GVI, Ethical Impact: Wildlife Conservation Volunteer in South Africa

I actually was in South Africa this past summer through my University and we worked with GVI. It was amazing. It was 100% the best summer of my life. GVI gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in new cultures and connect with people I wouldn't have been able to do before. Forever grateful for the opportunity I had. Those children and women in the township I worked with taught me so much. I loved every part of that experience. They taught to appreciate what you have not to dwell on what you do not have.

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 volunteering experience in South Africa was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I have always had a love for animals, and this experience was everything I had hoped it could be.

The staff create a friendly and safe environment, as well as continue to pass on their knowledge to the volunteers. I learned more in my time with GVI about wildlife than I do in my university classes.

The other volunteers are also extremely likeminded and animal focussed, which makes for a real family feeling. I am still in contact with several of the people I met volunteering.

My trip was so wonderful, I have booked a new trip with GVI, and I would recommend these programs to any travelers looking to do some impactful work in different countries.

I am 17 years ago and was part of the GVI Teens Wildlife Conservation in Limpopo, South Africa. I was there for 2 weeks in July/August 2019 and I can honestly say it was the best two weeks of my life! 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 so many of them up close. It was breathtaking! I also met so many incredible and interesting people from all over the world which helped make the whole experience even better. 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. The only bad thing was having to come home! I definitely think that everyone should try at least one of GVI’s programs. You won’t regret it!

I spent three weeks volunteering at Karongwe Game Reserve in July/August of this year. I enjoyed every second I spent there, interacting with the friendly, approachable staff; who's knowledge of the program and animals is incredible. They really make you feel like you are part of the team and making a difference. The drives that you go on allow you to see and experience wildlife like you have never before. Tracking the animals through telemetry and writing down the data makes you feel like part of the team.

Being educated in different fields that enhance your experience allows you to create a family-like bond with your peers that are on the trip. The family atmosphere that is echoed by the staff strives you to make a difference.

This program is an amazing experience and I would recommend this to anyone.

I just spent 4 weeks in South Africa on gvi's Research Expedition programme, going on game drives almost every day and collecting data on a variety on species for their research. Without wanting to endorse any cliches, I have to admit it changed my life in so many wonderful ways!
Not only did I get to meet an amaying team of drivers, guides and researchers who taught me so many things about conservation, wildlife and the bush as well as their 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. I learned much about them, but maybe even more about myself.
The programme itself was just as great, starting off with a 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 (very useful life skills). The daily research drives were more fun, engaging and fascinating than I could have hoped and we got to see some amazing wildlife from super close up. The staff were always willing to teach and answer questions, expanding our minds, making us think and directing our focus on the small, yet no less remarkable things around us.
There are a thousand memories I would like to share, from stargazing from a safari vehicle in the middle of the bush, being face to face with elephants, lions & cheetah, to the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. I can honestly recommend this programme to anyone interested in wildlife, research or conservation, or anyone who just wants to have a great time in the African bush and meet some great people!
I will certainly never forget my time there and I'm sure it will be the same for you!

As a first time in Africa, I didn’t know what to expect. Despite any hesitations around how the experience would be initially, I felt nothing but at home. The staff were incredibly friendly and prioritized the volunteers every step of the way. It was a unique way to spend a month in a country on the other side of the world from me. The program also allowed me to complete over 200 volunteer hours towards my major.
I would recommend to any traveler looking to visit an unknown country to do it through the GVI programs, as it is a meaningful way to learn and help the community/wildlife in a hands-on fashion.
These programs are excellent for solo adventurists looking to meet like-minded people. It is very easy to relate to everyone, and making friends comes very easy.

I did the wildlife research expedition in South Africa for 2 weeks. The first point I would like make is that 2 weeks is just not enough. Although I loved my time there and had some extraordinary experiences, I felt there was still so much more to see and learn. Of course, if 2 weeks is all you have, then I still highly recommend doing it. But if you have the chance to go for longer, grab it with both hands and don't look back.

On the first day after we arrived, we had our first reserve drive through the private animal reserve we were staying on. We got to simply observe for this, and to see the staff and other volunteers in action. The rest of the first week was a combination of training, lectures and more drives. Things are pretty fast paced so be ready to pick things up quickly as you go. Everyone on drive usually had a job to do so you will always be busy. The second week was more of the same, usually with a drive in the morning at about 5:30am (I know it sounds early), with another one in the afternoon at 3:00pm. These could be general research drives, or an animal or activity specific drive depending on the schedule.

As well as the daily drives, you will be assigned base duty one day a week. This is where you and your partner will clean the whole base and then make lunch and dinner for everyone. For those a little intimidated by the thought of cooking for so many (for me it was about 15-20 people), they have a step by step recipe book with specific meals scheduled each day. This means it’s really hard to go wrong even for the more culinary challenged (I include myself in this category).

I had some amazing encounters even in such a short time. I got to see all of the Big 5 except for a leopard - although I heard them more than once! Other highlights included a Sunday trip to Kruger National Park (arranged by the volunteers themselves), taking part in a mini obstacle course that was designed by one of the longterm interns and the braais (bbq) we had at the end of the week.

If I had any advice for you before you go, take a camera. I only had my phone and I really regretted not having something better to take pictures. The same goes for a pair of binoculars. Also, if you go to South Africa during their winter like I did (June), then take the hat and scarf. Also, layers are essential. You’ll need them for those early mornings and later evening drives because it really does get cold.

The bottom line for me? It was worth it.