as the only human witnessing this. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Oct 2017 by Angela Nunn
I was walking passed one of the mother and cub enclosers on my way to catch my lift home when I looked in and the mother was just laying on her back and the three cubs were all Having some milk from her. She hadn’t got a care in the world. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Sep 2017 by Mary Motteram
Eating my lunch watching the bears being bears was the most memorable! A wonderful experience which combined living in a city with the rural component as the sanctuary was 45 minutes from the town. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Sep 2016 by Ferida Reid
This experience was 11 out of 10...the trip of a lifetime. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2016 by Rowena Dark
This really is the most memorable vacation I've had in many years Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Dec 2016 by Susan Wood
The first day at the bear sanctuary and first sight of the bears in such wonderful surroundings was very exciting and most memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Oct 2016 by Louise Jones
The most amazing experience. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole two weeks and wished I had booked to stay there longer. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Jul 2016 by Jane Adcock
The bear sanctuary is in the most beautiful of places, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Apr 2016 by Melinda millermon
I enjoyed seeing the bears and watching them in their natural environment. I also learned a lot about them and their plight. Awesome I want to go back. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Oct 2015 by Angela Ransome
Absolutely amazing - so good I will definitely return in 2 - 3 years time Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Oct 2015 by Shannon Clarke
Absolutely amazing. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. I have actually recommended it to everybody who'll listen. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Nov 2015 by Rosemary Hindley
It is a beautiful peaceful place and watching all the bears eating, splashing about in their pools, climbing trees and just enjoying their surroundings was a fantastic experience Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jun 2015 by Desna McAll
Excellent....Yes - money definitely went into the local economy and I hope my efforts helped in some small way towards bear rescue Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Sep 2014 by Sarah Burman
Bears! Bears ! Bears!......absolutely amazing to spend time with these wonderful creatures. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Sep 2014 by Clanci Ferguson
I have volunteered with other organisations in conservation and animal welfare and found in comparison the co-ordination for this was exemplary, the time working was balanced by time I had to wander the sanctuary or explore the surrounding area. Highly recommended! Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Sep 2014 by Estelle Barnes
Amazing! I was taking a year's sabbatical and this trip was the top of my list. It didn't disappoint and should be on every animal lover's 'bucket list'. I went for 6 weeks, returned for another 6 weeks the following year and fully intend to go back as soon as I can! Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Oct 2014 by Debby Firmin
It was an amazing experience, I will never forget all of those bears and the valuable work of the staff at the sanctuary and the organisations funding it. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Oct 2014 by Esther Ostrower
The vacation was excellent. I had a chance to contribute my time and money to animals that deserve a better future then their past. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Sep 2014 by Katherine Lethbridge
Being able to see the bears was great, as I had never seen real bears before and it was great to see their behaviour. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Nov 2013 by Amanda Hathway
Fantastic and didn't want to leave. Definitely would like to go back again and stay longer! Everyone was wonderful...top would be watching the bears play in the water, eat, and just enjoying the fact that they now lead a happy life thanks to those that have rescued them and look after them. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jan 2013 by Chloe Grable
Everything. I loved every moment of it! As an animal lover, just being able to see so many bears interacting with each other and living freely in such a fantastic sanctuary was an experience I won't ever forget! Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Nov 2013 by Linda Gardiner
A really unique experience! Romania is a beautiful country and it was great to be able to spend several weeks there and get to know one part of it. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 May 2013 by Lynda Beard
Really enjoyable, if you're an animal/nature lover you'll love it. :) Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Feb 2013 by Kate Shedden
I absolutely loved my trip to Romania. This hidden gem of Europe has it all, beautiful mountainous countryside, historical buildings and friendly locals. Escaping to the tranquil bear mountain everyday to hang out with our four legged friends (bears and the dogs) was a pleasure. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Jan 2013 by Alexandra Comino
I had a wonderful time...Simply hanging out with the bears everyday was an incredible experience/privilege. Watching them play and forage as happy, free bears is indescribable. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Jan 2013 by Jacqueline Bell
I felt the vacation was wonderful....it was wonderful to be able to spend time just watching the bears in a natural environment. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Aug 2012 by Hans Berents
Every day was even more exciting than the last, because each day meant something new to learn and love. But I must say, getting to sit in silence with the bears on a daily basis is not just a memory I will cherish forever, it was an honour. Bears. Bears. Bears. Bears. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Apr 2012 by Wulfric Willis
The bears! What more memorable a thing could have happened?! It was great, seeing the bears everyday, just watching them in a natural state, interacting with one another, and taking photos of them. It was brilliant. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Nov 2011 by Jack Dunstan
Living in beautiful Brasov, watching the bears every day...Had a great time - 2 weeks perfect amount of time. Will miss the bears and the staff. Thanks. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Nov 2011 by Martin Sausins
Meeting the bears was the most exciting part...A great experience meeting and working with majestic animals in some beautiful countryside. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Sep 2011 by Lynn Stephenson
Getting to spend time every day with 58 bears was just incredible, to watch how they behave, how intelligent they are and how like humans in their expressions and actions. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Oct 2010 by Cathy Bisset
Romania is a beautiful spectacular country, so from the moment I was traveling from Bucharest to Brasov I knew that I had come to a really excellent destination. I was very impressed by the people who run the sanctuary on a daily basis particularly Laci & Emi and Mateusz our driver! Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Apr 2008 by Emily Barclay
I had the most amazing 3 months. I love the bears, I met some wonderful, kind, funny people, I stayed in a beautiful city, I tried some great food and wine. Basically, I loved it! Read full reviewOur travel guides
From
£925
7 Days excluding flights
More info:Includes airport transfers, accommodation, transport, donation to sanctuary, a book about the sanctuary, optional weekend trips, full support in the UK and Romania. 1 week £925 September - May and £1025 June - August. Extra weeks £180 per week.
Our travel guides
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