Phu Khao Khouai.

The Water Buffalo Mountains and the Ban Na and Ban Had Kai Villages in Laos

A chance for nature, village and elephant lovers. Work and teach English alongside local eco tourism village guides and farmers while learning and putting into practice, eco tourism services and trekking techniques. Teach their children some English and environmental awareness too. Why volunteer? This Indochinese wilderness is home to increasingly rare and rarely seen animals such as elephants, clouded leopards, gibbons and various deer species as well as many birds including the rare beautiful green peafowl. By helping the villagers to earn some extra income from protecting nature you help You will be in the midst of rural culture, an amazing opportunity to learn about nature and culture. Wildlife viewing from an elephant watch tower is offered to tourists in Ban Na. Your assistance in actively supporting eco tourism and the success of this project will make a nice addition to your CV. This eco tourism project was initiated almost 10 years ago by a German nature lover, an eco tourism program was implemented, and an elephant watch tower was built by villagers with Canadian financial support. The main focus was to reduce the conflict between local farmers and wild elephants and to provide extra income to the villagers so this is an opportunity to get involved in a pioneering eco tourism and wildlife protection program in Laos. An interest in animals, people, farming and nature and bing prepared to help and mix with village work, go trekking, working in the fields with farmers is important. Maybe early mornings and sometimes late nights. You should be prepared to get involved in all areas of the eco tourism development. Discovery Channel/Animal Planet has made a program about Laos in which this project is featured. From end of April and first half of May there may be less time for volunteers to teach English. Volunteers can then participate in the rice planting work of the villagers Location: some 100 km, 1.5 hours by bus from Vientiane, the Lao capital.

The Ban Na Village

Location: Phu Khao Khouai, Central Laos. Population Ban Na village: 600 Ecotourism attractions: Wild elephants. Adventure trekking through the forest. Waterfalls. Following elephant tracks. Elephant observation tower (you may be able to sleep there with the possibility of seeing elephants) Ecotourism services provided: Guided treks. Home stay. Stay overnight at the Elephant observation tower. Lao cooking and handicraft. Volunteer tasks: Teaching English and guiding skills to village guides and home stays providers. You may be out in the nature tracking, staying in the village while teaching English on the spot to rangers and host families. You may also be involved in other eco tourism work such as hospitality training, promotion programs. Volunteer accommodation and meals: Volunteers stay in a basic, simple village house with a host family in Ban Na. Home stays have very simple squatting Lao style toilets which also serves as bathroom. Meals with hosts, simple, basic Lao village food. Dress standards: Knee length shorts and sleeveless tops are acceptable and worn by villagers. (Always dress neatly)

Mr. Bunthanoom Ban Na

The Ban Had Kai Village

Ban Had Kai, about 15 km from Ban Na village, is a beautiful small village by a river. Most villagers are poor subsistence farmers, making handicraft and keeping water buffaloes andcattle. There are about 10 persons training to be tour guides who speak very limited little English but very eager to learn as are many children. Location: Phu Khao Khouai, Central Laos. Population Ban Had Kai village: 500 Ecotourism attractions: Adventure trekking through the rich forest. Waterfalls. Cliffs. Camping. Boat trips Ecotourism services provided: Guided treks. Home stay. Lao cooking and handicraft, basket weaving Volunteer tasks: Teaching English and guiding skills to village guides, children and home stays providers. You may be out in the nature trekking, or staying in the village teaching English on the spot to village guides, children and host families. You may also be involved in other eco tourism work such as hospitality training, promotion programs. Volunteer accommodation and meals: Host family

About Laos
Laos is a landlocked and mountainous country. Agriculture, mostly subsistence farming, dominates the economy, with a few major urban centers. Most people live in the valleys of the Mekong River, where rice can be grown. Laos is one of the world's few remaining communist states, and one of East Asia's poorest countries. The Lao consist of many ethnic groups. The vast majority of Lao people live in either Laos or Thailand. The Lao of Thailand are concentrated in the Northeast, Isan region. Theravada Buddhism is the major religion and animists amongst minority tribes. The poverty of rural Laos has led to a rather restricted diet, where the indigenous cuisine places much emphasis on fish sauce, chili and sticky rice.