If your GVI programme has been cancelled, you may be feeling unsure about what to do next. You may have already chosen your project, paid towards your trip, booked flights, arranged time off work or planned your volunteer experience around school, university or gap year travel.
We’re sorry your plans have been disrupted.
African Impact offers supported volunteer and internship programmes across Africa, and we may be able to help you explore a suitable alternative. Whether you were due to travel soon or were planning a trip later this year, our team can talk you through available projects, similar destinations, flexible start dates and practical next steps.
Please note:
African Impact is not connected to GVI and cannot advise on refunds, claims or the liquidation process. If you were affected by the GVI closure, you should follow official communication from GVI or the appointed liquidators regarding any payments, claims or outstanding bookings.
Looking for an alternative volunteer programme in Africa?
If you still want to volunteer abroad, there may be options available depending on your destination, travel dates, project interests and how soon you were planning to depart.
African Impact specialises in volunteer and internship experiences across Africa, with projects focused on wildlife conservation, marine conservation, teaching, community development, medical support, public health, research, photography and career-focused field experience.
Our team can help you explore whether there is an African Impact programme that closely matches what you had originally planned with GVI.
How African Impact may be able to help
If your original volunteer trip has been cancelled, you may not know where to start. You might be trying to find a similar project, avoid losing flights, keep your travel dates, or choose a provider you can feel confident booking with.
We can help you:
- Find a similar volunteer or internship programme in Africa
- Check availability for your intended travel dates
- Explore flexible start dates and durations
- Look at destinations that may work with your existing flights
- Understand what is included in your programme fee
- Speak directly with a team member before making a decision
- Compare project options based on your goals and interests
While we cannot guarantee an exact replacement for your original GVI programme, we can help you understand the closest available African Impact options and what would be realistic for your travel plans.
Already booked flights?
If you already have flights booked, please let us know your arrival destination, travel dates and original GVI programme.
Depending on where you were planning to travel, we may be able to suggest an African Impact project that works with your existing route or requires a manageable change to your plans. Our team can advise on destination options, start dates and project suitability before you make any new commitments.
This is especially important if you were due to travel soon. The more information you can share with us, the easier it will be for our team to recommend the most suitable alternatives.
Volunteer alternatives by project type:
Whether you were planning to join a conservation, community, teaching, medical or internship programme, African Impact offers a range of Africa-based projects that may suit your goals.
Wildlife Conservation
African Impact’s wildlife conservation programmes are ideal for volunteers interested in field-based research, wildlife monitoring, reserve support and practical conservation experience. These programmes may be suitable if you were originally looking for a hands-on conservation placement in Africa.
Depending on the project, volunteers may assist with wildlife tracking, species identification, data collection, camera trap work, conservation management activities and ecosystem restoration.
Big 5, Big Cat and Elephant Research
For those interested in iconic African wildlife, our Greater Kruger programmes offer opportunities to contribute to wildlife research and conservation monitoring in one of South Africa’s most important wildlife regions.
These programmes are particularly relevant for volunteers interested in Big 5 conservation, big cat research, elephant monitoring, fieldwork and reserve-based conservation experience.
Marine and Dolphin Conservation
If you were originally looking for a marine conservation experience, African Impact offers marine-focused opportunities in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
These programmes are connected to coastal conservation, dolphin monitoring, marine awareness and community engagement. They are well suited to volunteers interested in marine ecosystems, ocean conservation and responsible wildlife tourism.
Teaching and Community Development
African Impact’s teaching and community development projects are designed for volunteers who want to support education, youth development and local community initiatives.
These programmes may be a suitable alternative if you were originally planning to volunteer in schools, childcare, community support or educational development. Volunteers work alongside local teams and partners, supporting structured project goals in the communities where we operate.
Medical and Public Health
For pre-med, medical, nursing, public health or healthcare-focused volunteers, African Impact offers programmes that provide exposure to healthcare environments and community health initiatives.
These experiences are especially relevant for students or qualified individuals looking to gain insight into healthcare systems, public health challenges and community-based medical support in Africa.
Internships and Career-Focused Programmes
If you were looking for a more structured or career-focused experience, African Impact also offers internship-style programmes in areas such as conservation research, wildlife photography and field-based project support.
These programmes are designed for participants who want deeper practical experience, skill development and exposure to real-world work in conservation or community-based settings.
Africa-based alternatives to GVI
African Impact works across several destinations in Africa, offering project options that may suit volunteers affected by the GVI closure.
Greater Kruger, South Africa
Our Greater Kruger programmes are focused on wildlife conservation, research and reserve-based fieldwork. Options may include Big 5 wildlife research, big cat and elephant research, conservation internships and wildlife photography experiences.
This destination is ideal for volunteers interested in South African wildlife, safari environments and hands-on conservation work.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar offers a mix of marine conservation, dolphin monitoring, teaching and community-focused opportunities. This destination may suit volunteers looking for a tropical island setting, coastal conservation work or community engagement in East Africa.
Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone is home to African Impact programmes focused on medical support, teaching and community development. Located close to Victoria Falls, this destination may be suitable for volunteers interested in healthcare exposure, education or meaningful community-based work.
To help us recommend the most suitable options, please share:
The GVI programme you were booked on
The country or destination you were travelling to
Your original travel dates
Whether you have already booked flights
The type of project you wanted to join
Your preferred duration
Whether you are travelling alone, as a teen or parent, or as part of a group
How soon you would like to travel
Once we have this information, we can help you explore available African Impact projects and advise on what may be possible.
