Kibbutz Lotan is located in the Arava Valley in southern Israel and is home to stunning desert birds. Here the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa converge, forming a natural land bridge that is traveled by hundreds of millions of migrating birds each year. In the heart of it all, Kibbutz Lotan has become recognized as an oasis in the dry desert and renowned for Eco- tourism services and sustainability.
The kibbutz is located 55 km from Eilat. Founded in 1983 by Reform youth movement graduates, Kibbutz Lotan is one of the youngest Kibbutzim in Israel. Its population is small, about 230 residents, as well as students, national service and service gap year participants and tourists. Almost all share an interest in nature and enjoy dwelling in the beauty of their desert home. The Lotan community is an Eco-Jewish community that tries to put into practice ecologic considerations side by side with a liberal Jewish lifestyle.
The Lotan community is a pluralistic community that respects diversity, a vibrant community with a range of cultural, educational and spiritual activities, including social opportunities, shared learning and after work activities. Lotan has a basketball court, football pitch, dining room and a unique center for Creative Ecology with a playground built from recycled materials and large organic teaching garden. Kibbutz Lotan covers about 2,220 dunams. Its main sources of income include agriculture and tourism. The mainstays of our agriculture are date plantation the dairy cow herd. We are also partners in the marine aquaculture plant near the Gulf of Eilat and the regional Date Packing House.
In the field of tourism: "Eco-Kef", the creative ecology park offers a range of day visits and workshops in periods of up to one month, guest houses for groups and desert trips on foot or guided by a kibbutz member who is a licensed Israeli tour guide in three languages. Every Friday afternoon (or Thursday evening, depending on the season) there is a local 2 hand shop, opening for all the kibbutz people. Once a month it becomes a bigger event with stands of local people who make music, food, art, jewelry and all kind of things. Lotan has a strong sense of community and people who are spending some time in the kibbutz are invited to take part to different events and celebrations.
Work places on the Kibbutz: The volunteers in Lotan work in kibbutz branches that need manpower - usually dates fields, tourism and education - kindergarten afternoon activities for elementary school kids. Also sometimes kitchen/dining hall.
The living accommodation of the volunteers in the kibbutz: In our Kibbutz all the volunteers share an apartment with 3 bedrooms, a big living room, a kitchen, 2 restrooms and one shower.
Please note that the information on this page is general information about the kibbutz. We cannot guarantee that you will be placed in this kibbutz. The placement in the kibbutz is decided only following an interview between the KPC staff and the volunteer, upon his arrival to our office in Tel Aviv. We are unable to commit a placement in the kibbutz in advance.