Step Into the Heart of Northern Uganda

Spend a week—or two—working side‑by‑side with guardians, dogs, and our incredible team in our veterinary hospital and field clinics.

For your next vacation, why not experience the incredible work that we do in Northern Uganda? If you have any experience with animals, that's great, but no special skills are required to make a meaningful contribution during a volunteer vacation with The BIG FIX Uganda. We also host veterinary student externships.

When you volunteer with us, you will stay on our 4-acre compound in The BIG FIX Uganda Guesthouse and have a private room and washroom. The guesthouse is located just steps away from our hospital in a picturesque Village.

$700/week per person, or $100/day, includes lodging at The BIG FIX guesthouse, along with delicious home cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Please note we typically require a minimum stay of one week. Click the button below to fill out our volunteer application and view our FAQs below or email info@thebigfixuganda.org for additional questions.

Volunteer Application
Volunteer Application

Join the World Rabies Day Volunteer Team

While we accept volunteers year round, one special option is to join us for World Rabies Day and World Animal Day! This 11-day trip is a unique opportunity to be part of our massive rabies vaccination campaign on September 28th and to be part of The Great Dog Games we hold every year with our Comfort Dog Project guardians on October 4th. Space on this team is limited to 4 volunteers. Cost for 2026 is $1,000 which includes airport pick up and transfers, stay at a guesthouse in Entebbe upon arrival, roundtrip private transport to/from Gulu, three home cooked meals a day, full-board lodging at The BIG FIX Uganda Guesthouse, and participation in all activities for the 11 days.

If you have been looking for a trip to inspire, an opportunity to empower a local community, and to experience the joy that comes with making a difference, this is the trip for you.

For more information email info@thebigfixuganda.orgor click the button below to fill out our volunteer application.

Volunteer Application

Hear From Past Volunteers

“I want to sincerely thank you for making it possible for me to spend a week with The BIG FIX Uganda team. It has been a truly inspiring and enriching time. I have learned so much, not only about the work being done, but also about the values and compassion that guide it.

I hope my photo reportage will be worthy of the remarkable mission your organization carries out every day. Thank you again for allowing me to witness and document such meaningful work. I am leaving with not only photographs, but also a deep admiration for The BIG FIX Uganda and your people.” —Isabelle Serro

“Even though we were delayed by a day and arrived to your compound late, we still had a delicious meal waiting for us and the rooms were super clean and cozy.

It was fascinating and moving to talk to so many people involved in the Comfort Dog Project and see so many lives changed for the better. And seeing the amazing work of your veterinary doctors was remarkable. We look forward to visiting again.” —BBC People Fixing The World Podcast Team

“Volunteering with The BIG FIX was an awesome experience and I wish I could have stayed longer.  I found the organization run with efficiency, calmness, and kindness. All of the staff were extraordinary. I felt their energy, commitment to the mission, and their openness to me amazing and comforting. I looked forward to the comfy, welcoming meals at the guest house each night.

My favorite time was with the outreach to the schools. A Comfort Dog guardian and their dogs would present information at a school assembly of how to care for dogs, the importance of treating dogs with kindness and examples of how the dogs were trained. The children were so engaged and enthusiastic as many had not experienced positive interactions with dogs in the past. I loved seeing their excited faces, hearing their laughter and overall openness to learning how the dogs provided comfort to their guardians. It was a rewarding experience for them and for me!” —Deidre Rye

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We invite everyone with a desire to help animals and people in Uganda to apply. There is a role for everyone from veterinary professionals and students seeking field experience, and animal lovers in general. The volunteer tasks offered to you will match your level of experience and comfort. Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Some examples of the work you will do:

    • Assisting at veterinary field clinics (surgical assistance for those with proper education/training) - surgical preparation, surgery, recovery, vaccination, record-keeping, grooming/washing of animals.

    • Participating in the operations of our veterinary hospital - assisting with client consultations, examination of animals, surgical preparation, surgery, recovery, care of patients with cancer and complex cases, cleaning, feeding and playing with dogs.

    • Visiting our animal kindness clubs and participating in their activities and programs.

    • Assisting in regular training sessions of the Comfort Dog Project dog/guardian teams.

    • Participating in public education and awareness through school and village outreach, radio programs and community meetings.

    • Participating in rabies surveillance and response activities.

    We also cater programs to suit the interests of volunteers.

  • The cost is $700 per week or $100 per day. A 7 day minimum is normally required but this can be waived for certain exceptions. The cost includes full board at The BIG FIX Guesthouse, including three home cooked meals each day. This does not include the cost of roundtrip transport to and from the airport in Entebbe to Gulu.

    For special volunteer trips with a minimum number of participants, roundtrip transport to Gulu and other items can be included in the total trip cost, with advanced preparations.

  • Complete our Volunteer Application. We will then contact you regarding scheduling your volunteer visit with us.

  • Yes. You will need a passport to travel to Uganda, unless you are a resident of Uganda or one of the East African Union countries.

  • Yes. Once you submit a Volunteer Application, we will provide you with information on how to apply online for your visa to enter Uganda.

  • Yes. Contact Us for assistance with scheduling a group visit at info@thebigfixuganda.org

  • You should contact your health department for recommended vaccinations for travel to Uganda. If you do not obtain pre-exposure rabies vaccinations, you must sign a form agreeing to obtain post-exposure treatment as prescribed in the event you have any potential exposure.

    Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter and depart Uganda. We also strongly recommend malaria preventative medication.

  • Yes!

  • Yes. Our facilities are located on a 4-acre compound in Koch Village in Gulu City. The premises are entirely fenced and we have gatekeepers during the day and at night.

    Additionally, you will find our village and Northern Uganda in general to be very safe and full of friendly people.

  • Yes. You are required to have travel insurance including medical and evacuation coverage and to provide proof of this prior to arrival in Uganda.

  • Please wait until you have filled out our Volunteer Application first, and we will confirm your visit before booking your flight. We have limited capacity to host visitors and reservations are accepted on a first come-first served basis.

  • You will fly in to and out of Entebbe, Uganda.

  • If you live in the United States, your trip expenses may be deductible as a donation to charity. Please consult a tax professional for more information.

  • Yes, The BIG FIX Uganda offers laundry service.

  • It is recommended that you bring the money you need and rely on debit cards only when needed as the fees can be high and cash may not always be readily available from ready teller machines.

    Please make sure that you bring U.S. Dollars in higher denominations ($50 or $100) to get the best exchange rates. Lower denominations bring very low exchange rates. It is also imperative that you bring new/newer bills with no marks or tears. Bills with marks or tears are likely to be rejected by the banks in Uganda.

  • Please reach out to us at info@thebigfixuganda.org and we would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. We look forward to working with you to schedule your volunteer vacation with us!