Location
  • South Africa
    • Limpopo
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Lodge
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Accommodation Airfare Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Nov 01, 2023
Sep 04, 2024
116 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation because of the numerous cultures and languages represented in this diverse country. It’s a land with impressive wildlife, tasty food, and varied and breathtaking landscapes from the savannahs of the Kruger to the white sand beaches and impressive mountains of Cape Town.

By volunteering with GVI in South Africa, you can get involved in meaningful projects that support wildlife conservation in South Africa. Your support impacts the sustainable development objectives of each project, and works according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In your free time, experience wildlife safaris and breathtaking sunsets in the bush, travel to the famous Kruger National Park, explore the Panorama Route and enjoy South Africa’s diverse foodie scene.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Support global sustainable efforts that contribute towards the long-term objectives of each program.
  • Be surrounded by South African wildlife, world heritage sites, and natural wonders.
  • Live and travel in South Africa, connecting with the local community and other international volunteers.
  • Become a world citizen as you learn about different cultures, lifestyles, local cuisines, and traditions.
  • Improve your CV by adding skills in wildlife conservation, teaching, health and education, and community development.

Popular Programs

Pride of lions in South Africa

Live on a private reserve in Limpopo, experiencing the surrounding wildlife in its natural habitat, all while contributing towards meaningful conservation and research efforts for wildlife protection. Learn about biodiversity and habitat monitoring, and how to track and identify each species.

Students collecting data in South Africa

Track elephants, buffalo and rhino while actively contributing to wildlife conservation. Live in the South African bush with fellow participants and engage in vital research initiatives. This isn't just a safari; it's a life-changing experience that makes a real impact.

Lioness and her cubs in South Africa

Work with our international team studying big cats. Learn to track and record lions and leopards, understand their interactions, and assess prey choices. Contribute to vital conservation efforts and gain hands-on experience in preserving ecosystems.

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 50 reviews
  • 5 rating 90%
  • 4 rating 8%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 2%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.9
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 50 reviews
Default avatar
Max
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Formative and Fascinating

GVI Limpopo has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Arriving on base you are met with well trained staff who perfectly reflect the core values of GVI, as well as many passionate, friendly and helpful volunteers. Life of base is incredibly fun and the time you get to be able to meet and form friendships with the other participants and staff is incredibly valuable. On the two drives you go on each day you are driven by an incredibly knowledgable staff member who knows a literal unbelievable amount about the wildlife on the reserve and are always up for chatting with us and going on fascinating tangents about all sorts of wildlife. It is clear that GVI and the staff working on base care an incredible amount about the participants, our life on base and our life before and after GVI.

GVI has been a time of formative experiences and has helped guide my thinking in the weeks after landing back in the UK.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely bring layers for the cold morning drives!
Pros
  • People
  • Staff
  • Experience
Cons
  • Showers
16 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Max,

Thank you for leaving a review on your time in South Africa.

I love that picture of the giraffe and the other pictures you have taken! It has been great to hear that you enjoyed your experience so much and feel that it has made a lasting impact on you and your life.

We hope to see you again, either in South Africa or at another GVI base!

All the best,
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Amy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience in South Africa

I went to South Africa for the animals, but the highlight of my experience were the friends I made during my trip (although the animals were absolutely amazing!) I met so many like minded people of various backgrounds and cultures, and during time off I had the opportunity to travel and meet the locals. I learnt a lot during my time on Karongwe Game Reserve, staff were very informative and passionate about what they do. I thoroughly enjoyed getting hands on with camera traps, research drives and participating in surveys, going from watching this sort of stuff in documentaries to actually doing it myself was an incredible opportunity. The accommodation was definitely basic but I didn't mind this, I found it added to the experience.

239 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Amy

Thank you for reviewing your experience. It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I'm happy that you can see how passionate our staff are - their energy really can enhance your experience. It warms my heart to hear the highlight of your experience was forming connections with your peers. These are really strong bonds and lifelong friendships! Please keep me updated if you and your peers ever connect further in the future, I'd love to hear more!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Oliver
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic time!

Amazing time! The staff are super knowledgeable and organized, always ready to answer questions about the work, animals or any organizational help you need. The volunteer work is enjoyable and interesting, with loads of opportunity for wildlife sightings. Recording the data and the practical conservation drives really make you feel like your doing something useful! On off days there are plenty of places to explore as well, day trips to Kruger or Blyde Canyon are well worth it. Would definitely recommend it to anyone even a little interested in wildlife conservation.

Pros
  • Lots of wildlife to see
  • Plenty of areas of natural beauty to see on off days
  • Super knowledgable and friendly staff
Cons
  • If your fellow volunteers and you don't get along it could be rough
  • Shared living space may bother some
513 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Oliver!

Thank you for your review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed your program by learning new things and experiencing exciting wildlife sightings! Thank you for your contribution on these projects and I hope that you will be back soon.

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Freja
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Renewed my passion for nature and wildlife

If you're considering this, do yourself a favour and do it <3
Not only did I get a look into a field I'm very curius about careerwise (wildlife research), I also got my passion for nature and wildlife renewed with a curiousity and wonder I thought I'd lost in childhood.
I've also made amazing friends who I couldn't live without and the staff are so amazing and inspiring.
Lions, hyena, rhino, giraffes... The African sunset and sunrise...
Go. Seriously. You'll be thanking yourself afterwards. I promise.

Pros
  • Experience South African Wildlife up close
  • Amazing social life
  • I learned so much about research and different animal species!
Cons
  • Shared rooms (not too bad once you get used to it)
  • An elephant might come destroy the water pipes (we bought water in a nearby town so we could still drink and cook)
  • It was sad to go back home
530 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Freja!

Thank you so much for such a heartwarming review. It's amazing that your passion for animals was reignited and that you are exploring a career in wildlife! I'm so happy that you were able to connect and create lasting friendships. I have no doubt you will be back in the future!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Alondra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gvi

This was a mind opening experience! We got to see the wildlife so up close and personal. There really is something so unique and special about seeing the wildlife thrive in their natural habitat. As well I’ve made life long friends from so many different parts of the world! I definitely recommend everyone do this at least once in their life! At first I was very skeptic about traveling so far and sharing a room with strangers but you learn to adapt quick. One of my favorite memories there was seeing a leopard on a kill.

Pros
  • Nice people
  • Seeing the Wildlife
  • Helping the planet
Cons
  • Food taste different
  • Sharing bathrooms
  • Sharing rooms
569 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Alondra,

Thank you for taking the time to leave this great review! GVI values hearing about your experience, and we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us. It is so lovely that you made great connections and discovered the beauty that this world has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you back on base (with open arms) and continuing to make an impact. Please keep on spreading your love for GVI.

Default avatar
matthew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime opportunity

I’ve always had a strong passion for wildlife and when i found GVI, i knew it was something i had to do. I’m glad i did as it was everything i expected and more! From day one i was made to feel welcome and was involved in the day to day routines of working within conservation. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable, making the whole experience better. I made memories and friends that will last a lifetime and would 100% recommend anyone, like me who shares a passion for wildlife, to do the program!

Pros
  • Life experience
  • Contribute to conservation
  • Educational
574 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Matthew,

Thanks for your lovely review!

It is so great to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI!

Default avatar
melanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South Africa - Melanie 20 år

I have been in South Africa in limpopp for 2 weeks. It was the first time I had to travel alone. GVI helped a lot before I even left. So nice with a constant help if needed. It was so amazing, and knowing you are making a difference. And experience the culture of the country you are traveling to. Is in itself ladle fantastic. I have met the most amazing people, and made friends from different parts of the world. One reason I chose GVI was that you knew in advance that the animals were living their best lives. They live in the "free" nature. Something I do would back up. Just have to say. Not the last time I travel alone. Good advice along the way. "Allow yourself to dare to jump into the upcoming adventure." The overwhelming, but us the coolest. I still have the biggest smile on.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was nervous before my trip. It was my first alone trip. I did not know 100 percent what I could expect from this experience. But said to myself. "I dare to jump into the adventure" and I did. And it turned out to be a great trip.
572 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Melanie - thanks for your beautiful review!

Amazing news to hear that you had such an unforgettable, action-packed, and soul-enriching time with us at GVI. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI. We look forward to welcoming you back on base (with open arms) and continuing to make an impact.

Kajsa (UK Outreach)

Default avatar
Roimata-Aroha
2/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Phenomenal experience tarred by financial conflicts of interest

I volunteered at the GVI Limpopo (South Africa) base at Karongwe Private Game Reserve.

I had a phenomenal wildlife experience, made lifelong friends, felt that the organisation exceeded my expectations in terms of learning opportunities and was impressed with the well-oiled machine that is GVI. The unpaid interns are your biggest source of knowledge here - they are remarkable in their knowledge and willingness to share this knowledge.

Unfortunately, two fundamental events lead me not to ultimately recommend GVI Limpopo (South Africa):
1. GVI Limpopo actively promotes trophy hunting as a revenue source for conservation. If this promotion was based on data, facts and figures I could accept this. GVI certainly tells you it is. After doing independent research (including requesting sources from GVI Limpopo for the basis for their promotion), the data, facts and figures do not support trophy hunting, quite the opposite. My research demonstrated that GVI Limpopo benefit indirectly financially from this promotion and I am severely disappointed that this organisation has put its financial interests ahead of genuine conservation. To me, this automatically loses credibility.
2. The staff struggled to adequately deal with a complaint of a sexual nature. A complaint was bought to their attention and it took 3 further people raising the issue for the Base Coordinator to implement the right procedures.

If GVI Limpopo could address these two points I would be very comfortable recommending them.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy every moment with the animals! We did often get kicked off locations with animals so when you do get a chance, make the most of it!
622 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi there,

We are thrilled to hear about the positive experiences you had with us. We are, however, sad to hear that you wouldn’t recommend us. We’ve provided responses to your concerns below, which we hope gives some clarity on the points you raised.

GVI does not endorse or promote trophy hunting. However, there are situations when hunting forms part of conservation practices in South Africa, and in other parts of the world, often to ensure long-term successful conservation of certain species. We really encourage all participants to learn more about these factors via peer-reviewed articles. These articles will provide readers with academic studies on the topic and the impact on conservation.

Claims of sexual misconduct are taken extremely seriously at GVI. As an organisation that prides itself on operating under strict health and safety protocols, we have stringent procedures to follow in such serious but rare instances. In this situation, our protocols were followed, and all parties affected communicated they were satisfied with the outcomes. However, if you or anyone else involved is no longer satisfied or comfortable with the outcome, please do get in touch with us. We take this very seriously and we’d be happy to revisit this matter.

If you would like to discuss your experience with us in more detail directly, please contact feedback@gviworld.com. We are a feedback-led organisation and as such, place significant value on all input from our participants, especially regarding such serious incidents.

Amanda - Head of Alumni Services (Global)

Questions & Answers

Hi, so for the cape town projects over 18 it consists of 1 day of lesson planing, normally Monday, and then the rest of the days on site. You get to site at about 9am and go to 3pm with an hour for lunch. You will most likely leave the base at about 8.20 am having had breakfast and made your lunch. In the afternoon after volunteering you have free time to go to the beach, just chill out before you...