Program Reviews

I had never been to South Africa before but I spent six months over there, spending 4 weeks at GVI Karongwe. I did this straight out of high school as a lone travelling female with a love for wildlife. I had heard a lot of tales of some companies being misleading in their contributions to wildlife so I didn’t really know what to expect before I arrived but it was better than I could have ever imagined. I saw so many amazing animals and had the opportunity to experience many of them up close. I also met so many incredible and interesting people from all over the world which helped make the whole experience even better and I’ve remained in contact with several of them! The GVI staff were so helpful in the months leading up to the trip and were so kind and lovely too when I was there it was one of the easiest and well organised programs I spent my time with.

Every day we went on game drives and collected data on a variety of species for their research.I have to say it changed my life in so many ways and actually guided me on my path to the career I am pursuing now.
The team was made up of incredibly skilled drivers, guides and researchers who taught me so many things about conservation, wildlife and the bush as well as research, but I also met people from all over the world and all ages and backgrounds, united by the common goal to contribute to wildlife conservation in South Africa which was incredibly refreshing!

The first week was pretty busy with training week to prepare us for our research drives in the bush and teach us mammal, bird and reptile identification, tracks & signs as well as how to use the equipment, take care of the vehicles and clean and cook for a house of 20+ people but I’m so glad they did that! It makes a world of difference to anyone who has nerves about being new to the South African wilderness.

I would recommend to any traveler looking to visit an unknown country to do it through the GVI programs, it’s an incredible way to learn and contribute to the community/wildlife in a hands-on way. I can’t recommend it enough, it’s put me on the path of wildlife research for the rest of my life!

My time in GVI Phang Nga, Thailand was amazing. The staff are all incredibly supportive and so dedicated to the cause, and were always open new ideas, allowing for the constant evolution and growing success of all the projects. The fact that GVI are so well respected within the local community just goes to show the extent of the impact that GVI are creating, and it was amazing to be a part of the positive work going on through GVI. I would not fail to hesitate to recommend GVI and hope I can return soon to the Thailand base to continue to support the amazing work being done by GVI there.

In February 2020, I spent 4 weeks in Pokhara, Nepal on the GVI Healthcare programme, and I can honestly say it was the most amazing 4 weeks of my life. I spent time visiting two different schools, conducting healthcare workshops on a variety of topics from hand washing and dental health to friendship. The children seemed very engaged and receptive to our workshops, and being allowed to independently lead the classes gave me the opportunity to improve my leadership skills, whilst always being supported by the GVI staff so I never felt alone. The GVI staff were all incredible, always taking onboard volunteers suggestions and creating a happy and supportive environment. One of the main reasons I loved the GVI Pokhara base was because of its strong sense of community with all staff and volunteers being united by their unwavering commitment and determination to complete all project tasks to the best standard possible. The work done by GVI in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is so clearly appreciated by the people there and the fact that if you ever mentioned you were working with GVI you would only ever receive a positive response highlights the fabulous work done by the GVI team. I would not fail to recommend GVI to anybody, and particularly the Pokhara base, which provided me with 4 unforgettable weeks and is somewhere I am hoping to return to in the near future.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to spend 2 months volunteering on a teaching programme in Cusco with GVI. From pre-arrival to when I returned home, I felt fully supported by all of the GVI team. The staff in Peru were excellent, and really allowed us as volunteers to grow through giving us a great deal of responsibility in planning and delivering lessons, whilst always being there to help and support us with any difficulties we came across. It was amazing to work with ladies in the communities and gain a greater understanding about their way of life, whilst teaching them the necessary English for their tourism businesses. Cusco is also an excellent location in terms of opportunities to explore more of what Peru has on offer. I cannot recommend GVI as an organisation enough, and particularly the Cusco base. It is clear that the work that GVI does there is really appreciated and benefiting those in receipt of it, and I am so happy to have been apart of the GVI community there.

I spent 2 months volunteering here during collecting data on turtles and sharks. The island looks like an actual postcard, it’s tough to put into words how beautiful it is. White sand beaches and perfect blue oceans full of wildlife, not a bad place to chill out when your surveys are finished. I spent January and February here and was lucky enough to be there at the end of turtle nesting season and the beginning of hatching season, meaning I got to see turtles come up on the beach to nest and also young hatchlings go to the ocean. It was also shark pupping season so I got to see some young sharks in our surveys. After a full week of surveys weekends were tour own to do with what you like, either stay on the island and climb the mountain or explore the surrounding islands. I can’t recommend this place highly enough.

This program was so well organised and run. GVI gave all the information I could need before going on the trip so felt prepared. The set up in the local community was amazing - you really felt like they were benefiting so much from the work we were doing.
The feel in the GVI house was so welcoming and there were regular social things organised so got to know the people we were sharing the experience with very quickly and feel at home which just made everything that much more fun and enjoyable. Would definitely go on another GVI project!

Hello there,
You're probably reading this review because you want to know more about the volunteering experience or are not too sure about this experience. I hope I can ease your mind. Those 3 months were breathtaking. The students, who you have the honor to teach, are so extremely hard working. You can truly see their excitement and eagerness to learn. Teaching in this extraordinary atmosphere was easy and wonderful. I taught children starting at age 9, up to teenagers and even college students. Every class was a bit diverse and challenged me in different ways. I was scared first, because I've never taught anyone before. The staff members held a one week training course, which helped me immensely. Even after the 1 week course they were always there for you and helped you with any questions you had. With time, I got super comfortable and felt a ease standing in front of my classes and even teaching them alone (which you don't have to, if you don't want to!). You can always talk to the staff members if you're not comfortable with specific classes, if you're feeling not challenged enough or challenged too much. Even outside the class room the staff members became such good friends. With Valee, one staff member, and some Lao students we played football on the weekends. Before a game, Valee went to the market with Krishan (a Volunteer and now a very good friend of mine) to buy some football shoes, which was an impossible mission because of the shoe size. :)
You're honestly making friends for life throughout your experience there. Everyone that arrives at this magical place, has something in common from the start. Helping these amazing students with their English. Working together and spending time after class helps you to bond with everyone very quickly. I've met so many amazing, open, heart warming people in my time there.
With my 3 months I was one of the people staying the longest and even then I had the feeling it went by way too quick. Take some time. Don't come for just 2 weeks. The students have to get to know you, you have to get to know the work and people there. Stay for as long as you can, you won't regret it, I promise.

The 2 months I spent teaching in Luang Prabang have genuinely been life-changing for me. I was nervous at the beginning - I didn't know what to expect, especially since this was my first time travelling abroad alone not forgetting about the distance. Upon pre-departure, the team was excellent they provided lots of support with documents and any queries I had regarding VISA's, money and communication throughout my journey. I was picked up by George, one of the local staff members, who was extremely welcoming. The introduction to the programme and the town was well put together and detailed. The staff were so easy to talk to. If I had any problems they were resolved promptly. I was eased into the teaching and took things at my own pace. I was allowed to do as much as I felt comfortable doing. The first week you have training sessions in the morning that prepare you for teaching the classes. It's very easy to follow even if you don't have prior teaching experience it helps immensely for the duration of the programme. The students had such a hunger to learn and were kind and welcoming too. There are certain rules to uphold but it wasn't difficult to do, I eventually got used to it especially when it came to teaching the novice monks. The local people were kind and generous, I felt like I became part of a community, I made so many friends with not just other volunteers but the locals, and students too. There were lots of places to go and visit, like the Elephant Sanctuary and Kuang Si waterfall- there was always something to do. You have weekends off to go exploring, or to relax if you wish to. I loved this experience and all the people I met and would 100% recommend it.

Coming here has been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I am beyond grateful for all of the incredible experiences I've gotten have, wonderful people I've gotten to know and love, and to have had the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of working with elephants. The only thing that convinced me to go for this in the first place is the fact that I share GVI's ethical and moral values when it comes to working with elephants, and I really do feel like getting to see them in their natural habitat, spending time with their families, and being free to live with as little human interference as possible has been the most gratifying and fulfilling experience I could have asked for.
As for everyone else that I've worked with during my time here: this place seems to attract the best kind of people, and they've truly become like family to me. I can't imagine having to say goodbye to all of them tomorrow, but I know I will see some - hopefully most - of them again (especially the other long-term interns I've spent the last six months with!)
The staff team have been the best group of people I've ever had the opportunity to work with, and their kindness and humor and support make this project what it is. They are as much my friends as anyone else on project and I will miss them all so much.
Each day on the project is never the same as the one before, and you end up being so busy here participating in all the activities/fundraisers/events, that you forget about all of the books you brought with you to pass the time! (Or at least most of them - reading on the balcony under the tropical sun is one of the best feelings out there.)
Everyone who comes through here brings with them such a diverse set of skills, background, and personality, and it's part of what makes this place so special. We're all so different from each other, but our passions and sense of adventure bring us together, and that bond can be a hard to find.
If you're thinking about doing this, I cannot recommend it enough. This place has given me some of my best and happiest memories and I will always be thankful for this place. I guess that's all for now!

My six month internship here was absolutely amazing, I would recommend this to everyone, since it's not just about the conservation but all the other activities through which you learn. You also start to appreciate small things as the environment is so different that what we are used to. In general - a brilliant opportunity to develop as a person. I would also recommend coming here for at least one month to really embrace the whole experience, since anything less just makes you want to cry when leaving.