Reflections of voluntourists on their experience in wildlife sanctuaries

Abstract Although voluntourism in wildlife sanctuaries is growing, participants often struggle to grasp the structures and impacts of such programmes. Research has yet to systematically examine the interplay between programme characteristics, transparency, and the depth of individual reflection, particularly with regard to perceptual gaps and actual contributions to animal welfare. This study examines how voluntourists reflect on their experiences, which levels of reflection they reach, and what factors influence these processes. Based on six semi-structured interviews with voluntourists, this exploratory study draws on qualitative content analysis guided by Mezirow’s three-level model of reflection. The results show that, although all participants engaged in at least surface-level reflection, only about half reached a deeper, transformative level. Triggers for such reflection included perceived discrepancies between expectations and reality or the initial recognition of problematic structures. This paper advances the theoretical understanding of reflection processes in voluntourism and offers practical recommendations for designing programmes that encourage critical engagement and reduce perceptual gaps. Future research should examine how the different phases of wildlife sanctuary voluntourism influence the depth and sustainability of reflection and transformative learning processes.