Free Time
Volunteer Holiday with Pink River Dolphins in Brazil

Participating with GVI not only allows you to work on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield either before or after your program. Below is some information on trips and travel options in Brazil.

Included Side Trips

In addition to your work as a volunteer, you will have some free time (project work permitting) to enjoy the other activities that Mamirauá offers and, if you are lucky, to gain some exposure to some of the other volunteer projects which are taking place throughout the reserve. Volunteers are fully ‘embedded’ in our research team, and usually join the interns in whatever visits they may make to local river-bank communities. These may be to play football in a forest clearing, watch a game on TV (a rare highlight in an area with few TVs, little electricity and every house on stilts), or attend a party. Volunteers staying for 3 weeks or more will usually get a chance to go to the nearest large town Tefe, and even those staying for 2 weeks will likely visit the smaller town of Alvaraes.

Optional Side Trips

At weekends, arrangements can be made for volunteers to go on a wildlife trail in the rainforest. Night-time expeditions are spectacular, especially in a small canoe with a local guide. The powerful torch beam will pick out mammals in the tops of the trees – such as monkeys, sloths, squirrels – and also a wide variety of wonderful birds and insects.

Further Travelling Opportunities

Brazil is a fascinating country and if your time and budget stretch to it, why not explore further; the night life of Rio de Janeiro resounds with exciting Samba and the bohemian art scene, the kite and wind surfing of Jericoacoara is situated in a perfect backpacker’s hideaway, diving off the beaches of Fernando de Noronha should also be sampled, and the city of Manaus is a gateway to some exciting jungle excursions.