10 days at 'Chuchini' in the Bolivian Amazon

Originally, a three-day wildlife tour was booked. It turned into almost 10 days in the Bolivian Amazon near Trinidad. But from the beginning.

3 days at 'Chuchini' as tourists

Through the provider Nick's Adventures Bolivia, we booked a three-day tour including two nights at 'Chuchini' Amazon Wildlife Eco Reserve & Lodge. After another night bus ride, we were picked up in Trinidad in the morning at the bus terminal by Chef Ibis himself and driven out of the city by car. There, we switched to a boat, as it is rainy season. After nearly an hour-long boat ride, we arrived at the 'Chuchini' lagoon and thus at the lodge. And we were greeted in Swiss German - several times even. A bit surprised, as we least expected it, we checked into our private room with its own bathroom/shower. Shortly after, it became clear: the lodge is run by Ibis and his Swiss wife Miriam, as well as their twin children Hugo and Yara (4.5 years old). And there are two Swiss volunteers here - Dario and Nina from Lucerne.

After a generous delayed breakfast, we went on our first jungle walk near the lodge. We walked through the nearby area on self-foraged paths and got to know the first plants and animals of the surroundings. We also saw some interesting tracks of jaguars, pumas, and tapirs. Ibis explained everything to us, and we learned more and more about the project and the history of the lodge. A short boat trip was also on the agenda for day 1. Equipped with rubber boots, we also went on a shorter walk through the mostly flooded terrain and through the undergrowth to the 'Cathedral', a large hollow tree. Miriam concluded the tour by showing us the lodge's own museum with hundreds of ceramic artifacts from ancient civilizations and countless animal bones and skulls from the surrounding area.

In addition to the two of us, there were currently three other guests present, and we enjoyed the first dinner together. Throughout the three days, we were culinary spoiled - including our special dietary requests - with local and partly new dishes.

We spent most of the second day on the lodge's premises. First, we tried fishing in the ponds, then we rode on horseback for a bit and refreshed ourselves with a jump into the lagoon. For the adventurous among us, there was even a zip line over the lagoon - and Ibis would drive back and forth with the boat pulling a board as a water ski. Not that easy - but after a few tries, Mathias got the hang of it quite well.

Day three was the big boat excursion. The whole group, including the volunteers, boarded the large boat, which even has a toilet on board, and first headed to a nearby lagoon. There, we switched to two small dinghies and were supposed to fish for piranhas. Unfortunately, we had little success - the only catches were smaller fish that we released back into the water. Only the Australian tourist was lucky enough to catch a nice catfish - but she didn't have the heart to eat it as a former vegetarian, and we also released it (to the disbelief of Chef Ibis).

The further excursion mainly aimed to see some of the local animals. Many bird species live in this area, and you can find them almost everywhere - we could also observe some larger specimens on this excursion. And you can hear monkeys roaring all day long - and sometimes you can see them jumping around in the trees near the water. We were able to observe different species and also spotted a sloth on this day. The river dolphins were a bit shy, but after waiting a bit, they also showed themselves. Unfortunately, they were too fast to capture a nice photo each time.

At this point, we would actually have returned to Trinidad. But we are flexible long-term travelers and like spontaneous decisions - so we asked Miriam about it, and because they can always use help and the volunteer stay is very affordable from our point of view, we decided to stay an additional week - and work again.

7 days at 'Chuchini' as volunteers

The week flew by, and we had the opportunity to experience the everyday life of the great family here - including a lot of laughter and a few tears from the kids in between. And we could help. Doing routine tasks and special assignments - some things were rather easy and quick to do, while other tasks were sweaty and physically demanding. We would like to explain a few highlights in more detail:

Daily Feeding

This work usually meant the start of the day for us. Even before our own breakfast, there was food for the animals - meaning for the two toucans, two ducks, and a rooster. Everything is recycled at the Chuchini Lodge, so the ducks and the rooster are the trash disposal services. They get the leftovers from the previous day - and an extra portion of grains. The toucans are a bit more spoiled and get a plate of fruit. Of course, fresh water is also provided for everyone, and then the birds are happy.

Cocoa

Several times during this week, we equipped ourselves with mosquito repellent as best as we could and set off into the jungle to collect cocoa fruits. The yellow things sometimes shine like gold on the trees, but even slightly green fruits are already ripe and ready to be picked. Using long sticks with knives attached, we collected everything possible from the trees and carried sacks until we were exhausted (or could no longer find the boat where we should have stored the sacks...). After that, we proceeded to cut open the fruits and remove the beans, which usually became the afternoon program. With some music as accompaniment or funny conversations with the other two Swiss volunteers, Nina and Dario, or the worker Manuel, this was a rather relaxed and sociable task - but slippery. And occasionally, you can sniff a fresh bean - they taste really good if you don't bite into and eat them ('nome sugge').

We couldn't proceed further in the process due to the constant moisture and regular rainfall. Fermentation is underway, and then the beans need to dry. But we naturally tasted the life elixir (the juice that the fermenting beans still release, so to speak) - very delicious!

The cocoa grown here on the premises is used by Chuchini itself or sold - depending on the processing stage - in the city.

Forestry Work

One of the most physically demanding tasks was definitely walking into the jungle with machetes to improve the paths. This is necessary every two months, as the rainforest quickly grows over the paths again, making them impassable. So, protect yourself from top to bottom against mosquitoes - meaning: rubber boots, light-colored, long clothes, and preferably a net over your head - and off you go on the machete tour. The mosquitoes swarm around you - but the red ants that fall from the branches onto you and attack you are even more nasty. We were always happy when we had made the path passable again and could leave it behind us.

Stage Construction

We both completed a special assignment together with Chef Ibis. For a larger group, which comes to the lodge every year for celebrations during carnival time, a small stage was needed next to the actual dining area. So we dug three holes, which caused a few blisters on Mathias's hands, and then sank three pillars, on which the framework and the wooden slats were attached. Besides the blisters, this caused some back pain, especially for Mathias. The wooden slats were ridiculously heavy and had to be carried about two hundred meters across the premises. But with a cloth as a cushion on the right shoulder, it was manageable.

And so on...

There was always something small to help with. Therefore, regular dishwashing and some cleaning tasks were part of the activities. Seraina cooked once, or we both helped dear Dona Jenny with the preparations. And the children always kept you on your toes. Either drawing, teaching colors, or just goofing around - there was always something to do. And when all the work was done and the kids took a nap in the hammocks, two cats and three dogs (especially one of them) longed for some cuddling.

And then - yes, then there was room for a longer siesta every day after lunch, and we would lie down in the hammocks ourselves and doze off.

We went to bed tired but satisfied every evening - after a few hours of generator power, with a fully charged laptop and mobile phone battery, and a little light and a fan to make falling asleep more comfortable.

During the whole time, we took photos and videos for ourselves - and Mathias even edited some videos for Chuchini. So today we can show you three new videos of what we have experienced. Enjoy and see you soon from La Paz, our next destination.

You can watch the one-minute tourism video for 'Chuchini' here: 

And here's the comprehensive wildlife clip: 

Our volunteering experience in a video: 

More information: 

- Chuchini.org website

- Chuchini on Instagram

Thanks to the whole 'Chuchini' family - and see you next time!