Program Reviews

I would highly recommend this programme. I met so many amazing people and had so many great experiences that were unlike any that I’ve ever had before. I was able to develop my skills and learn lots about marine conservation through hands on experience. GVI made the whole thing enjoyable and informative and the members of staff were extremely passionate which just made the whole thing even better! I would recommend this programme to everyone who wishes to gain experience in marine conservation.

In 2017 I completed a 2 week Volunteer trip with GVI at the Karongwe Big 5 Game Reserve. The experience I had then blew my mind and I simple had to get myself back out to South Africa and immerse myself fully into the experience. In 2019 I found myself re-entering the gates of the reserve about to partake on a 6 week long wildlife conservation internship. It was simply amazing being back, with base feeling instantly like home to me. When you share your living and study space with others of the same mentality, drive and ambition the interactions and conversations never fail to disappoint. From testing each other on our bird knowledge, having drum lessons under the light of a full moon to sharing stories of the days drives around the heat of the brie pit...unbeatable!!
The reserve has a metapopulation of Cheetah as do most across Southern Africa, the focus was KCF the newly transferred young female. We would spend our drives tracking her movements and interactions with the male coalition KZN (Kwa, Zulu & Netal) as well as the other predators on the reserve. It was fascinating plotting GIS maps which pinpointed her home ranges as well as close encounters with the Lion pride, Sub Zero at their helm.
We would inevitably encounter all the big 5 during our general reserve drives and log additional data for Birds of Prey, Kills, Rhino IDs, hyena dens etc. Being so close to such monumental animals was within itself mind blowing although when submerged by so much beauty from the land beneath us to the ever changing sky above us I found myself being taken aback by such small seemingly overlooked things. From the first break of morning sun across the mountain tops to the scurrying sounds of dung beetles battling over the mounds of dirt covering the path in front of us. Reserve work drives were always an entertaining experience too; heading out to the bush working on tree management, invasive species control, bush clearance, tree planting and land rejuvenation. When the sun began to set behind the mountains we'd make tracks back to base with sweat soaked shirts, grubby skin and achy limbs but we'd all feel an over powering sense of accomplishment and pride that we'd actively made a positive impact to the running of the reserve and the protection of all the wonderful curiosities held within.
There is something utterly simplistic that touches my heart in a place like this, being cut off from the outside world to bask in the greatness of mother nature. Watching how everything is so expertly entwined together and being a part of protecting something so special and significant to our own existence it's something I urge all of us to do and feel at some point in life.
Life on base is enough to rave about in itself but we're surrounded by an untold amount of places to adventure and experience. I made the most of my Sunday's and mini weekends to explore places like the epic Kruger National Park, took a drive through the Panoramic Route, visited Jessica the Hippo and spent an afternoon at HESC were I saw the King Cheetah for the first time...out of this world!!
Becoming part of the GVI family has expanded my mind and heart in so many ways, I was filled with so much new knowledge during both my stays at Karongwe and I am left thirsty for this journey to continue. I have signed up to complete my full 6 month internship back on the same base...it just goes to show how much of a lasting impression the place, people and wildlife had on my soul.
GVI has given me the confidence to push myself in ways I didn't think I ever could, I have found the courage to leave my job of 8 years in Central London to chase my dreams of working in wildlife conservation full time. My glass is already filled with so much priceless hands on experience and with my continued path into this field with GVI I believe my opportunities will be endless whether abroad or home in England. I am excited to see where this next year takes me and will forever be thankful to the GVI team in the UK and South Africa for being a part of it and turning my dreams into reality!!

My time volunteering at Jalova with GVI was incredible, I've gained memories and friends I will always cherish. I saw some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring things in nature that I still can't believe, the surveys and time helping the turtles was so unique and rewarding. The experiences in the jungle test you and help you learn a lot about yourself. The work GVI is doing is amazing and I can't wait to participate in another project. I would recommend this to anyone, truly a life changing experience.

GVI is a fantastic company to volunteer for with so many great projects around the world. After I visited GVI Chiang Mai base it changed my thinking and my career plans. The impact that the project has is astounding. The relationship between GVI and the local community is completely unique. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and the villagers take you into their homes and cook for you. Spending time walking with the elephants in the forest is a special experience and I would thoroughly recommended enrolling on this project.

I spent 6 months volunteering with GVI in Jalova, Costa Rica (Wildlife Expedition), and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The location was remote but is something most people never get the opportunity to see. Living and working within the jungle was amazing. Whether you are walking along the beach, walking through the forest, or canoeing through the canals, there is always something new to see and something new to explore. It is a magical experience to be walking along the beach at night, and suddenly see a turtle coming out of the surf to lay her nest, or be walking through the forest and suddenly see a rare animal on the path ahead of you.

This expedition is not for everyone - the location is remote, and it does require some level of fitness (walking for several hours a day, mostly). However, for those who are willing to give anything a go, and are able to adapt to local conditions then it is an unmissable experience, in my opinion. For anyone with an interest in conservation or animals will immensely enjoy their time with GVI in Costa Rica.

The staff members are very knowledgable and passionate about the work they do. Most of them are former volunteers themselves. They understand the challenges new people may face and do their best to make people feel welcomed. New volunteers generally arrive every two weeks and are from many different countries, so it is also a good chance to meet people from all over the world and from all walks of life.

I hope you decide to visit this project in the future - you won't regret it!

My time in Laos with GVI was an unforgettable experience that I will forever cherish. From arriving until the day I departed the base team in Laos were extremely helpful and supported through any problems I had. I felt super nervous in the first week because I had never really been abroad, nor any teaching experience, however after a couple of days it becomes second nature to you with guidance from the base team but also from my fellow volunteers. This experience opened by eyes to the world, working in a developing community and living in a completely different way of life (culturally especially), changes your perspective on so many things when you return home. The children appreciated education and they would even come into the school on their vacations because they are so eager to learn!!
I made friends for life in Laos and I am still in contact with today many of the people I met on this program. I recommend this to everyone, especially if you're having a gap year or want to travel in your break whilst participating in a valuable project! I will be graduating this July and plan on travelling the America's where I will be stopping off in Costa Rica for my second GVI experience.

Step into another world and experience a completely new culture and you'll learn so much more about yourself that you probably thought you never would... Yet you are just in another country, with the most welcoming and kind hearted people who want to joke around and laugh with you, but most importantly they want to share their experiences with you and get to know you. But don't forget you're there to volunteer and teach! Teaching English to Novice Buddhist Monks in Luang Prabang, Laos in 2017 was my 3rd time volunteering abroad and of my international experiences the one I’ve taken the most away from. From start to finish the whole GVI team were there to assist in every way possible. Settling in during the first day was easy, everyone was so happy to be there and willing to jump right in and start planning for the weeks to come. The GVI team assist with everything for the lesson planning and organising so all the volunteers feel confident to begin class the following days. The journey to the temple on day one was full of excitement and the moment you see the Novice Monks dressed traditionally the eyes light up around the bus, I distinctly remember this day when the Novices ran over and wanted to know all about us, our names and where we were from etc. A typical day after classes at the temple led us to the library in the township where we would teach smaller classes of teenage Novice Monks, these smiling Novices were a barrel of laughs and were so much fun to teach! The evening was for classes at the Mekong English Centre, not just teaching Novice Monks but also local students wishing to learn English too. The whole experience from arrival to leaving Laos was incredible and I would go back any day. Next stop volunteering with GVI in Nepal!

I've want to go travelling for a good few years now and decided to start my travelling with a month volunteering in Kerala with GVI. I couldn't have made a better decision. The first day I got into India before meeting GVI I was pretty worried I'd made a mistake. I was on my own, knew no one and was completely overwhelmed by the noise, hustle and bustle and general madness all around me that was day to day Indian life!
The next day GVI took me under their wing and over the next month I completely fell in love with India and Fort Kochi, where I was volunteering, in particular. The whole experience gave me a completely different view on Indian life and culture that I wouldn't have been able to experience any other way. You get to know the locals and interact with them as if you've lived there all your life, and they genuinely except you as if you have, once you get over the language barrier!
Getting to watch the different schools football skills progress and their fitness and stamina improve week by week was a real privilege also, as well as watching the vulnerable adults become more and more willing to get involved with activities and I was extremely sad to have to say goodbye to the program. I wish I had a booked on for far longer! All in all by the time I left the program I felt I had grown as a person, become more confident in myself, helped to give back to a community that had immediately accepted and been nothing but kind to me my entire stay and was ready and extraordinarily excited to explore, see, hear and experience as much of India as I could on the rest of my trip.

When I departed on my U18's service learning trip, I was extremely nervous. Don't get me wrong, I was excited, but the idea of travelling all alone to a country I had never been to before was very daunting. However, upon arrival in Thailand I was greeted by some of the warmest people I have ever met. The staff were lovely, and I immediately felt safe and secure. But more than that, I immediately bonded with all of the other people on my trip. Most people had traveled alone, thus everyone was super friendly and eager to mingle. After some skill training sessions and educational lessons, we began the service aspect of our trip. During my week in Ban Nam Khem, I had the extraordinary opportunity to help out with various tasks at the sea turtle head-start program, aide in small construction projects at a local school, and participate in multiple beach clean up initiatives. The second week of my trip was considered an 'adventure week' in which we were expertly guided throughout breathtakingly beautiful sights and towns, whilst still preforming some volunteer work such as beach clean ups. Ultimately, the two weeks I spent in Thailand were genuinely life changing. Not only was I able to acquire new skills in teamwork, independence and volunteerism, I was also able to meet some of my now closest friends and enjoy some of the most beautiful sights in the whole world. Thank you so much to GVI for this incredible experience. I can't wait to meet you again somewhere else in this world!

I have so many wonderful things to say about GVI I never know where to start!! I volunteered on their Women's Empowerment Programme in Fort Kochi, and it's an experience I will never forget. I took away some huge learnings about myself, about Indian and specifically Keralan culture, the exciting changes and challenges to women's empowerment in the local community, the list goes on. It has changed my perspective on many aspects of world we live in, and helped me better understand my strengths. Also, I was impressed by GVI's commitment to the sustainability of their programmes, delivering real, tangible, clear and significant value to the communities they worked with as well as to the volunteers.

GVI do a fantastic job of keeping volunteers safe, which was a significant concern for me as a solo female traveller, going to India for the first time. With airport pick ups, signing in and out of base, emergency phone numbers, training on all emergency procedures... I felt safe and comfortable throughout my trip.

To anyone considering this, if you can, do it!! I have no doubt you will have a fantastic, unforgettable experience.