Tree Planting Volunteering in Brazil

I was, probably like some of you, a bit sceptical when initially applying due to the low price compared to other organisations. However, the experience I had was absolutely amazing and I have learnt so much about not only myself, but about different cultures and etiquettes. My program manager, Marissa, was absolutely fantastic at answer all of my questions and adjusting any mistakes I submitted onto my application such as flight number and pick-up time. Despite the huge time difference between Marissa and myself, she was able to reply to my email promptly and with extreme care - I was really at ease throughout the whole process and that made the experience a bunch better. Everything on my volunteering was as described on the program guide and there were no surprises when I landed, everything that happened during my week I was prepared for. I would really recommend this company and I want to thank them once more for the fantastic and truly life-changing experience they provided for me.

I had such a wonderful experience in Split! I met so many amazing people from different countries and made memories that I will definitely never forget. The Youth Support program gave me the opportunity to connect with the local community, experience a different culture and grow personally at the same time. The local team was very welcoming and supportive and I always felt comfortable asking questions or getting help when needed. I especially loved the international atmosphere and meeting people with completely different backgrounds and stories.besides volunteering, I had enough time to explore Split, enjoy the beautiful beaches and nature and experience Croatian culture. This experience helped me step outside my comfort zone, become more independent and see things from new perspectives. I’m really grateful for all the people I met and everything I experienced during my time here. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, volunteer, meet new people and create unforgettable memories abroad. ❤️

The support and organization of IVHQ was strong and great. Traveling and volunteering with a family of five, with 3 Jr High School kids but was amazing. Very comfortable and things were laid out well, we all felt extremely safe and comfortable the entire experience.

My first experience as a volunteer abroad and I precisely picked upbio up because they seemed serious committed and professional. I wasn't wrong! Their project is effective and they are making a difference. I'm glad I have been part of this for a while.

The preparation before trip was so detailed that I don’t have anything to worry about. It got everything listed and made it so much easier to tick off what I’ve done and what they need. The communication with the manager for the volunteer was so smooth and fast, and I was able to get a reply current evening or next morning (due to different timing in different countries). I wanted to change my volunteer from rural teaching to turtle reservation, it was so fast that there wasn’t any problems with the money nor arrangements, everything just went so smoothly, really impressed. The local team there really helped a lot, the driver, the leader, everyone was just so nice, even the cook and the receptionist. This volunteer as itself also helped me a lot on raising awareness for the sea turtles, learnt a lot and really hope to help them consistently. This is such a memorable trip and I hope to do these volunteers with IVHQ next summer with my friends.

I highly recommend this program. The role of Amazon research assistant is very accessible to anyone interested in the natural world and provides valuable information on biodiversity to the scientific community which is essential to conservation. Imran, Marleen and Martha are incredible people, Well connected and appreciated by the local communities and you feel like you're having a positive impact. You live with other volunteers in a nice place with a pool, though be warned it is a bit far from town (45min walk) but you can ask the neighbour to taxi for a price. I made valuable connections with the other volunteers who kind of become your family for a time :) You get to see loads of animals and I've also seen the best sunset of my life in Alter do Chao from the beach over the massive river and enjoyed the Carimbo (local dance) parties that happen every Thursday.

It was my first time in Brazil and first time volunteering. At IPbio I had many opportunities to see wildlife, which I have never seen before. There is a day and night difference between nature trips with “standard” tour guides (I have done it there too) and nature trips with professional biologists at IPbio. With IPbio staff one can see 10 times more wildlife, these folks know what they are doing My special thanks are to Imran Viroomal. He is a natural born manager (which is very rare find). Thanks to him all aspects of my stay there (from arrival to departure) were perfectly organized. In addition, Imran is very pleasant person, with good sense of humor and very easy to get along with. And he is absolutely dedicated to his job. Many cudos to him!

IPBio est le carrefour de la science, de la sensibilisation et de la culture. Nous avons pu participer à de nombreux inventaires, ce qui fait la force d'IPBio. Alter-do-Chao est un village aux plages et aux expériences inoubliables. Situé près de la forêt primaire de Flona il a énormément d'activités à faire. Alors un grand merci à IPBio amazone et toute son équipe d'ultra motivés et passionnés dans la conservation de la biodiversité.

My Jamaica experience was great because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, connect with new people, and make meaningful memories while serving others. I loved being able to learn about the culture, build relationships with the local community, and see the impact that small acts of kindness can have. The experience challenged me to grow in my faith, gratitude, and appreciation for the opportunities I have. It was rewarding to work alongside others who shared the same passion for helping people and creating a positive difference. IVHQ does a great job of creating opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful impact while also providing support and guidance throughout the experience. They help connect volunteers with local communities, organize programs, and make it possible for people to serve in a way that is safe and structured. I appreciated how they allowed us to experience the culture of Jamaica while still focusing on helping the community. Their organization made the trip feel purposeful and helped create an environment where volunteers could learn, serve, and grow.

My experience with IVHQ absolutely exceeded my expectations and was so amazing, the staff were so friendly and really created a positive and welcoming environment, i felt safe and included by all the other volunteers, my only regret is not staying longer! I will definitely be back in the future!

Overall I had an amazing experience with Ivhq. I volunteered in Cape Town South Africa and I have never been so in love with a place. The culture and the people are truly amazing. I volunteered in a town ship with grade three and loved every minute of it! The kids are so kind and you can tell they truly love the help you have to offer. This experience will forever have such a big impact on me and changed me as a person. I would definitely recommend this to anyone:)

Staff are very well informed of the area, program, risks, events... and are keen for volunteers to be informed as well. Everyone recives a comprihensive introduction on arrival and questions are welcome. Volunteers do descover new species and distributions here, but don't let this fule your ego and encumbur your work. People come here to volunteer, not holiday. By prepared and willing to get your hands and cloths dirty. You will be in the forest most days and some nights planting trees and seed. Most your work will be collecting data of birds, arthropods, amphibians and birds and identifying species. Some prior knowlage of species taxonimy is recomended but not nessesary. A camera (to take clear enough photos to identify the animal is very usfull but also not a nessesity. This is the jungle, of course there are some risks. Take precautions staff inform you of and you'll be fine. No the Tarantulas are not 'out to get you'.

I have already done 3 programs with IVHQ, and this is just the beginning! Costa Rica to teach English, Fiji for childcare, and Thailand to teach. Each program has been magical! The experience is supported, from the application process through post program reflection, and everything in between. Safety, support, encouragement, insight, and perspective are all the things IVHQ provides and more! You get to meet people from around the world, and then come together for a common purpose. Already planning my next adventure, and I can't wait!

I havnt got any complaints from my trip through IVHQ. Every single part of the trip was perfect from the organisation to the welcoming coordinators. I’m only 17 but I felt so safe and supported through the whole process. Thank you for this opportunity!

I really enjoyed my time in the Amazon with IPBio. The work was varied, interesting and gave me the chance to learn a lot about biodiversity research in a real tropical fieldwork setting. I especially enjoyed the bird inventories, fish inventories, mushroom searches, night surveys and the chance to contribute to species records and data processing. The Amazon location is still developing, so sometimes the structure and working hours were more flexible than I expected, but the staff were supportive and the research itself was taken seriously. Overall, it was a unique and valuable experience where I learned a lot about fieldwork, Brazilian nature, teamwork and working in an international environment.

My volunteer experience in Thailand was truly rewarding. The program was well-organized, and the staff were supportive throughout. What stood out most was the real impact—even small contributions made a difference in the local community. It also helped me grow personally by becoming more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad.

I had the best three months at IPBio! It's the best introduction to the Amazon one could ask for. You get to be immersed in the rainforest and surrounded by wildlife while also having the comforts most people are used too. We got to see the most amazing wildlife and meet the most amazing people! Leaving is by far the hardest part.

I had an incredible experience volunteering with IPBIO. The program was both engaging and genuinely enjoyable, with plenty of hands-on fieldwork surveying a diverse range of flora and fauna. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, creating a warm and sociable environment from the very start. What stood out most was how open they were to new ideas—volunteers were encouraged to share input and contribute meaningfully, which made the experience feel even more rewarding. Throughout the program, we encountered an amazing variety of wildlife and had countless memorable moments. It was an enriching and inspiring experience overall, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in conservation and field research.

Teaching in Ubud, Bali was one of the most beautiful and meaningful experiences of my life. I came expecting to help and give, but I ended up receiving so much more. The children were incredibly kind, respectful, and full of joy. What impacted me the most was how grateful they were for everything;even the smallest things. They would smile constantly, show affection in the purest ways, and even gift me candies as a way to say thank you. Those small gestures meant more than they probably realized. Every day felt special. Being able to connect with them, teach them, laugh with them, and see their excitement to learn was something I will never forget. The environment was welcoming, and the staff made everything smooth and supportive, allowing us to truly focus on making a difference. This experience changed my perspective in the best way possible. It reminded me how powerful kindness, gratitude, and human connection can be. I will always carry these memories with me, and I’m beyond grateful to have been part of something so real and meaningful.

My name is Simon, and I was a volunteer at IPbio in may/April 2026. I traveled to brazil during a gap year after high school, where I made time to follow this program for 8 weeks. I had an amazing experience with this program. The staff is incredibly kind and passionate about their work. The work was enjoyable and there was a large variety in the activities that we performed. All in all, this program left me with 8 weeks worth of amazing memories!