Immersive Conservation Internship
Live, Work, and learn in the amazon rainforest
A fully immersive conservation experience combining field research and wildlife rehabilitation.
Overview
The Hoja Nueva Immersive Conservation Internship is a hands-on, field-based experience designed for individuals who want to actively participate in conservation while living in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.
Based within a 7,000-acre protected rainforest reserve in Madre de Dios, Peru, you will work alongside researchers and wildlife professionals contributing to real conservation initiatives—not simulations or tourism.
This program is designed to give you broad exposure across conservation disciplines, combining ecological research, wildlife monitoring, and rehabilitation support into one integrated experience.
No prior experience is required—only curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to learn.
What You'll Do
Your experience will be rotational and dynamic, reflecting the realities of fieldwork, weather, animal needs, and ongoing projects. Some days may be research-heavy, while others may focus more on wildlife care, enrichment, or jungle-based field activities.
On the research side, interns may participate in camera trap deployment, maintenance, and data retrieval; biodiversity surveys; wildlife observation; primate transects; night walks; field data recording; and exposure to ecological monitoring methods. These activities contribute to ongoing research in one of the most species-rich regions in the world.
On the wildlife rehabilitation side, interns support the daily work of our rescue center. This may include preparing species-specific diets, designing and building enrichment from natural jungle materials, cleaning and maintenance, observing animal behavior, and supporting the care of non-releasable animals. Interns work with sanctuary animals, allowing them to contribute meaningfully while respecting Hoja Nueva’s strict ethics around rehabilitation and rewilding.
A Typical Day
Every day is different, but a typical day may begin with animal care tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and enrichment preparation. Later in the morning, interns may join research activities such as camera trap hikes, transects, biodiversity surveys, or jungle walks. Afternoons often include enrichment building, enclosure support, data entry, maintenance tasks, or project-based work. Some evenings may include night walks, lectures/ presentations, group discussions, or downtime.
Expect a mix of physical work, learning, exploration, and adaptation. This is a working conservation environment, so flexibility is essential.
What You'll Gain
By the end of your stay, you will have gained foundational knowledge of tropical ecology, wildlife conservation, and ethical rehabilitation practices. You will develop practical experience in field data collection, animal care support, enrichment design, rainforest living, and conservation teamwork.
This internship is especially valuable for people who are exploring conservation careers, deciding between wildlife care and research, or seeking meaningful experience before pursuing further study or professional work.
Life at Hoja Nueva
Interns live on-site at a purpose-built research station embedded in primary rainforest. Accommodation is shared and simple, with separate male and female sleeping areas, comfortable beds with mosquito nets, and communal spaces for eating, relaxing, and working.
Facilities are intentionally low-impact and suited to remote rainforest living. The site has solar-powered electricity, composting toilets, showers, a hand-wash laundry station, and Starlink Wi-Fi available during parts of the day. Meals are provided and are simple, nutritious, and communal. Depending on the schedule, interns may occasionally help with shared cooking or camp responsibilities.
Hoja Nueva is remote, off-grid, and located several hours from the nearest city. The environment is hot, humid, muddy, and physically demanding at times. You will be surrounded by extraordinary biodiversity, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and dense rainforest.
Who This Is For
This program is ideal for beginners exploring conservation careers, students seeking hands-on experience, career changers, and individuals who want a meaningful rainforest immersion. It is also a strong fit for people who want to experience both wildlife rehabilitation support and field research before choosing a more specialized path.
No prior experience is required, but participants must be adaptable, respectful, physically capable, and willing to contribute to team life.
Expectations
This is not tourism. Interns are expected to participate, contribute, and remain flexible as daily needs change. Days can be physically active and occasionally long. You should be prepared for team-based living, remote jungle conditions, limited connectivity, insects, humidity, and the realities of working in a conservation setting.
Duration and Pricing
The Immersive Conservation Internship is flexible, with stays available from one week to six months or longer. Pricing is tiered, with discounted weekly rates for longer stays to encourage deeper learning and greater contribution.
Sample Program Fees:
One Week
$525
Two Weeks
$945
One Month
$1,575
Two Months
$2,900
Three Months
$3,975
Four Months
$4,900
Five Months
$5,850
Six Months
$6,750
What's Included
Your program fee includes on-site accommodation in the rainforest, all meals, local transport to and from Puerto Maldonado, participation in research and rehabilitation activities, mentorship from field staff and researchers, and access to shared facilities including Wi-Fi and communal areas.
Shorter stays are more intensive and introductory, while longer stays allow interns to develop stronger skills, build confidence, and take on more responsibility. Custom durations beyond six months may be available upon request.
A deposit is required to secure your placement, with the remaining balance due prior to arrival.
Ready to Join us?
The Immersive Conservation Internship is your opportunity to contribute to meaningful, ethical conservation while learning directly from the Hoja Nueva team working on the frontlines of rainforest protection in the Peruvian Amazon.
If you’re ready to live, learn, and contribute in the Amazon, we’d love to hear from you.