Ecotourism/ Nature Guides
This is a great opportunity for those wishing to gain intense experience, knowledge and skills as a Nature Guide and/ or amateur nature and wildlife photographer. This intern programme offers the best in theoretical teaching and hands-on information and experience for participants who are keen to establish themselves as a professional Nature Guide or for the adventurous type wanting to gain a greater understanding of how to interpret the ecology and conservation of the environment. You will experience a truly rewarding programme in the unique, rich National Parks of the Epirus Region. On this unique intern programme, you will gain additional skills invaluable to achieving entry into a competitive job market such us first aid, 4x4 driving, photography, wildlife surveys, species identification, local community enrolment, running an ecotourism travel agency and many more.
This programme gives participants the opportunity to gain an intimate knowledge and feel of the wildlife and ecosystem of these spectacular areas through wildlife photography and practical conservation education. Participants will also undertake some conservation activities and assist to raise awareness in the local communities.
Dedicated volunteer guesthouse
Nature guiding, identification of fauna and flora (mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, wildflowers etc.), wildlife photography. Ecotourism business management.
3 Meals included (volunteers assist with the preparation of meals and dish washing)
Ioannina airport or bus terminal
The Nature Guide programme is available both to solo and couple travel. The duration of the expedition is at least 1 month but custom itineraries can be arranged.
- €1,350 – 1 month
- €3,900 – 3 months
Prices incl. VAT
Please note: Above prices are not valid for European Volunteer Service (EVS) project participants
Volunteers can join throughout the year.
- Pre-departure support
- Return transfers to and from Airport/ bus station
- Arrival orientation
- Constant mentoring, supervision, guidance and training from experienced scientists
- Necessary project equipment and materials
- Transfer to research area locations and/ or National Parks’ offices
- Wildlife survey techniques, photography, species identification and public awareness courses
- Weekly evaluation with your mentor
- Final evaluation
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Shared accommodation at the volunteer guesthouse
- Three meals daily
- Access to tea and coffee
- Use of internet at the volunteer guesthouse
- 24-hour emergency phone support
- International and domestic flights or bus tickets
- Airport taxes
- Medical and Travel insurance
- Work/study Visa
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits)
- Laundry services (inexpensive laundry can be found in the town)
Volunteers are based on the beautiful town of Ioannina, the capital of Epirus Region, which is in close proximity to five National Parks. They will have the chance to get hands-on experience of the Parks’ unique ecosystems working with expert environmentalists on valuable PAs Management initiatives.
The mountainous area of Epirus is dominated by the Pindos Range, where two National Parks are located, Pindos and Tzoumerka National Parks. Here is one of the last biotopes of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) all over Europe. The flora of the Epirus mountains is very rich and diverse with many rare and endemic species, like the Centaurea pawlovskii in the Vikos Gorge and the Centaurea vlachorum species in the Valia Calda, and many rare and beautiful lily species.
Amongst the rare animal species living in the mountains, rivers and lakes of Epirus we can mention the extremely rare Lynx (Lynx lynxx), the Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), the Wolf (Canis lupus), the Otter (Lutra lutra) and the very rare ‘wild goat’ (Rupicapra rupicapra). Many rare birds of prey species inhabit the mountains, such as the Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), the Lammergeir (Gypaetus barbatus), the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and the Booted eagle (Hieraetus pennatus).
The coastal National Parks (Kalamas and Acheron and Amvrakikos Gulf) and the Lake Pamvotis, are very important immigration routes and biotopes for birds and host many endangered species like the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus).
The Volunteer Programme has been designed with a strong focus on learning and hands-on involvement in field projects and volunteers get involved in biodiversity monitoring, public awareness, PAs Management activities etc. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and inclusiveness.
Indoor and outdoor lectures and practical training will be conducted regarding the ecosystem and wildlife of the programme area and the Nature Guiding as a profession. Lecturing will cover subjects such as Geology; Vegetation and Plant Identification; Taxonomy; Butterflies; Arthropods; Amphibians; Reptiles; Fish; Birds; Mammals; Animal Behaviour; PA Management; Ecotourism and Guiding; Attributes, skills and duties of a Nature Guide; Planning of a Nature Tour; Presentation skills; Navigation and Orientation; Animal Tracks and Tracking; Weather; Tourism Business Management, Nature and Wildlife photography, Basic 4x4 driving; Use of Binoculars and other Field Equipment and more.
The indoor activities include working in the Park’s or in our agency’s office getting first-hand experience and advancing your skills in all aspects of office work and in the day to day management of an environmental organisation and ecotourism business respectively. You will be involved development of the content of website; preparation of newspaper articles and press releases; writing letters and replying to emails; setting up tour itineraries etc.
The training programmes will take place in the area of the five National Parks. The outdoor tasks are determined by the unpredictability of what is found during the field activity in combination with the subjects that have to be covered. The activity could be walk learning about the plant species occurring in the area, or a walk following fresh bear tracks, or a 4X4 drive photographing nature and wildlife, or a walk looking for birds of prey and learning how to identify rare birds, or guiding a group of tourists.
This intern programme is for college/ university students, who want to gain the practical and theoretical knowledge of the natural environment in order to be able to interpret the natural environment around them and therefore be able to become professional Nature Guides. It is also for those not aiming for a career as a Nature Guide but, would like to learn more about the Environment and Wildlife for their own personal interest. Therefore this programme can attract people of all ages and from all walks of life whether they are students on gap year or professionals taking career breaks.
For those wishing to be involved more intensively with nature and wildlife photography no experience is necessary but enthusiasm for photography and passion for wildlife and the environment is essential. The project can attract all levels of photographers from complete beginners to professionals.
Volunteers will have weekends off although some tasks such as guiding wildlife and adventure expeditions might still need to be done on weekends. Ioannina is a very alive town as many university students live and study here and offers great opportunities for some time out in the evenings or for visiting the many important historical and cultural monuments located closed to the town. At your expense, it is advisable to get involved in adventure activities like rafting, skiing, hiking, cycling etc., offered in the wider area.
From Ioannina you can also explore more of the wonderful sights and experiences that this beautiful region has to offer. Depending from the season you can take a trip to many pristine and well known destinations like Metsovo, Vasilitsa and Anilio for skiing; Zagori and Tzoumerka for trekking, Preveza, Corfu and Lefkada for summer escapes; Thessaloniki for shopping and more.
Volunteers should fly into either Athens or Thessaloniki International Airport and then take either the bus or a connecting flight to Ioannina Airport. Upon arrival in Ioannina you will be picked up for your transfer to the volunteer’s guesthouse.
There may be a number of ways to reach Ioannina. For further information and advice please contact us and we can arrange your flights and bus tickets for you.
GreenTraveller’s specialist staff provides personalised attention and on-going support to volunteers, extensive pre-departure training and in-country orientation and supervision.
Upon booking, you will have a comprehensive pre-departure briefing with the programme coordinator that provides all the details you will need to prepare for your trip to Greece. This briefing will cover topics and information on accommodation, staff, visas, optional activities, medical advice, subjects of your internship, activities and life in the project and more.
Upon arrival, your project coordinator will guide you through your volunteer tasks, act as a link between you and your host National Park Management Body, and help to broaden your understanding of the country where you are volunteering. All our Project Leaders are qualified biologists/ environmentalists and experienced professionals bringing a wealth of education and experience to enrich your programme.
Our staff will offer logistical and emergency support to volunteers and assistance such as illness, missed flights, lost luggage etc. A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency contact number is provided for everyone who join us. We never compromise on safety!
Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory for all participants prior to their departure and while on one of our expedition/ tours/ programmes. You are responsible for ensuring that you are in possession of a valid travel insurance for the entire duration of your trip in respect of medical expenses, personal accident, legal expenses, medical emergency repatriation and death, as well as make sure that there are no exclusion clauses which limit cover for the type of sport or other activities included in your programme, such as, but not limited, to trekking, diving, rafting, cycling, canoeing, skiing etc.
Volunteers will stay in the volunteer guesthouse located in Ioannina town, build by the lake Pamvotis. The house has an equipped kitchen (stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, cooking equipment etc.), bathroom, living room with a TV set and three bedrooms with single beds. Depending on numbers, volunteers may have a room to themselves or may share with one or two other volunteer (same sex). The volunteer guesthouse can accommodate up to eight volunteers at any given time, so accommodation resembles a family environment. Three meals per day are provided and volunteers assist with the preparation of meals and dish washing.
Individual study desks are provided for each participant either at the living room of the guesthouse or/ and at the GreenTravellers’ premises. In both locations a Wi-Fi internet connection is available.
Located in the north-western part of Greece, Epirus region is a land which stretches from the Ionian Sea until the borders of West Macedonia and Thessaly. It is a land with beautiful beaches binding with high mountains that impress with their wild and pristine beauty. The coasts of Epirus in the Ionian offer some of the best beaches in Greece and also big tourist resorts (Parga, Syvota, Preveza, etc.) that accommodate millions of visitors from Greece or abroad every year. The visitor can easily escape to the touristic Ionian Islands like Corfu and Lefkada. Epirus with its virgin natural environment, the historical monuments (archaeological sites, oracles, monasteries), the museums, the traditional villages, the local’s hospitality and its traditional music, satisfies the most demanding visitor.
Beautiful mountains, rivers, gorges, lakes, meadows, marshes and also rare species of fauna and flora are some of the elements that make this region truly fascinating. The area includes a considerable number of nature Protected Areas (29 Natura 2000 and a Ramsar site) and it is the only Region of Greece hosting five National Parks governed by Management Bodies. The quality of the terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of these National Parks is outstanding with very diverse flora and fauna and some of the rare and endemic species living here have a high ecological value not only nationwide but also worldwide. The Protected Areas also have scientific and educational interest and there are also important geological structures and important cultural elements (archaeological, historical etc.).
- The Five National Parks (Tzoumerka, Pindos, Amvrakikos, Acheronta/Kalamas, Pamvotis Lake) of Epirus Region are considered few of Greece’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- Popular destinations in close proximity.