Equestrian & Content Support Volunteer

Italia

5

I had such a great time at Vonfidel the farm! The host was very kind, knowledgeable and reliable. He always made sure everything went smoothly and I had a peaceful stay. He helped me sort out transport to and from the farm, and when something unexpected came up he went above and beyond to assit me. The room was very spacious and cozy and the food was absolutely delicious. The horses were so beautiful and healthy. They were clearly very well looked after and cared for. Horse riding in such a beautiful place allowed me to fully recharge and reconnect with nature. I would highly recommend it!

hace 21 días

Alfie respondido

Thank you so much, Chiara — we truly appreciate your kind words. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re very glad you felt comfortable, cared for, and able to enjoy the horses, the food, and the quiet of the ranch. You’re always welcome back, and we wish you all the very best on your journey ahead.

Alemania

5

My experience at Vonfidel the farm was amazing! The whole team is very nice and welcoming and really try their best to make you have a perfect experience. You get 3 meals which are just amazing, you get something different everyday so that you really learn about the local cuisine. The horses are also very sweet and in a perfect condition, they definitely are looked after which was a very important point to me and of course, the riding is just gorgeous! I would definitely recommend coming here if you love horses and don't mind to just chill out in the beautiful nature of sri lanka for a while

hace 6 meses

Brasil

2

Communication with the host was difficult from the beginning, including negative comments about previous volunteers. The experience did not work as a volunteer position: no tasks or activities were presented, and most of the time there was no work to do. The farm is quite remote and there were no independent transportation options. Leaving the place or going to the city required depending on the host, who charged high prices for transportation.

hace 7 días

Alfie respondido

Thank you for your feedback, Marcela. We’d like to clarify that both the host and a guest relations manager were physically present and available throughout your stay, and we were also responsive on WhatsApp — so we respectfully disagree that communication was difficult. We do not provide or charge for transport; tuk-tuks are independent. You chose to leave early and unused nights were non-refundable as the accommodation was reserved for you. We wish you well.

Reino Unido

2

I had hoped to enjoy this experience, but it fell short of my expectations. The room was comfortable and the food was good, but I never felt fully welcomed - more like a guest than a volunteer. The staff were courteous yet very formal, and I had hoped for a more immersive cultural experience. Due to rain, I was only able to ride once, and with limited activities, no Wi-Fi, and weak service, I felt quite understimulated. The host offered little guidance on things for me to do, and I was unable to edit my footage with the lack of internet. The horses, however, were lovely and well cared for.

hace 1 mes

Alfie respondido

Our volunteers are treated as guests. We’re a riding-holiday provider, not a hostel, and expectations should reflect that. As communicated, we host only one volunteer at a time, and staff immersion isn’t appropriate under Sri Lankan tourism regulations. Volunteering succeeds when expectations and contributions align. After hosting about 600 volunteers, my advice is to focus on meaningful contribution, not the cheapest deal — it leads to far richer experiences.

Irlanda

4

The horses at Vonfidel the farm are really well looked after and in excellent condition, the team are welcoming and kind with home cooked meals made everyday. Surrounded by nature and beautiful sunset rides

hace 2 meses

Suiza

5

Since the first moment i felt mostly welcomed there, even before the trip Alfie helped me with the logistics getting there! I stayed there 2 weeks and it was a wonderful experience, you really have the chance to get in touch with nature, but there is no wifi if you need to work remotely Food is simply incredible, and work is not that hard, you have a lot of free time and the place is far from the city so you have to occupy your time there. Since the second day i had the chance to work with horses, all the staff is so kind and explained me everything. highly recommended!!

hace 1 año

Alfie respondido

Hi Amélie,

It was our pleasure to have you with us. Thank you for being an exemplary guest and taking the time to leave us a positive review. We wish you all the best and look forward to welcoming you back anytime in the future!

Reino Unido

5

I was warmly welcomed from the moment I arrived, with great communication in the lead up. The nature surrounding the farm is truly breathtaking - I have learnt the names of so many birds and have seen all kinds of wildlife. I didn't have much riding experience, but the staff at the farm kindly helped me grasp the basics and I always felt at ease. The food was delicious and beautifully presented at every meal. Most importantly, Alfie was the most wonderful host and I am so grateful for this experience. It was truly an honour to stay at Vonfidel the farm and be a part of this beautiful family :)

hace casi 2 años

Estados Unidos

5

Holistic Holliday with Horses is what I would use to describe this wonderful experience. Allie's the farm is the perfect retreat. The work is easy & the environment is so friendly. If you're looking for a place to disconnect with busy city life & reconnect with nature & animals this is the place to do it. 100/10 recommend:)

hace casi 2 años

España

4

Vonfidel the farm offers an unforgettable riding holiday experience where both riders and horses find joy and harmony. Nestled in a serene, tropical setting, the farm provides a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersive nature experiences. With well-trained horses, experienced wranglers, and a focus on comfort and safety, Vonfidel the farm creates a welcoming environment for riders of all levels. Whether you're exploring lush trails or enjoying a peaceful sunset ride, Vonfidel the farm ensures a unique and memorable the farm getaway.

hace más de 1 año

Alfie respondido

Hi Victor,

Thank you for leaving a positive review about your engagement and stay with us. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed your time here. However, we noticed your closing comment about natural horsemanship and wanted to address it.

Throughout your stay, we frequently asked if there was anything more you’d like to experience, and your response was always that everything was great. It’s important to note that our Worldpacker hosting is not intended as a substitute for a natural horsemanship training course. Our primary focus as a business is providing riding holidays. That said, I regret we didn’t have the chance to discuss natural horsemanship during our mealtime conversations—an opportunity that was always available.

Given that your visit occurred between riding holidays, our team was catching up on leave rotation and horse moves between our stables. I could have taken my leave as well, but I stayed to ensure you had the best possible experience. We’ve had occasional volunteers who left feeling under-engaged, and I wanted to give you my full attention and diligence.

I would kindly suggest that, in the future, direct communication with your host could help clarify such matters. You could have easily gained more exposure to natural horsemanship had we known your interest. Our focus was on ensuring you stayed safe in the saddle and created lasting memories. Remember, your visit was for the ‘Cleaning and Administration’ position, not horsemanship, yet we provided daily rides as well while you had the daily opportunity to witness horses of diverse levels lunged.

I do regret receiving a 4-star rating over an issue we could have easily resolved had it been communicated.

Warm regards,
Alfie

Reino Unido

3

Alfie is the best host when he is there however this opportunity was defiantly not what I was expecting. If reconnecting with nature and wanting to dissociate completely from the world then this is a great place to do so! As far as volunteering goes there isn't anything you are required to do except ride Copper. I did struggle with the length of the minimum stay and did leave a little early as felt very much isolated! Learnt a lot about health benefits on food saw more about how locals really live. Didn't see much natural horsemanship but grateful for the opportunity to see how it ran.

hace más de 1 año

Alfie respondido

Hi Rebekah,

Thank you for your review and for sharing your positive experiences and remarks. However, we regret receiving a 3-star rating, as we had no idea you were struggling during your two-week stay. At the time, we had a minimum two-week requirement, but after reading your feedback, we promptly lowered it.

I understand that being in a foreign country may have made it harder to express any discomfort during your stay, but I want to emphasize that we are always open to discussion. We are well-traveled, educated, and mature enough to sit down and address any concerns. For context, I have worked with Fortune 100 companies, where work-life balance and addressing grievances are high priorities—skills I apply here at the ranch as well.

We are also very careful to ensure that volunteers aren’t overworked, and we take extra steps to make sure tasks stay within agreed-upon hours. Our volunteer program is not, and never will be, a replacement for employees, and to suggest otherwise would be completely incorrect. Many volunteers have enjoyed the freedom and flexibility our program offers, making the most of their stay on Sri Lanka’s beautiful east coast. The key difference is that many of them rated us 5 stars, while you rated us lower for the same experience.

It’s unfortunate we didn’t have the chance to address your concerns in real-time, as you consistently mentioned everything was “all good” when I checked in with you. I regret we didn’t have the opportunity to resolve what seem to be simple matters.

Warm regards,
Alfie

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