GoEco

My daughter's 9 week trip to Bulawayo was cancelled due to the coronavirus in April. Initially Go Eco were charming saying that she would receive a full refund but months later they no longer return our calls or emails. As a sixth form tutor who has been marketing this company to encourage other young people to travel with them, I find their behaviour short sighted and disappointing. Feel free to get in touch!

I was in the middle of a two-week GoEco trip in Valencia, Spain when Spain started to very strictly quarantine each of their cities due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, it became clear very quickly that I was not going to be able to continue working with the local NGO the coming week and would need to catch a flight home as soon as possible. GoEco was in contact with me throughout all of this, asking how the trip was going, if I had made it home safely, etc. They were even so kind as to offer me partial credit for the portion of the trip I wasn't able to participate in, so I could use it towards another project in the future. I am extremely grateful for this! The week I spent in Valencia was one of my most favorite experiences ever. Every single person I encountered working in the different wetland areas treated me like family right from the start, explained everything in detail, and was so much fun to be around. Furthermore, the opportunity to attend events alongside the local spanish school really made the trip special as I was able to meet and spend time with other people from around the world. I would highly recommend taking a trip with GoEco. For those interested in learning/practicing Spanish, the Valencia trip was such a great way for me to be surrounded by Spanish all day long and really improve my vocabulary, ask questions, etc. I cannot wait for the chance to be able to join another project. Thanks GoEco!

I would just like to say that GoEco have been excellent through this Corona Virus Pandemic. I had paid in full to do 2 weeks at the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary, then Corona-19 hit and I was unable to go 🙁 Go Eco clearly state early on that you are not covered for Pandemics and My Travel Insurance also didn't cover Pandemics. I figured I had nothing to loose so E mailed Go Eco anyway and said due to circumstances could I please postpone my trip. Straight away they came back to me and said of course I could, I have a year to take the trip in 🙂 🙂 They were not obliged to honour my trip, so a huge Thumbs up and BIG THANK YOU to GO Eco.

I booked with go eco and payed the deposit that is stated to be refundable within 7 days in writing. Now I am waiting to see if they are holding up there end of the agreement. If not I鈥檒l be making a call to my credit card company.

I have a bad feeling after now looking at some online reviews.

I have been volunteering for forever, my mom used to take me with her everytime she would go to a shelter, an orphanage or hospital so I was always familiar with the concept. My only impediment was that I could never go volunteer outside of my country by myself as I was underage. That鈥檚 when I discovered GoEco, an organization that makes that possible for anyone as long as they are able to speak english and are mature enough to take care of themselves. I want to share my experience with everyone that is considering going on a project with them, whether they are underage or not, whether it is close to their home or not.
What I love about GoEco is that you do not need special training, fancy diplomas or to know the right people. I found out about them just by doing online research and emailing dozens of similar companies. Keep in mind that I was only fifteen when I was doing this, so that certainly shows that the process is not that hard if you really want to make a change. Because of my age, most of the managers of other companies were telling me that I need a person over the age of 18 to accompany me, but I was fixed on doing my first volunteering trip by myself, so I did not give up. After a GoEco employee emailed me acknowledging me that all I need is my parent鈥檚 consent, the process of my application started.
The first step is to pick the desired location and program. You can truly find anything that suits you, anywhere in the world. They have a multitude of programs that include healthcare, teaching English, wildlife conservation, marine and coral reef research, community aid and development and even internships. Some programs require a certain physical condition, some ask for some specific training on the initiation days, but many of them do not have any requirements.
My choice was a wildlife and social volunteering programed based in Hartebeespoort, South Africa. It is a small community about one hour away from Johannesburg, one of the main cities in South Africa. As soon as I landed, after on a fourteen hours flight, I knew those weeks were about to be the best time of my life.
The first three days are for the orientation and are spent in Johannesburg. The management runs you through the details of the program, shows you around the city and this is where you have the chance of meeting the other volunteers. Volunteers range from all ages, nationalities and ethnicities. After, orientation you leave for Hartebeespoort where the volunteer work is actually going to start. Each day differs from another, except for the wake up call, which I have to say is a pretty early one, around five or six o鈥檆lock in the morning. You do activities such as constructing and cleaning enclosures, feeding or the animals, anti-poaching patrols and even teaching orphaned kids. On the weekends there are numerous activities offered that include hiking in the surrounding areas, going on safaris, shopping or just exploring. I have to admit that one of my main concerns regarding the program was safety, but I can assure anyone that Hartebeesport is indeed a safe community and you will never feel unprotected or have to deal with unpleasant situations as most of the time volunteers are accompanied by someone who has experience and is familiar with the surroundings.
By the time the program was ended, I had made friends, learned a remarkably amount of information about South African culture, flora and fauna. I would strongly recommend the program to anyone that is interested.

Thank you so much to everyone from GoEco who were involved in enabling us to have such an amazing experience.
We really appreciate the friendly and helpful staff who answered all of our questions with patience and understanding prior to our departure.
The coordinators who: met us at the airport, took us many memorable adventures around Chengdu and immersed us in so many cultural experiences were amazing.
They did everything possible to make us feel as comfortable as possible.
The panda experience was amazing!
We met some fantastic people, from all over the world.
Our volunteer experience will be one we remember for a life time and I can鈥檛 wait to volunteer on another project soon.
Than you, GoEco

Really excellent service! GoEco provided us updates throughout the process and made sure once we were overseas that everything was okay and as we expected.

This experience was one of the best I have ever had. The whole team at the monkey and wildlife rehabilitation centre made me feel so welcome, loved and important. I made some amazing friends that I stay in contact with and already have planned a reunion! I learnt so much about the different species of monkey, my favourite was the baboons and quickly made a connection with Chris. They are such beautiful and intelligent animals, I can't wait to go back next year!

For two years I have been traveling with GoEco, and have done a total of four different program. Each program has allowed me to grow as a person and experience the world you see online. Every question and concern was answered in a timely manner. Even when I missed my flight on one of my trips, they were there with a quick response to help me out. All the staff is overly amazing and the programs will definitely change your life. I am already in the process for my next great adventure with them! Hoping for many more great years and experiences!

As a GoEco representative, I went to visit this project to observe and ensure that our volunteers will have a great experience.
And I was delighted to be there! This project is a gem.
I highly recommend it both for the excellent and enjoyable volunteer work, as well as the magnificent locale!

I had an amazing experience with GoEco. They were attentive, polite and provided an excellent customer service. I would definetely use GoEco for another volunteer work.

My teen-aged daughter and I had a wonderful experience with GoEco, volunteering at two animal shelters in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was a great way to be immersed in Israeli culture, get to meet and talk with native Israelis, and do a social action project. The customer service from GoEco before the trip was very helpful and responsive. We were offered walking tours in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as part of the program, with an excellent and personable guide. We also really liked the accommodations, at Abraham Hostel. The program offered enough structure to make us feel safe and cared for, while also allowing for plenty of free time to tour and see family and friends in Israel.

Do not go with this company!!! They are one of the many companys claiming to be helping animals and people yet all the want is your money.

I was interested in doing volunteering in Cambodia in 2018, I contacted them once regarding a couple queries with an elephant sanctuary. This began a two month period where I was called weekly to see how I was going? Did you know we also have this on offer? How's your deposit going. Which alerted me, why would they need to keep checking up on me.

I investigated them further only to find several reviews stating that they aren't a true ethical volunteer sanctuary rather one of the numerous profit driven companies who exploit volunteers trying to help in the world.

Ask yourself this question what place gives a 15% off volunteer rates or $150 discounts. Sounds too convenient..

In December of 2017 I decided it was time for me travel on my own. At 17 y/o I thought it was best to travel with an organisation (and so did my parents). After a bit of searching online I found GoEco and decided on the project I wanted to follow. In April I would go to Sri Lanka to volunteer at a Sea turtle center. The actual organisation aspect of this trip was very well done; GoEco offered more than enough information on all the projects to make an educated decision, they replied very quickly to emails and were very willing to answer any questions me or my parents had about the project itself, my safety and any other issue. When I actually got to the project the in-land coordinators were also very helpful and occupied with the safety of the volunteers. The quality of the project was also absolutely amazing. I loved everything I there; the orientation week, the food, the other volunteers, the volunteer project, and the adorable turtles themselves. I would honestly say that my experience there was made so much better by the fact that I truly felt safe there. Before I left I had no idea what to expect, of course, so I was a little worried about how everything was going to work. However, the second that I came out of baggage claim at the airport and the coordinator was waiting there happily to take me to my first placement all my worries basically vanished. My entire volunteering trip to Sri Lanka was truly an experience I will never forget.

I have volunteered with GoEco on numerous occasions around the world and have had a great experience every time. Donna and the team have helped me pick out some new volunteering programs in places I hadn't even thought of. Would highly recommend them, and would highly recommend volunteering as a unique travel choice!

I really enjoyed my experience at the Coral Reef project in Israel. I have volunteered with GoEco before, and went back and did it again, but at a different project. The staff in the office give a lot of information before travelling, so there aren't any surprises.
The project itself was amazing. the staff are so helpful and like to include you as part of the team. they allow you to give ideas into the conservation of the beach and sea life, and you really get stuck in to work! My favourite job was cleaning the ropes in the sea to protect the coral, as all of the fish come around you to eat the algae.
Its also crazy to see how much plastic gets washed up on the shore every day after the tide goes out. So we clean the beach everyday too. Every day is different.
I stayed in a hostel in Eilat too, which was great as I made friends from all over the world, and the staff there are great. Theres always something to do in the town, and also you could take a trip to Jordan at a weekend!

If I could give Goeco no stars I would. I'm sure they are people out there who have the same story as me, being ripped off by this company. Please if you are reading this, read the fine print before you give any money to them. Once you do you will never see that money again. I was actually contacted by them after visiting their site, they had openings available in one of their programs. I ended up emailing with three different people. They took forever to respond and I had a bad feeling about this company, I wanted out with plenty of time before the cut off. I was manipulated by them, I was played now my 500 dollar deposit is in their pocket.

Do not trust this company. Their unfair T&C forced my daughter to lose a deposit she was pressured into paying. Apparently because she didn鈥檛 cancel within 7 days there will be no refund even though the 鈥榲olunteering鈥?wasn鈥檛 until April. All this company is interested in is manipulating young people out of their hard earned money. If your children are considering going overseas and you expect someone to answer a phone if they are in need of assistance then I certainly wouldn鈥檛 be confident that GoEco will be there to help. Their directors or what they like to call 鈥榝ounders鈥?will be too interested in counting their money rather than looking after your children. What a shocking way to treat a young girl trying to do the right thing and volunteer her time.