Expeditions

Joining a Global Vision International marine expedition will take you to the crystal waters of some of the most spectacular dive spots on the planet, to work with a variety of magnificent marine life.

Depending on the season and location that you are in, you could find yourself monitoring leatherback turtles, whale sharks, shorebirds or crocodiles, before watching the sunset as you sit on the golden sands of a palm-fringed beach. You will receive all the training you need to dive safely, monitor marine life and collect data that contributes towards vital conservation work. As well as helping to protect the conservation of these pristine areas, GVI marine expeditions also take you to work with local communities and fully immerse yourself in the culture of a new country. On a GVI marine expedition, you will be able to make lifelong friends and dive buddies with your fellow expedition members, whilst you improve your diving skills immeasurably.

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Global Vision International runs expeditions in the lush emerald rainforests of Ecuador and Costa Rica.

These biodiversity hotspots are teeming with a variety of incredible flora and fauna, making them incredible destinations in which to get off the beaten track and canoeing down jungle waterways. Expedition members will travel into the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador or the lowland rainforest of Costa Rica to learn about rainforest ecology and research techniques, and help with research that contributes towards preserving the rainforests. You will become a fully-fledged researcher who is able to find new species, collect scientific data, and help with the conservation of endangered animals. You will also get to know the rainforest’s communities as you trek through the precious natural resource that is their home, and spend nights in the jungle in a hammock, falling to sleep to the sound of cicadas.

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GVI’s African expeditions take expedition members to spend time in a variety of biodiversity hotspots to learn about African wildlife and contribute to their conservation.

By joining a GVI African expedition, you will receive in-depth training in research techniques, and learn the practical skills to track and monitor terrestrial and marine mammals. This training will take you closer to the African animals than you could ever imagine, to study the behavior of primates in the jungle, a pod of dolphins in the crystal waters of the Kenyan coast, or lions and cheetah on the continent’s dusty plains. Expedition members may also assist education programs that teach local communities the value of their African wildlife and about sustainable conservation. You also get opportunities to explore a variety of areas of outstanding natural beauty as you visit magnificent national parks and meet a fantastic array of wildlife.

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By joining a GVI expedition with community development involvement, you have the chance to work alongside local populations in a variety of new and established sustainable development initiatives. The work depends on the location of your expedition and the current needs of the local communities the program supports.

GVI's community developments expeditions take participants to live in a beautiful part of the world, where you may find yourself teaching English in formal or informal settings; assisting with workshops to focus groups on topics such as conservation, recycling or waste management; working alongside community members on projects such as mangrove replanting or non-native species eradication; helping sustainable tourism initiatives and much more. If required for teaching and depending on your expedition you may receive an orientation to TEFL or a full 100-hour qualification, which will be a valuable tool to help maximize your involvement for the benefit of the community. You can forge strong friendships make a valuable contribution to new and established sustainable development initiatives, and fully immerse yourself in the culture of the local area. Expedition members also get the chance to learn the local language and how to cook regional cuisine, go on exciting trips to famous ruins, natural wonders and spectacular sights.

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Whatever GVI expedition you join, it is bound to contain an element of adventure.

Whether you find yourself traversing the ice sheets of Patagonia’s mountains, swimming in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, gazing at magnificent wildlife in a biodiversity hotspot, or sleeping out under the African stars to the sound of the laughing hyenas; your GVI expedition will fill you with stories to tell when you return. Yet by joining a GVI expedition, expedition members also receive valuable training and take part in vital research that contributes towards the success of new and established initiatives. Therefore expedition members often find themselves taking part in activities that they would not consider if they were just visiting a new country as a tourist. Indeed, as an expedition member, you may also find yourself tracking lions and elephants through the African bush, scuba diving in turquoise Mexican waters, canoeing down Costa Rican waterways, trekking through dense Amazonian rainforest or climbing to the top of a variety of snow-capped volcanoes.

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GVI runs unique expeditions in a variety of locations around the world, which take volunteers to see and work with some remarkable wildlife.

On these programs, wildlife and conservation is the key aim and focus, making them ideal for anyone who wants to volunteer in a new country whilst contributing towards the protection of some extraordinary creatures. GVI works with many different species of animals – many which are threatened and face an unsure future without any conservation efforts. By volunteering on a GVI wildlife expedition, you could find yourself: witnessing a leatherback turtle laying eggs on a Caribbean beach, swimming amongst whale sharks in the Pacific Ocean, observing the behavior of impressive lions in a South African reserve or collecting data on dolphins, whales, glass frogs, fruit bats, condors, wild cats, parrot fish or a variety of other species! Yet a GVI wildlife expedition not only gives you fantastic sightings of the animals found in the field (and often around base), as volunteers also receive valuable training and – by working for local partners and with the aim to understand the precious species, their habitats and behavior – also supporting future wildlife conservation.

See all of GVI's Wildlife Expeditions