Wildlife & Terrestrial Conservation

AFRICA ASIA AUSTRALASIA EUROPE LATIN AMERICA

Volunteer work abroad since 1997

I’ve always believed that individuals can be a force for good, that adventure can help you grow, and that you don’t need a suit and a tie to change the world.

My sense of adventure drove me from one continent to the next, and at the age of 22, I was the proud owner of a run-down hostel on a remote beach in Malawi. It was living here, getting to know the community and experiencing the challenges they faced, both socially, and in the face of a declining ecosystem they relied on, that led me to test my theory – to give regular people like you or me the chance to do something, and to be enriched by their experience.

Two things instantly became clear; we had to work on the ground, taking our lead from local people and expert organisations, and we had to commit to seeing our projects through to the end.

I’m glad to say that I now believe even more that each of us can make a difference, and more importantly, I’ve seen that people genuinely want to. We’ve been helping like-minded individuals make a difference to our planet for over 15 years and when you consider the sum of the differences that each of our volunteers have made since 1997, it’s quite mind-blowing – and we’ve got no plans to stop here.

Richard Walton,Founder of GVI

We reflect onto the world, that which we feel

Share this brochure

“GVI presence at Jalova generates a positive effect in many ways. With GVI’s help, its easier to achieve Tortuguero National Park’s goals.”

~ Ministry of Environment, Costa Rica

We all know that biodiversity is vital in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, but did you know that currently 1 in 8 birds, 1 in 4 mammals, and 1 in 3 amphibians face a very real threat of extinction? Uncool, but true.

If you want to do something about that, spend time in some of the world’s most breath-taking locations and gain valuable conservation experience, you’ve come to the right place!

You’ll also be able to embark on side trips of unfathomable awesomeness (yes, that awesome) to experience all that region has to offer - diving in pristine blue oceans, visiting ancient temples or even Big Five safaris on horseback!

WILDLIFE

Expeditions: Do Things Tourists Can’t Looking to shake off those city shackles at let loose? Join one of our unrivalled Expeditions. Work with a team of international volunteers on a broad range of critical conservation issues and push your limits with some epic adventuring in between.

Why Join a Conservation Volunteer Project with GVI

Internships: Get Out and Get AheadDon’t let a lack of experience keep you out of that dream career. Forget stuffing envelopes, join one of our amazing Internships! You’ll be mentored by a GVI super-staff member, an exclusive chance to gain certified experience from some of the best research and conservation agencies out there!

At the core of everything we do at GVI, is our unique culture.

It’s difficult to sum up, but basically, we’re passionate. Instead of setting out company principles for our staff to embrace and our projects to live up to, we discovered that what we do, is what it is, because we are who we are. Um, what? The simple fact is that you can’t go wrong when you have great people - and we have over 200 great people across the world. Whether in the offices or on the ground, they’re passionate about the projects, and about your experience. Most of them started out as volunteers themselves, so they believe in the projects and they’re dedicated to ensuring that you have the same amazing experience they did.

Our Culture We do...Work in partnership with local organisations on the ground, providing aid when and where it’s needed – so you can be sure projects are legitimate Support you every step of the way – from pre-departure support to an Alumni Program, your experience is our number one priority

Have an impeccable track record – over 95% of our 20 000 volunteers would travel with us again

Take health and safety more seriously – we run comprehensive risk assessments for every location and are prepared for any eventuality

Support local skills development – we run National Scholarship Programmes for host nationals with promising futures, but not the means to get there without assistance

Care about our planet – our impact speaks for itself

Keep you in touch – our unique GVI Live platform provides real-time updates from the ground, puts you in touch with staff and fellow volunteers before you depart, and allows your friends and family to keep up with you on your trip

Work with some of the most respected organisations in the world – we’re partnered with the South African National Parks Authority and the Jane Goodall Institute amongst others

Keep the benefits with our projects and partners - 70% of our funds go directly into our projects and the remaining 30% covers our operations and supports our projects indirectly through the GVI Charitable Trust

We don’t...Cut corners with our ethics or responsibilities

Run static projects – they constantly evolve according to the needs on the ground, allowing us to meet the needs of our partners at any given time

Sell cheap trips – cheap trips undermine your experience, your safety, and the project’s impact

Abandon you in an unfamiliar place – our field staff are always there for you

Abandon our projects - we strategically invest in projects which may recruit fewer volunteers to ensure their continuity

Run meaningless projects – everything our volunteers do matters

Limit your stay – you can choose to extend your trip at any stageWHY CHOOSE GVI

GREECE

SEYCHELLES

SOUTH AFRICA

INDIA

NEPAL

THAILAND

LAOS

FIJI

AUSTRALIA

MEXICO

A GVI Guide to where we are

in the world!

COSTA RICA

Learning to speak Spanish!

@gvi_mexico

Darting lions for relocation in Kruger National Park!

@GVIBushwise

Monitoring Colobus monkeys in Kenya’s coastal forests!

@GVIShimoni

Helping to restore the habitat of giant tortoises in Curieuse Island National Park!

@GVISeychelles

We operate over 120 programs in 13

countries aroundthe world!

Getting up close and personal with the Big Five in Limpopo!

@GVILimpopoKZN

Reintroducing elephants into their natural forest habitat!

@GVIPhangNga

Join this conservation project working to monitor and maintain a viable breeding pride to help maintain wild lion populations deep in the iconic South African bushveld. Come face-to-face with these incredible predators and learn valuable skills such as wildlife tracking as you explore one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Volunteer With Lions in South Africa

Travel, and set your dreams freeSOME TOP TRIPS

Join traditional elephant-keeping communities deep in the jungles of Chiang Mai and contribute to the conservation of the Asian elephant by reintroducing captive individuals into protected forests. Spend 6 weeks in training before moving onto your exciting work placement where you will work on community education, plant biodiversity (with an emphasis on researching elephant foraging) and working with the elephants and Mahouts.

Conservation internship with elephants in Thailand

On Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast you can join a team of international volunteers as an expedition member. Based in the Tortugero National park of Costa Rica, your hands on work will contribute to the long-term management and conservation of this stunning rainforest and the elusive, endangered jaguar which depend on it.

Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica

Travel to Curieuse Island and join a leading marine and terrestrial data collection organisation in the Seychelles. Take part in critical research and conservation within a national park, contributing towards the long-term survival of endangered species and live amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Island Conservation Expedition in the Seychelles

Trips from ₤920!

MORE TOP TRIPS

Discover the rainforests of Costa Rica and assist in the protection of the elusive and endangered jaguar. Conduct surveys and set up remote cameras, gathering data for use in a long-term wildlife conservation effort along Central America’s Caribbean coast. Develop an in-depth understanding of the rainforest and its ecosystem on this unique tropical adventure.

Jaguar Conservation in Costa Rica

Travel to a private Big Five game reserve in South Africa and volunteer alongside an international team assisting in vital conservation work. Learn to track animals through the bushveld, study their behaviour and get acquainted with charismatic game species such as lion, leopard, elephant and rhino. Explore the breath-taking unspoilt region in your spare time.

Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa

Look beyond what’s right in front of you

LOCATIONSWildlife and Terrestrial Conservation projects are available in the following locations:

South Africa, Costa Rica, Seychelles, Thailand, Australia and Fiji

OUR IMPACT

What we do at GVI is pretty amazing, and it makes long term, sustainable contributions towards local and global issues as described by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The GVI Difference

Initiated 12 sustainable livelihood programs

Environmental Sustainability

Over 100,000 trees planted

Recorded over 2000 species of fauna, including over 160 ITC listed endangered species

Wildlife Research

Contributed to over 40 scientific papers, articles and TV programs

Supported the management and conservation of 44 reserves - over 3 million hectares of protected areas

Wildlife Conservation

Conducted over 600 conservation initiatives

Supplied over 40,000 people with environmental education

Environmental Awareness

YOU CAN ALSO

Discover idyllic beaches and ornate temples from your base in Thailand’s rural Karen community. Join the elephant conservation project in conjunction with local community members and mahouts (elephant handlers) to give mistreated elephants a chance at a new future and help communities take advantage of a variety of valuable opportunities by teaching English.

Wildlife and Community Expedition in Thailand

Discover two breath-taking locations when you travel to South Africa and the Seychelles to contribute to vital terrestrial and marine conservation initiatives. Learn to track animals, study their behaviour, conduct mangrove surveys and more while living amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

African Wildlife and Marine Conservation Expedition

Travel to the iconic bushveld of South Africa and gain invaluable wildlife conservation experience when you intern on a private Big Five game reserve. Learn about habitat restoration, contribute on community outreach programmes, track wild animals, study their behaviour and get an unfiltered look into the lives of some of Africa’s most charismatic wildlife species.

South Africa Wildlife Conservation Internship

Trips from ₤920!

YOU CAN ALSO

Marine ecosystems are vitally important for the overall health of both our marine and terrestrial environments, as well as livelihoods. Our Marine Conservation projects focus on restoring damaged ecosystems and protecting endangered species.

Marine ConservationDive in.

Help provide disadvantaged and at-risk children with safe environments with support, supervision, socialisation and education. Improve their life skills and education through sports, teaching, child care, art, healthcare and education projects.

Volunteer with Children Share your knowledge.

Infrastructure is key to the health and well-being of local communities. Our construction projects focus on addressing basic human needs and providing for those most at risk, each building a sustainable contribution for the communities that we work in.

ConstructionLay foundations for the future.

“My highlights? Taking part in wildlife conservation and the feeling that your work had a part to play in the aim of the expedition. The close experiences with the amazing wildlife were incredible.

The program was everything I imagined it to be and more, meeting new people from all over the world is another incredibly influential factor in choosing another GVI expedition, just an amazing, life changing, all round experience.”

~ Craig Daly

TESTIMONIALS

“My internship has undoubtedly made me more employable as it has provided me with many essential skills for whatever future career I may pursue. There is plenty to experience here regardless of whether you plan to work in the conservation field as GVI are eager to help you make your internship your own in order that everyone gets the most out of it.”

~ Pheebe Martin

Our award-winning projects receive over 2 000 participants every year!

And we’re proud to say that the vast majority of them describe their experience with us as ‘life changing’. Our approval rate from over 20 000 participants since 1997 is over 95%.

We’re a family-run organisation with an amazing culture and an awesome team of people across the world who are passionate experts in their chosen field and will make your experience a truly unforgettable one (in a good way).

“I have had the most amazing time living in Mkwiro, and would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in conservation, environmental research or simply making a difference in other people’s lives – you won’t be disappointed”

~ Catherine Collop, Kenya

ABOUT GVI

UK:01727 250250www.gvi.co.uk

US:1 888 653 6028www.gviusa.com

Canada:1 888 653 6028www.gvicanada.ca

Australia:1300 795 013www.gviaustralia.com.au

Ireland:1 850 885 880www.gvi.ie

France:09 75 18 16 96www.gvi.fr

Hong Kong:8199 0565www.gvihongkong.hk

New Zealand:0988 90 217www.gvinewzealand.co.nz

South Africa:021 782 2386www.gviafrica.co.za

International:+44 1727 250250

Share this brochure