GIVE VolunteersReviews of givevolunteers.org

I had such an amazing experience in Costa Rica with give. This was my 3rd trip with the but Costa Rica by far took me by chance. A last minute book and a world of new people, peace, learning, growth and lots of barefoot walks in the jungle, dirt, river washes and clay masks. The experiences I shared on that farm in the jungle was truly so magical it guided me to my own path of buying land to create something beautiful myself to give back to the land, people and community. 🥹🌜💫✨ go touch some dirt!

GIVE makes ethical tourism & travel easy and accessible for anyone dedicated to making a positive impact. From the moment I arrived in Hawai’i, my GIVE guides welcomed me with open arms and wide smiles—they made traveling alone less frightening and helped me make memories I’ll never forget. Not only were the excursions to snorkel at the coral reefs, hiking through a volcano, and crawling through caves spectacular experiences—each project brought new and important lessons. Through our project partners we learned about the negative impact mainstream tourism has on Hawai’i, we learned about caring for the āina (land) through an indigenous perspective, and supported projects that directly helped the community. Yes, I spent a week in paradise, but this GIVE trip gave me so much more than pretty pictures. I can say that I am leaving a better person than when I came. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life-changing experience!

I honestly can’t recommend the Tanzania GIVE trip enough. It was one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life. What made this trip so special was that it wasn’t just about seeing Tanzania—it was about truly experiencing it. In Kilwa, we worked alongside the local community planting mangroves to help restore the coastline, and it was incredible to see the direct impact of the work. We also spent time with members of the community, cooked traditional meals together, and learned about their daily lives and culture. Those moments of genuine connection were some of the most rewarding parts of the trip. Another highlight was spending time with the Maasai. We had the opportunity to help herd sheep, reinforce the protective enclosures for their livestock, and learn firsthand about their traditions and way of life. It wasn’t something you could experience as a typical tourist, and I came away with a much greater appreciation for their culture and hospitality. The safari was another unforgettable part of the experience. Seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and so many other animals in their natural habitat was surreal. It felt like something out of a documentary and was easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced. After the volunteer portion of the trip, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was the perfect way to finish the adventure. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Standing on the summit after days of climbing is a feeling I’ll never forget. I also have to give a huge shoutout to Gabby and Baboi. They are truly the best guides you could ask for. They were knowledgeable, supportive, hilarious, and always made everyone feel included. They worked incredibly hard to make sure we had an amazing experience, and they played a huge role in making the trip so memorable. If you’re thinking about doing this trip, my advice is simple: go. Come with an open mind, be willing to step outside your comfort zone, and fully embrace every opportunity. You’ll leave with incredible memories, lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for another culture, and experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I cannot recommend GIVE Volunteers enough. After completing 6 of their 11 volunteer travel programs (WILD March 25', Zanzibar May 26', Thailand Hill Tribes June 26th, Scuba June 26', Elephants June 26', Laos July 26'), I can confidently say that these experiences have changed my life in so many ways. GIVE has given me opportunities, experiences, and memories that I truly don't think I would have found anywhere else. GIVE wants to teach people the most authentic and ethical way to travel. They don't just bring you to a destination—they teach you how to travel with respect, humility, and a genuine appreciation for the local communities and cultures you visit. You leave each trip with not only unforgettable memories but also a deeper understanding of the places and people you've been fortunate enough to meet. The local and international guides are one of the biggest reasons these trips are so incredible. Every guide I've met has been incredibly genuine, welcoming, attentive, inspiring, and so much fun to be around. They create an environment where everyone feels included, cared for, and excited to learn. Their passion for sharing their home and culture is contagious, and they bring some of the most positive energy I've ever experienced. They truly make every adventure unforgettable. From the moment you arrive until it's time to say goodbye, they make you feel supported, encouraged, and like part of a family. Thank you Kasha, BigHead + MC, Chee, I'Good + I'Maiy, Chelsey, P'Tony + P'Boka, P'Nice, and last but not least P'Dee + P'Ann + P'PonPon! Also, GIVE headquarter team! From the very beginning, they are there to answer every question, handle concerns, and handle all of the travel logistics with care and urgency. If you've never traveled alone but have always wanted to, GIVE is the perfect place to start. They create an environment where you feel comfortable, supported, and confident while showing you how to travel in the most ethical and respectful way possible. Every trip is the perfect balance of adventure, meaningful volunteer work, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

My trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i changed my life and the way that I connect with my inner humanity. Yes, I got to go on amazing adventures like snorkeling with sea turtles, climbing a volcano and seeing it actually erupt, chasing waterfalls, exploring caves and black sand beaches, and so much more. But what made it all worth it was the relationships that I created and the wisdom that I received by living and working alongside the locals. Our project hosts gave me so many life tools with the completion of every project and our guides, Traven, Jordan, and Liv, where there to help our group every step of the way. Every time I pulled an invasive species out of the Earth, I pulled invasive thoughts out of my head. Every time I removed waste from the coastlines, I removed waste within myself. And every time I learned more of the Native’s wisdom, I unlearned the American norm of making a living and relearned the human beauty in making a life. I recommend this life altering trip to anyone and everyone. I felt so safe, so guided, and so changed the entire time. Thank you to the locals of the Big Island for welcoming me as family, my new ‘ohana that I found in my fellow volunteers, and GIVE for helping to make a trip like this possible.

ASANTE SANA ZANZIBAR & TANZ MAINLAND I could not imagine a trip to this beautiful country being as fulfilling traveling without GIVE! I learned so much about culture, the land, and gained a #secondfamily while doing so! ASANTE SANA to talha for sharing her inspiring story as how she worked her way up to becoming the Ed coordinator of Zanzibar program, Amour for his amazing energy, Juma our legend driver and sweetest soul, BIG HEADDD the concrete and cement master, Kasha for being the most perfect example of a leader I have ever seen, and EVERYONE ELSE we met and worked alongside of the entire way! I’m also so grateful to have been able to hop over to mainland! It was so awesome getting to experience the new program and I’m so happy to see what the future holds for this trip. Asante Sana again to Baboi, MC, and Gabby for being apart of my entire journey in East Africa, y’all were truly THE BEST!!!! Will be catching trip #5 with GIVE soon 💚💚

Absolutely amazing! The local guides were so knowledgable and made the experience extremely unique and one that will stay with me forever. The entire trip I felt so safe, was well fed and learned lots about the culture and how I can apply different lessons to my life that I learned in Zanzibar. My local guides were Talha, Big Head, MC, Baboi and Khafuru. The most genuine and kind hearted people.

Absolutely amazing. There’s no way to explain how much this experience meant to my group and I. Besides bringing us all together in a beautiful area, we got to add to the places we were staying and see all the work people do within communities that is often hidden by the larger corporations that are more advertised.