Volunteer with Bears in Romania

I really enjoyed my time in Romania. The accommodation was lovely and it was great to meet the other volunteer and to work with her. Really nice that there was someone else there. It was a special time being my 10th year of volunteering at the bear sanctuary and it will, sadly, be my last time. However, I hope to spend a long weekend in Brasov (next year now) to see Razvan again. I will continue to support the bear sanctuary.

My trip to Romania was such an incredible experience. It was my first time travelling solo but the Oyster staff were lovely and I felt well looked out for. The sanctuary is such a peaceful place to spend time in, it has beautiful views and over 100 bears to watch and learn all about. If you love bears and exploring new places I would definitely recommend!

Georgie was really helpful and responsive. The local contact was really hands on & made us feel really welcome, Razvan was brilliant. I loved learning about the bears and getting to see them so close in their natural environment.

It was great -Razvan was so supportive of us and the little flat is lovely v clean and well appointed plus being in the old town a great location -I had a lot of time to wander around Brasov plus going to Bran castle and Peles castle -it was also v interesting learning about the bears and Romania. We had such good weather whilst I was there -unusually warm I think but v welcome. Thank you 🙏

It was really great to gain new experiences with Oyter Worldwide while volunteering with Bears in Romania, get some different insights and immerse myself in a totally different world with some new people.

LOVED my time in Braşov and at the sanctuary. The fact that it’s a different set up to previous volunteer work that I’ve done took a quick minute for my brain to adjust - but this small scale, utterly unique experience was really special. I was totally happy working on my own, especially with a view out to the adolescent bear’s enclosure. Brilliant. I’ve never met an on-location rep with such attention to detail and proficiency. The flat was great, everything I needed, warm and comfortable. Loads to do around the town, culture, restaurants, people watching, hiking. I was never bored and it was easy to fill any time off. Bolt on transfer was efficient and I really liked the driver Ovi, we discussed every topic under the sun. Very amusing, great company - I learnt a lot about family life in Romania with 2.4 children.

I've not long returned from Romania and am already pining to go back. The sanctuary is my happy place and Brasov is the city I love. Working at the sanctuary for my 4th time was as special as it was the 1st time. Seeing the bears every day, living a happy life, fills my soul with joy. Since I first volunteered in 2018 Razvan has become a dear friend who always goes above and beyond his role, whether you are there for the first time or a returning volunteer. I can't possibly say enough positive things about this experience.

LOVED my time in Braşov and at the sanctuary. The fact that it’s a different set up to previous volunteer work that I’ve done took a quick minute for my brain to adjust - but this small scale, utterly unique experience was really special. I’m totally happy working on my own, especially with a view out to the adolescent bear’s enclosure. Brilliant. Razvan is obviously the key factor in why it works so well despite the language barriers on site. I’ve never met an on-location rep with such attention to detail and proficiency…….especially seeing as he is completing these duties alongside a full time job! I made zero effort top learn any Romanian and to be honest I think even if I’d invested hours of time my capabilities would have been poor. Google translate, bad miming and Razvan at the end of the phone from the 1990s is enough to get by. Some of the sanctuary workers are more keen to interact than others but that’s all fine - just an observation. Personally I would have liked more to do. The vagueness of the arrival time for the afternoon delivery was a tiny bit frustrating but that’s just the way it is. Not the end of the world……I’m just not good with feeling that I’m not being 100% productive ALL OF THE TIME. More my own OCD totally neurotic character trait. I could definitely do with being a bit more Romanian Laid Back!! My suggestion would be to have a back up list of extra/optional jobs that could be done around the food prep area………perhaps cleaning based - scrubbing down the walls, hosing out the food crates, organising stuff inside the fridge. The flat was great, everything I needed, warm and comfortable. Loads to do around the town, culture, restaurants, people watching, hiking. I was never bored and it was easy to fill any time off. Bolt transfer was efficient and I really liked the driver Ovi, we discussed every topic under the sun. Very amusing, great company - I learnt a lot about family life in Romania with 2.4 children.

I booked this trip because I love bears but I had no idea just how great it the experience was going to be. The communication and organisation of Oyster both before and during my trip was excellent. Beforehand, Georgie was in regular contact and also answered any questions I had in record time. The MyOyster feature was also a great tool with lots of information about the trip. While I was in Brasov, Razvan kept up the great communication and was available any time if we had any questions. He also brought us on a tour of Brasov which was very informative and fun. There was one day of orientation at the sanctuary on the Saturday before work began on Monday. Here, you get to go behind the scenes a little and visit the teddy bear museum and the bear viewing area and learn a bit more about the work the sanctuary does. Every morning before we left for work, Razvan would meet with us to let us know what jobs we were to do each day. He also checked up during the day and then again in the evenings to make sure everything was okay and everyone was happy. The work was mainly food prep for the bears and farm animals (there are also horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, a cow, a turkey and other small animals in the small farm area). The work hours are 9 to 3 and there is transport arranged. Our driver, Ovi, was great fun. His English was perfect and we learned lots of Romanian history as well as talking about anything and everything. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough. It is obviously sad that so many bears need to be rescued but seeing them living their lives happily in the sanctuary was so good. It is also such an amazing experience watching the bears wandering around being bears. I don’t think there is any other trip available that lets you get to see so many bears so close (behind electrified fences of course!) and to witness their natural behaviour. It was also nice to know I was helping out in a small way in the sanctuary because they do amazing work.

From the very first day, I felt incredibly welcome. Razvan is always there when you need him, and the town of Brașov is such a special place with a wonderful atmosphere. The sanctuary itself is incredibly peaceful, truly one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever been. Traveling to Romania to work at the sanctuary is definitely worth it!

The sanctuary for Bears is my Happy place. Being able to volunteer and do a little bit to help these amazing animals is incredible. Although I was ill at the beginning of my trip and missed a couple of days at the sanctuary I was very well looked after. The in country support from Razvan is outstanding. Bear welfare is at the heart of everything they do - and they are very good at people welfare too.. This was my second time volunteering at the sanctuary and hopefully not my last.

Our stay at the bear sanctuary is one of the best things I've ever done. Seeing and spending time with the bears and wolves was such a privilege From start to finish every thing was so well organised. And everyone was so helpful and friendly especially Razvan who made our stay perfect and Ovi our driver who made us laugh every day. I would recommend this experience of a lifetime at the same time helping the bears and spreading the word about the fantastic work they do

I’m doing good. My trip has been going really well and I am loving being with the nurses and physical therapists. It is a very organized program that is always willing to help with any questions or concerns. I loved getting to meet all the patients and be welcomed as I got to see the nurses and physical therapists do their work. Thanks for checking in!

We are currently in our second week of volunteering at the bear sanctuary in Romania. I am a returning volunteer but everything is just as fantastic as I remembered it. Georgie at Oyster was brilliant at helping us book the weeks that worked best for us and was very accommodating of our needs. The whole experience from the beginning was top notch. Răzvan has been as incredible as he was when I came here before and is a credit to Oyster. Nothing is too much trouble and he is always there to help us. The experience of working at the sanctuary and seeing the bears live happy lives is something that we feel everyone should do at least once. Thank you for making this possible.

I have just finished my 2 weeks volunteering at the Bear Sanctuary. I have had the most amazing time. Conversations with Georgie before booking were very helpful and informative- even so I was a little worried about coming here alone. I needn’t have worried- Razvan the local manager is fantastic and nothing is too much trouble for him. After 1 day I felt like I had known him forever. The staff at the sanctuary and the Guides and the Oyster driver were all brilliant. The Bears welfare is top priority and it is a beautiful place for them. I was also very lucky with my fellow volunteers who shared my love of bears made my trip very memorable (Julie, Adam, Tina & Teresa).x I would not hesitate in recommending this trip with Oyster. Special thanks go to Razvan and the Sanctuary staff. I will definitely be back again

Our stay at the bear sanctuary is one of the best things I've ever done. Seeing and spending time with the bears and wolves was such a privilege From start to finish every thing was so well organised. And everyone was so helpful and friendly especially Razvan who made our stay perfect and Ovi our driver who made us laugh every day. I would recommend this experience of a lifetime at the same time helping the bears and spreading the word about the fantastic work they do.

Great support in location. Very helpful and caring. Time outside, visiting the sanctuary was great and something new. Volunteers must understand it is hard work, smelly but it isn’t too many hours and the rewards are worthwhile. Time with animals was rewarding!

A great experience with Oyster from start to finish! Georgie was very communicative from the point at which I first booked and was very helpful and quick to answer any questions. In Romania, the local manager Razvan couldn’t have been more helpful and lovely, it really felt like he went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly and that we really enjoyed the time in Braşov. Volunteering with the bears was a wonderful experience - we were mostly preparing their food or painting fences but we were never far from the bears and got to see a lot of them every single day. I visited for one week and am hoping to return again for two or more!

Oh where to begin: Oyster Worldwide were brilliant in organising the trip to the Bear Project in Romania and there was great support from both the UK and Romania. I went for 2 weeks. I was given a really useful orientation in Brasov and the Bear Sanctuary prior to helping out there. The flat is situated in the old Town. The flat is fully equipped for cooking and cleaning and really modern and comfortable. It’s easy to find your way around the Old Town and there are many many fantastic restaurants providing both European and local dishes. I thought the prices were very reasonable too. You must try the ice cream (and cakes and stews, pasta dishes and chocolates). I did revisit a couple of restaurants where the food was excellent. Volunteering at the Bear Sanctuary is an absolute joy, there are SO many bears to enjoy. The work involved painting fences, the weather was hot and dry, so ideal for that. I also made Bear ice cream and sorted out the different types of food for the bears. Take old clothes and gloves as you can get a bit messy, part of the fun. The staff at the sanctuary were all very friendly and helpful. Brasov is wonderful, so many beautiful buildings and the Countryside is great. So many trees and open spaces. Bliss. The local people were very friendly and I got to try out my very limited Romanian. It was definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done. I can whole heartedly recommend it!

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? Following the feeding round on the last day at the bear sanctuary watching the bears enjoying the “ice-cream” and meat I had prepared the day before! 2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday? Take waterproofs with you at all times for summer storms. In food prep area: 2 pairs thick black rubber gloves, comfy waterproof (hiking) boots you can hose down at the end of each day, black sack to put personal possessions in and protect from spillages & flies, make sure you have voice control on phone so you can answer without having to take off gloves & wash hands. 3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation? Yes, it freed regular staff to do other work. The sanctuary is committed to minimising impact on environment while providing sanctuary for the bears. Tourism is a vital part of the Romanian economy but there were few other visitors from western Europe. I bought all my presents from their shop. The driver who took me to the sanctuary and back every day was happy with his fee (included in the cost), gave me the chance to really get to know a Romanian and we had very interesting chats on a variety of subjects though the discussion on causes of climate change on the first morning, when I was still half asleep, certainly woke me up! He was a bit sceptical about Man being the primary cause! 4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall? A wonderful experience!