GVI Avis 

My experience with GVI was truly incredible and something I’ll never forget. From the beginning, the booking process was straightforward and easy, which made everything much less stressful.

What I was most excited about was getting hands-on experience and being able to contribute to something meaningful—and it definitely lived up to that. Working in the field and being surrounded by passionate people made the whole trip even more special.

Maria Ingreso helped me the most throughout my journey. She was always supportive, approachable, and made sure everything ran smoothly, which really made a difference in my overall experience.

I would highly recommend GVI to anyone looking for a meaningful and well-organized experience. It’s not just a trip—it’s something that stays with you long after you leave.

I had a really amazing experience with GVI. I was lucky enough to go on 4 trips with them. The trips I went on were: Under 16’s 2 week trip to Greece (turtle conservation), Under 16’s 2 week trip to Mexico (Open water class), over 18’s divemaster internship in the Seychelles and over 18’s diver master internship in Mexico (there’s a water theme here 😜)

I loved all of the trips I went on and got to learn a lot about myself and of course the beautiful world we get to live in. GVI make it a mission to involve themselves with the communities in which they reside in. This is something that is really important to me as well.

I was also with them for the very beginnings of Covid and they did an excellent job at getting us home in time before a full blown shut down.

I recommend any and all of these trips to those who might be considering them as an option. Thanks again GVI for the amazing experience!

Ive had a wonderful experience with GVI over the years. Ive found the organisation to be ethical and educational, it’s helped me grow as a person. It’s a company I know I can trust and will deliver on their values. I have always had great communication with them and have developed many great relationships from my experiences with them. I recommend GVI to many friends and family who want to do some good whilst gaining valuable experience in beautiful places!

Absolutely loved my time on Karongwe Game Reserve!

Saw a lot of animals, including numerous sightings of lions, elephants, and buffalo!

The highlights of the trip included:

1) spotting a leopard in the wild.

2) a close encounter with a spotted hyena.

3) a close encounter with elephants.

4) four separate lion sightings.

5) the chance to part-take in a cheetah walk-in!

6) community day at a local school teaching the children geology.

Would highly recommend!

WARNING – Please read before considering GVI internships.

I need to share what happened to me because I don’t want anyone else going through this.

After paying a deposit, I had NOT confirmed any dates, duration, or final agreement for going to Thailand. Despite that, £924 was suddenly taken from my account without my clear permission. I never authorised that full payment.

When I contacted them, I was initially reassured that I could get my money back. That turned out to be completely false. They refused to refund me, despite me never attending the internship at all.

In total, they have taken £1019 from me, including the deposit. I never went on the program, never finalised anything, and still lost over a thousand pounds.

This has been ongoing since 24/09/2024, and I STILL have not received my money back.

Please be extremely careful. Do not trust verbal promises, do not assume your money is safe, and do not proceed unless everything is 100% confirmed in writing. Learn from my experience—once the money is gone, getting it back may be impossible.

Protect yourself and think twice before using them.

Update- they have responded to this and said this is in accordance with their terms and conditions but again just to confirm I never agreed to any dates and the timescales for how long I will be going for just proves how much of a scam company they are i will be taking this to the smalls claims court.

Amazing sea turtle conservation experience in the Maldives. Learned so much, met incredible people, and felt genuinely part of meaningful marine protection.

Update: Since GVI replied to this post advising my refund has been processed, I can confirm I did not get any refund and have had no response from the company.

GVI is nothing short of a scam. They are so unethical in that they charge a lot of money for an experience, and when they cannot give you what you paid for, they refuse to give any refund or credit. I paid for a research fellowship which is heavily project focused. In week 7 of my 8 week programme I still hadn’t managed to get the one research coordinator to meet with me to start my project - there were 15 other participants in the same boat. We spent most of the time sitting around the base. I complained and argued with GVI, but months later I still never got to do a project. I could have volunteered for half the price.
It is very unclear where the money goes as the standard of accommodation is so poor (broken doors, nails sticking out, broken chairs, bug-infested broken showers) and most staff are unpaid. I cannot recommend them to anyone.

My time on base was wonderful! I had a great time diving and researching dolphins. The staff was incredibly nice and facilitated a community where everyone felt comfortable and could be themselves. I absolutely loved my experience in Fiji.

I did the Under 18’s course in Tenerife for 2 weeks volunteering with whales and dolphins, it was very out of my comfort level but i knew with this being my passion i had to fulfill, pushing myself to do this was the best decision i ever made and gvi made that happen. All of the staff were amazing and made me feel so comfortable. I learnt so much about things i thought i already everything about. It has pushed me even more to persue my dream of working with these amazing animals. I’m thinking of doing an internship in Fiji next year, and absolutely cannot wait. I loved every single thing about my experience and wouldn’t have chanted anything for the world, not forgetting making friends for life who i still speak to today, after 2 years 🥰 Not only did we learn about Sea animals i learnt about the culture of Tenerife which has again opened my eyes on how fascinating every country is and to always stay respectful.

Such a unique experience, meeting amazing people and being immersed in a different culture. Fairly basic amenities but everything you need really!

I spent 6 weeks in Tenerife at GVI's base three years ago on the Marine Biology Internship, and it was six of the best weeks of my life. Being with an organisation doing conservation, you get a more detailed experience of the environment and learn things the public will never hear, and get a totally different overall experience. Living minutes from the coast meant accessing the sea was easy, and you also get free time to explore the area, eat out, and visit different parts of the island with new-found friends. Food, accommodation and transport is all provided, and we even got a trip up Mount Teide on the island as part of the internship, 3700 metres above sea level!

I have a disability, and GVI were incredibly supportive in finding the best base for me. When they say that they're open to everyone, GVI really is - I've had problems going to places before but this was never an issue here!

This was an amazing experience and I'd recommend it to everyone, everywhere. I've not had the time yet, but next year I plan to do one of GVI's other internships - hopefully in Greece or Thailand!

Amazing participants and staff members

From the beginning gvi has been so helpful! I had no stressors on communication to what we needed to bring to Huay Pakkoot. Since I stepped off the bus from Chiang Mai I always felt like I was welcomed by the community. Even meeting staff at the hotel in Chiang Mai I felt very comfortable and welcomed. Being a new person in any environment is nerve racking but there I felt like I’ve always been apart of the community. There is so much love, support and respect for each other and the environment. From learning about the relationship between elephant and mahout, the biodiversity and for them just the everyday spider was so special. Being able to learn and hear from and about the people in Huay Pakkoot and their relationships with the earth and their elephants was something I will forever cherish and honor. No matter how long you choose to stay I don’t think it will ever be enough.

Ola, I spent 6 months diving at GVI Mexico meeting some amazing people and it’s honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had while travelling. I dived in some of the best cenotes with Alan and Ursula at scuba kraken (who are amazing) . And learned so much about the reef and all the marine life. Big up Miguel, overall 10/10 trip

Since I was 18, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing GVI both as a participant and as a staff member in two very different parts of the world: Costa Rica and Fiji and now soon to be Thailand as I head to work there in a few weeks!

As a participant, I was supported every step of the way. Moving abroad at 18 alone is daunting, but GVI created an environment that felt safe, welcoming, and genuinely community-focused. In Costa Rica, I was immersed in conservation work that pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me independence, resilience, and cultural awareness. It wasn’t just about the project itself, it was about the people, the mentorship, and the way GVI ensures you’re never just another volunteer, but a valued member of the team. There was no divide for me I didn’t feel just like a volunteer I felt like I had been welcomed into the GVI family and I am so incredibly greatful for the opportunity GVI has provided for me.

Returning later as staff member in Fiji gave me a completely new perspective. I was able to see the level of care, planning, and ethical consideration that happens behind the scenes. Supporting new participants as they navigated their own challenges reminded me of how much I had grown since my first placement. Fiji showed me the depth of GVI’s long-term commitment to local partnerships and sustainable impact. It is not surface level volunteering, it is thoughtful, community led work.

Seeing GVI from both sides, as a nervous 18 year old participant and later as a confident staff member, has been incredibly special. The growth, friendships, professional development, and cultural understanding I’ve gained are things I’ll carry with me for life.

I can honestly say GVI isn’t just a company I’ve worked with, it has been a huge part of my personal and professional journey.

A choice you will never regret. My GVI experience was one of the best decisions I’ve taken and I wouldn’t be where I am without it. The experiences, skills and friends I made there have all been life changing, and it’s a period of my life I look back on with gratitude.

Student beware!
My daughter was pressured over the phone to pay a deposit for a internship to Peru in 2027 . In ordered to secure a grant from her university to help with the cost , she was told to act quickly she was not given any dates or details of the trip.
Once she paid the deposit and her direct debit was set up , she received the dates available to her , she realised she could not make these, she contacted them straight away and was told an additional 150£ was payable.
She already paid 850£ deposit and by then she lost confidence in the company and has she was well within the consumer protection act of 14 days cooling off period, she wrote to inform them she wanted to cancel everything.
She was then told her deposit was not refundable!
She had no term of conditions read out to her or no contract sign .
How does this company who advertise being ethical and transparent take so much money from someone .
I am so disappointed for her and angry of what this company is capable of.
Rest assured we will take this further

I strongly advise anyone considering GVI to be aware of the serious delays and lack of accountability when it comes to refunds.
I was promised that my refund would be processed within 180 days. It has now been 228 days since that date, and I am still waiting for my money despite sending numerous emails. What has been most frustrating is not only the delay itself, but the constant cycle of apologies, vague reassurances, and no concrete action. Each time, I was told that the finance team was “investigating,” that the matter was a “priority,” or that they were “waiting for feedback.”
This experience has been extremely disappointing and stressful. I would urge others to think carefully before committing financially, as getting your money back, if something goes wrong, may be far more difficult and delayed than promised.

Do not book a program with GVI. I booked my daughter on the Teen Marine Conservation Programme in Mexico for July 2025, when I booked it I was told multiple times that there were already enough people booked and it would definitely go ahead.

GVI then cancelled the trip just 5 weeks before the departure date, citing not enough people had signed up - GVI broke their own conditions stipulating trips will be confirmed no less than 12 weeks before. Of course when it was cancelled we had already booked flights, taken out insurance (through GVI, which doesn't include cancellation) and bought the equipment needed.

GVI stated we were eligible for a full refund, and that would be paid within 180 days - that is an appallingly long time period when they cancelled.

Despite numerous emails and calls no refund came. Eventually I submitted a claim through the credit card I paid with - GVI rejected this claim without giving any reason. I submitted a second claim which was eventually upheld, 9 months after GVI cancelled. I still have not received the refund from GVI for the insurance, which I asked to be cancelled and refunded as soon as the trip was cancelled - in my last email chasing this GVI had the audacity to tell me to submit a claim through my credit card for a refund of the insurance. I am disgusted how it has been a real battle to get any refund from them, and they cancel projects at such short notice with little concern or regard to the impact of the people booked on them. I know many others were booked on this trip and I question whether a supposed lack of numbers was the true reason they cancelled.

I booked my daughter last minute on a Projects Abroad teen marine conservation trip to Thailand instead, I was hugely impressed with them - a total contrast to GVI. Please do not give GVI any of your money, I have zero confidence in them.

Additional comment following GVI's reply:
GVI - this is appalling that you ask me to submit (another) claim request through my credit card for the refund of the insurance you owe me, this will take months. Why cannot you just refund me this insurance amount I paid, as you owe me this money and had previously confirmed it would be refunded. This shows exactly why people should not book with GVI. I expect a full refund directly from GVI for the insurance, I should not need to submit a claim for it through my credit card especially when GVI cancelled the program.

I applied for the apprenticeship in South Africa and was initially very excited. However, during my call with a manager, I did not receive clear explanations about the real impact of the conservation work.
I was also offered a “grant” but pressured to decide within 48 hours, despite the total cost still being over €10,000. For such a large financial commitment, this felt unreasonable and concerning.
Unfortunately, this experience left me questioning the transparency and intentions of the organisation. I encourage others to ask detailed questions and carefully review all terms before committing.