GVI Avis 

The Madagascar team were truly special, you feel a part of the community, and the impact you can make on the community program is incredible! I also completed the conservation and the knowledge that staff have on the species is incredible, the hikes are amazing also. Overall, the 6 weeks i spent here taught me so much, i was able to explore the whole area (including local islands), with the support of staff and also get to experience the true Malagasy culture.

I undertook the Dolphin Turtle and Shark Conservation Internship in Fiji in summer 2025 and the experience was everything I expected and more. I got the opportunity to undertake and lead a project while working alongside others with other surveys, I learnt so much about working in the field in a different environment to what I am used to. I also had the most amazing time socially, some of the experiences I had and friends I made will never be forgotten, the staff at the time were also so lovely and easy to get on with it really brought the whole thing together. I still describe it as the best 3 months of my life.

I did the Tenerife Marine Conservation internship for one month and it was mindblowing. I feel like I really learned what it meant to work in this field and it was truly fullfilling. The stuff members were amazing, the house where we lived was beautiful (all the common spaces were filled with marine merge - a dream for marine nerds) and the surveys taught me so much. I learned about the species we observed, but also about teamwork, ethics and techniques. Additionally I was able to get in contact with people that were experienced in conservation and got tips from them. I would definitely do another travel with GVI :)

Fantastic experience. Excellent and highly efficient service. Great staff — Jackie and co.

We paid our deposit and then they went silent on us for 3 weeks. Repeated emails unanswered, a phone message left with a person at the end of the line and still the contact I was in touch with didn't call with an update. Eventually we were told our date only had two people sign up so they were cancelling. I think had to book a call to discuss a refund of deposit. Was told it was a process and not once assured we would get our deposit back - despite the fact that GVI CANCELLED OUR DATE! Absolutely horrific experience - am sure if you are one of the lucky ones it will be great - but I think they really need to take a long hard look at how they handle customer care, response times and refund process. Terrible.

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GVI in Tenerife. From start to finish, everything was so well organised, and the team were genuinely passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive.

Working with pilot whales in such a unique environment was unforgettable — every day felt meaningful, and you really feel like you’re contributing to something important. The balance between research, learning, and hands-on experience was perfect.
The staff created such a positive and welcoming atmosphere, and I met some amazing people along the way. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave.
I couldn’t recommend GVI Tenerife highly enough — truly a life-changing trip

The whole experience was very insightful to me, showing you the realities of over tourism in a place that is just seen as a normal holiday destination for my friends and family.
The work wasn't too challenging for a total beginner like myself, with room to have more responsibilities the more you learnt and the longer you were there. The main bulk of tasks were done outside which was lovely because of the beautiful scenery, but also felt good to be more hands on out in the open.
The living situation aided everyone in becoming mindful in how much water/ energy they were using, things I have since taken home with me to put into practice here.
The staff were very passionate in their roles and there was a good balance of authority and friendliness.
I just wish I could have stayed longer to learn and contribute more

Working with GVI has been an incredible experience and I have loved having the flexibility to plan my research internship and work as an ambassador around my studies at university. I am excited to begin a 3 month internship with GVI this summer and would highly recommend GVI to anyone interested in research led and community conservation.

I don’t even know where to begin with how much this experience has meant to me. My trip with GVI has genuinely changed my life in ways I never expected.

Going into this, I was nervous. As someone with autism, stepping into a completely new environment, surrounded by new people and unfamiliar routines, can feel overwhelming. I also struggle with my mental health, which can make big changes even harder. But from the very first moment, the team made me feel safe, understood, and completely accepted for who I am.

The staff were nothing short of incredible. They didn’t just support me—they truly saw me. They were patient, kind, and always willing to listen, creating an environment where I felt comfortable being myself without fear of judgment. That kind of inclusivity is rare, and it meant everything to me.

The local community made just as big of an impact. Their warmth, kindness, and genuine friendliness made me feel so welcome. Even though we came from different backgrounds and cultures, there was such a strong sense of connection and mutual respect. It reminded me how powerful human kindness can be, no matter where you are in the world.

Over the course of the trip, something shifted in me. I found confidence I didn’t know I had. I learned to push myself gently beyond my comfort zone, and I realized that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. My outlook on life has completely changed—I feel more open, more hopeful, and more excited about the future.

This experience didn’t just give me memories—it gave me growth, perspective, and a new sense of belief in myself.

I will always be grateful for this journey, for the people I met, and for the version of myself I discovered along the way. 💙

To start, I absolutely loved my experience with GVI! I spend 12 weeks in Tenerife as an intern and I couldn't have wished for a better group of people to be with :)

The whole booking process was a bit confusing, however there were a lot of people I could reach out to with any question. The whole enrolment proces took quite some time, but that did ensure that everything was clear and well organized for my departure and arrival.

The arrival was very well organized. Me and a few other participants got picked up at the airport by someone from the team, which was very nice and took away a large part of the stress you already have when going to a completely unfamiliar place. And after we arrived at the base, everything went very smooth, I was well received and shown around, which made me feel welcome right away.

Subsequently, I had the best 12 weeks of my life, under good guidance and support that was available 24/7.

Beautiful destination! Lovely experience with great individuals. The experience has deepened my passion and love of marine life! Would recommend to anyone!

Really enjoyed my time in Fiji, met lots of friends there. Highly recommend!

I made incredible friend from all over the world who come visit me in Australia. I learnt the language and culture of Madagascar, spent my time in the ocean and learnt to breath and move slowly. A truly incredible experience.

What keeps me coming back to GVI isn’t just the destinations, it’s the lasting impact each experience has had on me.

Over the years, I’ve taken part in three programmes in South Africa, Seychelles, and Madagascar, and each one has offered something completely different while reinforcing why I started this journey in the first place. With a strong interest in wildlife, conservation, and sustainable development, I wanted something hands-on and meaningful, that’s exactly what I found.

Since my last programme, I’ve stayed connected with GVI in a new way by becoming an ambassador. I’ve had the opportunity to attend events and speak to prospective participants, sharing my experiences and helping others understand what these programmes are really like. Being able to support others at the start of their journey has been just as rewarding as the programmes themselves.

What stands out to me most is how immersive and purposeful each experience is. From contributing to conservation work to engaging with local communities, everything is rooted in making a genuine, ethical impact. You’re not just observing, you’re actively involved and learning every step of the way.

Another big part of what makes GVI special is the people. Being surrounded by passionate staff and volunteers who all share a similar mindset creates an environment that’s both inspiring and motivating.

I’m already looking forward to my next step, I will be heading back to South Africa this October for a two-week wildlife internship. It feels like a natural continuation of a journey that keeps evolving every time I take part.

If you’re looking for something that challenges you, teaches you, and allows you to contribute to something bigger, I’d definitely recommend GVI. It’s been a hugely meaningful part of my life, and one I’m excited to continue.

I’m still waiting for my in-person GVI professional apprenticeship to start, but the process has been very easy with my apprenticeship managers helping me out with my questions. So has their contact at the South African Mission. The only thing is that whenever there’s an ambassador event where I live, they cancel it. I can’t make connections online like I do in person, but I had the opportunity to speak at a virtual event.

I had a wonderful time, I not only got more experience with wildlife conservation but I got to learn more about the culture where I was and made great friends in the program.

Once in a lifetime opportunity! I travelled for turtle conservation and met great people. Had an amazing team leader and group at turtle base. Advertising and website need to be more clear between kekoldi and turtles

Very proud to give out information and work with colleagues from GVI who are so passionate about their careers .
Thank you

It took me almost a year to write this review because I have mixed feelings and didn’t want to write anything while my emotions were still fresh.

I value my experience overall in Tenerife because of the people I met, the places I saw, and the training I received in marine conservation. I feel like I have a better understanding of some of the prevalent issues in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve. The other volunteers and interns were kind and amazing, and I was lucky to meet some extra staff who were there at the time to chaperone a group trip. Both Pierre and Loz were funny and did their best to make me feel welcome, and after I got sick there, they were kind enough to check in on me. I think GVI is an amazing program to help build credentials if you want to work in conservation or environmental science. I wouldn’t trade this part of my experience.

Now, the downsides: I felt unwelcome by the base leader, and I still don’t know what I did to warrant that. It got to the point where I felt so uncomfortable that I would hide in my room downstairs to avoid her. She often spoke to me in a way that felt unkind and unprofessional, and there were times I would go to the bathroom and cry after interactions with her. Toward the end of my stay, I avoided her as much as possible because of how frequently she would snap at me. While there were occasional moments where she was nice, most of my experience with her felt tense and uncomfortable.

Because of this, my experience is very mixed. While I’m grateful for certain aspects, I also don’t want to sugarcoat the challenges I faced. After a year, I don’t hold any hard feelings anymore, but I do think it’s important to share an honest account for future participants.

My time spent with GVI was amazing the experience that I've gained and learned is immeasurable.