Why Choose GVI?

Since 1997, we have built over 150 volunteer programs around the world. We have developed these programs with an aim to make them beneficial to both our volunteers and for the people and local communities in which they are working. In order to truly serve the needs of local communities, programs must be long term. That’s why we work so hard to make programs that are actually sustainable.

Here are some other reasons why we’re just better…

They’re our programs… Because we own and operate almost all our own programs, you can know that they make a real and lasting positive difference. You can also always expect the same high level of safety, support, training and service from each of our programs.

We take health and safety more seriously… Feel free to stack any other organization’s health and safety protocols and procedures against ours. We’re confident ours are more comprehensive.

We are recognized as the best in volunteering… Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards declared GVI as the world’s best organization to volunteer with for 2011. According to the award committee: "GVI impressed the judges with the scale of their impacts on the ground. Placing 3,500 volunteers annually in 60 countries, GVI teaches over 10,000 people each year on six continents."

We work with some of the most respected organizations in the world… We work alongside some of the most leading and prominent conservation and community development organizations in the world; The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Rainforest Concern, The Jane Goodall Institute, The Costa Rican Ministry for the Environment, 350.org, South African National Parks, Kenyan Wildlife Service, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and many more.

We’ve got a proven track record… Since 1997 we have brought over 10,000 volunteers to work on our programs around the world. We have an over 95% approval rating from these participants and the vast majority described their experience as life changing.