GVI Reviews

Would give zero stars if possible. This company makes you agree to a 180 day waiting period after requesting a refund (with a valid reason, and even after having purchased the “cancellation waiver”). Then, they refuse to refund you, pretend to raise with their “finance team” and ignore messages. They say they have cash flow issues, thus the 180 day wait for your money back. DO NOT USE GVI! They are essentially a scam and will steal your money.

Date of experience: December 04, 2024

This was an amazing experience and I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing project! Ale and Woj and all the team at GVI were so supportive, welcoming and incredibly helpful in supporting me during my two week internship in Tenerife. My experience with GVI has been so inspiring and incredibly rewarding for me as I have gained hands on experience and increased my knowledge on Marine Conservation which is incredibly helpful for me during my time at University. I would 100% recommend this internship for anyone thats passionate about marine conservation and have a specific interest in Whales, Dolphins and Sea Turtles.

Date of experience: January 04, 2025

I spent 2 weeks teaching English in Siem Reap and it was the most incredible experience that I will never forget.
The GVI staff were extremely welcoming, supportive and completely professional. Helena, Theary and Lon are the most wonderful people and have set an inclusive, positive and comfortable environment for everyone. They were also able to cater for a flexible schedule, depending on my interests and my energy levels.
The accommodation at the Secret Garden was outstanding, it really felt like home. The restaurant meals were of a very high quality and the level of service from all hotel staff was exceptional. The setting with its large pool and gardens feels like a sanctuary in the city.
The teaching component was immensely enjoyable, giving me the oppurtunity to meet Buddhist monks and students of all ages.
The locations for teaching were varied which gave me an insight into both community classes based at a Buddhist pagoda and a rural government school.
The only feedback I can offer as something to consider would be:
1. Offer feedback during the programme to reinforce if we are doing well or provide any tips - as most of us are not teachers and are learning on the spot
2. Provide training prior to starting - ie the types of teaching tools available such as various games, quizzes etc, and an indication of what the teaching topics will include (ie telling the time, frequency words etc). This would allow for some preparation prior to attending classes.

Date of experience: December 21, 2024

My confidence in the young people of this planet has increased 100 fold as a result of my time in Huay Pakoot.
It was a pleasure to get to know all the people both on and off base. Jonny is well thought off by the staff and villagers. He has a great sense of humor. Jacob was wonderful, he really loves the Gibbons, has a wealth of knowledge, and on my last day we saw them. It was a unforgettable! As an older person, I was worried about fitting in which turned out to be no worry at all. All the volunteers, staff and locals treated me with kindness thus age never seemed relevant.
Most of all I discovered that the young people of today are really changing the world for the better. They are eager to learn and happy to share. The world we all love is indeed in good hands. Of course the elephants are the true stars of the show. Seeing them up close was a thrill of my life. Way to go GVI, you are making a big difference in the wilds of Thailand!!

Date of experience: December 07, 2024

Overall, my experience with GVI was absolutely amazing. I chose to do a 4 week long conservation internship at GVI Kèköldi in Costa Rica last summer, focusing on big cat monitoring. Having been to the country twice before as a birder and tourist I had some high expectations for GVI, and wanted to learn as much as I could about Costa Rican biodiversity, and what conservation was like. Needless to say, GVI blew every one of my expectations out of the water. The combination of incredible wildlife encounters, food, and learning from GVI guides was absolutely incredible, and made the somewhat daunting idea of living in the jungle for a month absolutely incredible. My main goal at GVI was to learn more about herps and big cats, but I got so much more including prefecting my wildlife photography, help in navigating my career path, and unforgettable experiences. Moreover, I met so many fellow conservationists from around the world, got to practice my Spanish with the locals, and gained some life long lessons and friends along the way. As such, I would recommend GVI and it's Costa Rican base for anyone who wants to experience jungle life, and is passionate about wildlife and conservation. You will not be disappointed!

Date of experience: August 01, 2024

GVI provides an ethical, sustainable way to volunteer. Their programs are running consistently regardless of the volunteers who are helping and they work with local communities in such a way that they don’t creat dependency. Your volunteer fees help pay for the local staff, textbooks as well as the food and lodging. I think it is a great way to volunteer.

Date of experience: December 07, 2024

The GVi team on base and the amazing volunteers we met while there.

Date of experience: January 04, 2025

The organisation set up by Ale & Woj following scheduled elements for the daily activities created a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Sharing the activities with other participants from all over the world helped us bond and appreciate how important it is to meet other like minded individuals with similar aims to help improve awareness for environmental sustainability. Most important of all are the marine life and seeing other wild life whilst collating data added to the contribution we invested to the whole experience. Being stationed at the hub with Tiny our security guard was invaluable and entertaining. Thank You GVI team and our helms lady Olats during our boat surveys. 😬🐬🐋🐢🐈‍⬛

Date of experience: October 12, 2024

I stayed in the Canary Islands doing conservation of dolphins and whales and I have 3 things to say. Wonderful environment. Wonderful people. Wonderful experience! I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend time in my summer and I will be back as soon as possible but for longer. Seeing the marine life up close felt magical and understanding and learning about the intricacies of their species was so interesting. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is interested in marine life

Date of experience: July 16, 2024

My experience with GVI in Fiji was nothing short of phenomenal. It was a life-changing journey that broadened my horizons and transformed my perspective of the world. Living in the village provided a unique opportunity to fully immerse myself in Fijian culture, surrounded by warm, welcoming locals who treated us like family.
We shared weekly lunches with our host families, cheered on the local boys as they played rugby, attended church to listen to the uplifting hymns, and explored Fiji’s breathtaking landscapes. From scenic hikes to serene beach walks, every view was stunning and unforgettable.
As a Community Development Intern, I had the privilege of engaging in diverse and impactful activities. I taught in local schools, conducted health workshops, contributed to a district waste management project, and designed and implemented a financial literacy initiative for village youth.
Through GVI Fiji, I gained invaluable skills, built lasting connections with incredible people from around the globe, and created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. This experience truly holds a special place in my heart.

Date of experience: June 22, 2024

Jess was responsive and prompt. Also her tone in all of her engagements via e-mail are considerate, supportive and positive and she goes the extra mile to obtain information.

Date of experience: December 30, 2024

My experience was made special by the staff. There is a genuine level of care shown by all staff members towards the education of the volunteers and also the environment they work in. This care was shown by constant support both in the field and classroom as well as genuine interactions between staff and participants. There is an obvious passion for conservation within the staff and this was an impactful thing to witness and be a part of.

For anyone who has a passion for learning new skills and exploring natural spaces I would reccomend this program highly. I learned invaluable lessons while developing my diving and walked away with connections to a global organisation.

Furthermore, the experience in Puerto Morelos is perfect for such a program, the participants are provided freedom to explore the local area as well as further afield at weekends. This part of Mexico is super friendly and approachable with good food and a relaxing beach town only half an hour away. Could not recommend it more!

Date of experience: November 09, 2024

Do not register your child for their programs. We signed our daughter up and purchased the cancellation waiver - read the fine print - they have up to 180 days to pay you back! She ended up having to cancel for medical reasons and 7 months late we are fighting for our money back. They claim to have 'cash flow' issues - do not give these people any money!

Date of experience: November 22, 2024

I had such an amazing experience in Cambodia. It’s not only just the amazing sights to see and the history in siem reap, but it’s the people that made it what it was. Getting to know the gvi staff members and always having their support, along with the teachers and students that welcome you with open arms. I came hoping to make a small impact, but instead I was the one who was inspired by all of the people who were involved in my trip.

Date of experience: November 25, 2024

The staff at GVI Ghana were absolutely wonderful. They made me feel welcome and part of the family immediately. All the work on all project was super rewarding and a fantastic experience to be a part of. I hope I’m back one day

Date of experience: December 06, 2024

I had the best time here in Tenerife :) I learned so much about the environment and the animals here and also met the best people who will hopefully stay in my life for a long time. Ale and Woj made sure the project felt like home and I felt so protected here ❤️

Date of experience: November 22, 2024

I had a wonderful time at gvi Keköldi for my 3 month internship. The staff were super passionate and knowledgeable, always ready to help. Everything was neatly organized and I really felt that I learned so much here. The biodiversity at the base alone is crazy and waking up with animals surrounding you was an absolute delight.

Date of experience: November 07, 2024

The work was really clearly set out from the beginning. With great support and an encouraging and welcoming environment, I was able to complete my program successfully at my own pace and help others as a result. My supervisor played an especially pivotal part in my experience as she definitely made the program a smooth experience. The perfect opportunity for those in gap years!

Date of experience: September 23, 2024

GVI were so professional. They treated all the volunteers and the local with respect and enthusiasm. I had had an amazing experience the first time so I came back for more!!

Date of experience: November 23, 2024

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

Yet another lie from GVI. There has been no contact from either GVI or Amanda and certainly no payments. Clearly ‘Amanda’ is blatantly lied to by finance or brand means absolutely nothing to this company.

The insurance we took out with GVI is now months overdue paying out and with no contact from the company we have no idea when it will.

I look forward to being told another hollow promise from Amanda and I fully expect to be posting another negative review in about a weeks time.

DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY

Date of experience: October 04, 2024