GVI image

GVI

Volunteer organization


Address

1 Emperor Way, Exeter EX1 3QS, United Kingdom

Website

www.gvi.co.uk

Contact

+44 1727 250250

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (235 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: (Good Friday), Open 24 hours, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: experience (11) recommend (7) incredible (7) trip (7) staff (6) beach (6) work (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Iona K. 1 year ago on Google
    If you're looking for experience in Marine conservation or research, then I would highly recommend volunteering or interning with GVI in the Canary Islands. The staff were amazing, the program was organised and packed with memories that I will treasure forever. We went out on the boat 2-3 times a week, collecting data on weather conditions, cetacean behaviour and taking photos for fin identification. On other days we carried out beach cleans, helping keep plastic & rubbish out of the oceans and promoting environmental education. We also surveyed boat traffic in land surveys, measuring the weather conditions and surveying the boats leaving the harbour. Interns are given the responsibility of making sure everything is ready for the next day and leading the different activities, developing skills in organisation and leadership. Overall, I would suggest GVI for anyone interested in making a difference in the world. I would definitely do another program with GVI in the future!

  • 4/5 Ross B. 2 years ago on Google
    The 2 weeks I spent volunteering in Oxapampa with GVI were 2 of the most enriching weeks of my life. GVI brings in volunteers and interns to support the work of a project started and run by local conservationists at CDS. This former passion fruit farm was purchased by a couple a little over a decade ago and now, thanks to their efforts, provides habitat for an incredible amount of biodiversity. In my time there we learned about the process and methods used to revive the forest, from sifting compost, to potting saplings, to planting young trees in future forests. The field guide, Duggie, knows more about the local flora and fauna than I could believe possible. He lead us on night walks where we found glass frogs, bats, and countless incredible insects. We conducted bird surveys, came across beautiful Peruvian birds, and learned how to set up camera traps and log sightings of mammals. Evelyn the program manager was incredibly organised, supportive and friendly. Together they and the CDS staff made our stay a really incredible experience.

  • 5/5 Samantha D. 2 years ago on Google
    I've been interning with GVI in Limpopo, South Africa for a little over a month now and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have always wanted to do conservation work in Africa and GVI made that dream possible. Interns work 6 days a week with Sundays off. We go on two game drives, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We all have different responsibilities on drives whether its entering data, using the telemetry or preparing snacks for mid drive. Every day you can see something different. My favorite sighting so far was when we witnessed a leopard chase down an impala. Or it might be when a herd of elephants walked right passed the cruiser. I don't really know there are just too many moments! If you intern with GVI in South Africa you will definitely experience moments like this as well. It is a lot of work here but it is rewarding. You meet new people who have the same interests and goals as you and they can turn into lifelong friends. I recommend doing an internship with GVI.

  • 5/5 Soleia c. 1 year ago on Google
    Greece was a unique experience, If you're looking for an organized, fun and helpful trip while traveling around Greece then this trip is perfect for you ! I had a chance to volunteer in Greece and help protect turtle nests. The best part about this trip was being able to relocate the eggs if we felt they were endangered. I got to hold them and carry them to a safer place, it was such a wholesome experience. For volunteer work, we also got to do beach clean ups that were both necessary and fun because we would turn them into competitions as to who would get the most trash. After each beach clean up, we would look through the garbage and reuse some things like glass bottles for flower pots and other rubbish as decoration, it was so creative ! While other people were doing other surveys (morning walks to protect the nests) other people would make bamboo turtle tunnels to protect the nests from light pollution. I would 100% recommend this trip because it was not only fun but also worth every penny, I loved getting to know all the teens that were with me that came from all over the world and we got to discuss so many things and have open minded conversations about anything. As a group, we also got to be immersed in Greek culture by visiting places like Olympia and tasting different food and beverages local to Greece. Making these friends was so fun and it felt like I had known them forever :)

  • 5/5 Holly W. 2 years ago on Google
    If you are passionate about our planet and want to make a difference by contributing first hand to conservation, then GVI is the company for you! I met so many likeminded people, fell in love all over again with the ocean and discovered a passion for diving. All of the staff are absolutely wonderful, Miguel the programme manager did an excellent job in keeping us all safe and supported, and he has an excellent team working with him.

  • 5/5 Osian H. 1 year ago on Google
    I would recommend volunteer at GVI. I volunteered at GVI Thailand Chiang Mai for two weeks and it's one of the best experiences I've ever had. The staff, the villagers and the other volunteers and interns were very nice and friendly people and you can have lots of laughs with them. The experience here would change you and you wouldn't want to leave the place while being there because everyone else makes this place feel like home to you. There's a lot of good things to do there like elephant hikes and rice picking and I've learned a lot of new stuff and skills while being there. I'll definitely come back again and I've missed so many of my new friends. I would definitely want to volunteer at other GVI programs to learn more about the animals and other new stuff. It was also good to learn about the elephants in GVI Thailand Chiang Mai.

  • 5/5 Emma W. 2 years ago on Google
    My experience with GVI has been absolutely incredible. The staff team from the very beginning were extremely helpful from the planning of the trip, to continuous support throughout my time in South Africa. The programme itself was more than I could have hoped for. I was able to assist with everything from research drives taking data on the big 5 and focus species, to surveys for birds and invertebrates, community teaching, and reserve work. The internship itself is very well organised and working towards the Biological Survey Techniques qualification over 12 weeks provides continuous new opportunities and ensures you feel like you are always learning! Every day is exciting and you never know what’s going to be behind the next bush! Highly recommend to anyone with an interest in wildlife, science and conservation 😊

  • 5/5 Alondra S. 1 year ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Genevieve P. 1 year ago on Google
    Had an incredible time with GVI Ghana; spent one month working in local partner schools with primary aged children assisting with one to ones to support literacy and maths. Work was very rewarding, kids were very engaged and you could see their progression. Felt very well looked after, food provided was a lovely mix of Ghanaian and western. Had plenty of cultural activities including African dancing, trip to Cape coast slave castle and hiking trip to the lush Volta region. Overall an incredible experience I am eager to go back!

  • 5/5 Bridget H. 1 year ago on Google
    The staff at the GVI base on Curieuse were so welcoming right from the start that we all immediately felt at home. The communal living style we quickly adopted on base meant we all made such good friends in days which completely transformed the whole experience. The days were full of hiking, completing tortoise surveys, beach profiles and mangrove monitoring, then the late afternoons and evening were spent relaxing on the beach, cooking, playing volleyball, or learning how to open coconuts. My favourite memory is of the first morning, were we hiked through the mangroves, still completely in awe of the amazing scenery around us, only to stumble across at least 20 giant tortoises going about their daily life- incredible! I had also never had the chance to go snorkelling before, so the opportunity to do so in the Indian Ocean with such a huge diversity of coral and fish was amazing. Another highlight is spending days monitoring the beaches for turtle activity, then having the afternoon to relax on the beach, go swimming, play capture the flag and end with a BBQ in the evening. I could not recommend this experience highly enough and it is something I will never forget. Bring on the next GVI adventure!


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