Name: Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary
Address: Jones Road, Donnelly's Crossing, 0376, 0379 Donnellys Crossing, New Zealand, Omapere, Omapere, Omapere, 0379, New Zealand
Rating: 9

Smoke-free property

Garden

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Non-smoking rooms

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Diet menu (on request)

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Spanish

English

French

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Hiking

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Parking

Playroom

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Pets Not Allowed

Pets

At the hotel

Kerikeri Airport

Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary

Omapere

I had a stay of seven weeks at Pupu Rangi and it was one of the most amazing seven weeks of my life! I made great friends with all of the volunteers there. So many laughs were shared, stories told, and memories were made in my stay here. We all came from different walks of life and it was just so special and fun to get to know each other! Days were typically spent outside doing work in Northland’s beautiful subtropic forests- exploring and learning about all its native flora and fauna. Nights were spent either laughing / playing games or being out in the forest- listening for the shy and nocturnal kiwi that reside in Pupu Rangi. If you are interested in conservation but would also like to spend your time traveling for a cause, Pupu Rangi is the place for you. A huge thank you to Octavian for sharing such an amazing and extraordinary place to those looking to travel and also take part in such a great cause (to save those kiwi!!)

Such and amazing and special place!

I stayed at Pupu Rangi 5 weeks one year ago already. It was my first international voluntership. I warmly recommend you this place. The location is an experience by itself: Pupu Rangi is situated at a top of the hill, without any wifi and far away from your confort zone. But the experience is really worth it. It's surrounded by marvelous forest, where you will get the chance to see kiwis 😍. 
Octavian will warmly welcome you, he has a big sense of humour, very well storyteller and a good teacher. It's really the best place to be to learn about nature conservation work. Be ready to heard "amazing" plenty of time 😂 and be touch by this big heart project.

Amazing Octavian

The two months I spent volunteering at Pupu Rangi was the highlight of my trip to New Zealand and perhaps of any trip, anywhere. It's one thing to enjoy this beautiful country through sightseeing, but through staying at Pupu Rangi you'll be able to experience it in a wholly different and, in my opinion, better way. I look back fondly not only on the work and all the things I've learnt, but also on living there with the other volunteers. Octavian, thank you for all your efforts.

Best thing I did on my trip to New Zealand and perhaps on any trip

I spent a month as a volunteer here back at the end of last October. This was at the beginning of the 4 months i spent in New Zealand. Octavian the owner is passionate about conservation and a great person to learn from. It wasn't easy but was so very rewarding. If you want to learn about conservation, possibly see or hear a kiwi, or just want to experience doing something completely different, this is the place to go.

One of the most rewarding things i have ever done

My boyfriend and I spent 2 weeks with Octavian and the gang at Pupu Rangi during our 8 months of travelling. It was definitely one of the best experiences we have done and I would highly recommend it.

If you are interested in nature and conservation, want to try something unique and want the challenge of living off the grid (no phone signal, no electricity, no flushing toilet) then this is definitely for you.

I fondly remember days spent exploring the dense Kauri forests, using maps to uncover and clear the overgrown paths, nights on forest walks searching for the illusive kiwis and being dazled by the glow worms and days off at beautiful deserted beaches spotting the sting rays.

Your boundaries will definitely be challenged but the experience will be well worth it. Congratulations Octavian and thank you for creating such an amazing place :D (but please no more cabbage salad!)

Fun and challenging experience

We found this on Booking.com and just had to do it - how often to get to sleep in a tent suspended in a forest? The reserve is "off grid" and quite remote so make sure you get Octavian's email with directions. Facilities are basic but then it is a tent in a forest - no en-suite but we did get fireflies.

A great alternative place to stay.

Don't think this is glamping, because it is so much more unique than that. Tucked away  in the middle of nowhere it's a special place to reconnect with nature. The owner of this lovely piece of New Zealand is creating a safe haven for NZ wildlife,- in particular the kiwi. The native plants are incredible. You can  unwind and enjoy the experience of off the grid living .
 Chemical toilets, showers between the hours of 4 and 6 in the evening, amazing salads (made by the volunteers) and BBQ cooking by the owner.  Homemade cheese, homemade yoghurt..... Not 5 star but who cares. You can have that somewhere else.  
A small group of volunteers put their lives on hold for however long they choose to have a life changing experience.  They spend their days cutting tracks in the bush, setting traps for unwanted rodents or  in the nearby reserve helping to maintain the tracks there. We were lucky enough to go kiwi spotting at a nearby reserve, and we managed to spot 3 in their natural environment. Tick that one off my list!

Sleeping in the suspended tent in the forest was an experience all on it's own. And it is one experience I will never forget. Getting in and out is a bit of an art, probably not so good if you have a sore back. But once you are in the tent, it's very comfy. As soon as I walked into the bush, a smile appeared on my face. Need I say more.... No actually I will.  We have asked if we can come back for a week during this years Christmas break to help out with whatever they are up to at the time. Who knows. Maybe it'll be Christmas itself. 
I need to stop, I could go on. Oh take warm clothes and gumboots. Have a great time. Cheers boss!    

Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary

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