Review Time
We had an incredible few days at the Matang wildlife centre. It’s very difficult to articulate how positive we felt about our experience but safe to say we loved it. The highlights were the group. We felt very lucky to be with people who were so friendly, like-minded and easy-going. The group chat is still going! A huge shoutout for Dom and Sam who couldn’t have been more welcoming and supportive during our stay. They are very special individuals and their commitment to the animals was inspiring. It was very humbling supporting the animals and, despite their stories being very sobering, it felt very fulfilling contributing a small amount to keep them happy, healthy and safe. Our only other feedback was that the work was hard. This was fine for us, but there were several members of the group who struggled and I think the nature of the tasks and how physically demanding they are could be more openly communicated. Also to note, we didn’t get the 2 days off mentioned on the website. This wasn’t an issue at all and our excursion day was spectacular, however I think this should also be more clearly highlighted for the people who only stay one week at the project.Finally a huge thanks! We had a brilliant time and booking, paying and planning our trip was made so easy by Fran at the great projects. We‘re looking forward to the next one!
I had a wonderful time in Matang at The Great Orangutan Project. Dom and Sam were amazing, and it was truly a pleasure to learn from them and hear their stories! They are both incredibly helpful, fun and they are very passionate about their work. Everyone at the center is dedicated to animal welfare and it is clear they go to great lengths to ensure the health and safety of the animals in their care. You will stay right beside the center in simple accommodation, waking up to a chorus of Gibbons singing their hearts out. The group atmosphere is really lovely, where you share meals together and spend free-time enjoying the jungle as a group. The work includes some housekeeping in the morning and enrichment activities or maintenance in the afternoon. It is sweaty work, but thoroughly enjoyable! Tip: bring welly/ football socks and a proper rain poncho! You’ll have the best time, and you'll fall in love with the bears.
Excellent way to get behind the scenes on a 5-star game reserve. Really knowledgeable and passionate guides made it an outstanding experience. Can be hard work at times so need to be fit & healthy and ready for some manual labour, but well worth it for the access you have to the animals. Accommodation is reasonable (c3 star), I shared a room with another girl, but having your washing done weekly and all meals cooked for you is a treat. We saw the big 5 (minus leopard) on multiple occasions and had some very close encounters with these and other amazing wildlife of all shapes & sizes (from giraffe to dung beetles). Would highly recommend as a way to give back and learn, as well as escape and enjoy nature in a beautiful setting.
I had the best time at Samboja Lestari! I've loved orang utans since I was a kid so this was an absolute dream come true. I have also been making donations to BOS for a very long time so it was extra exciting and interesting to see and experience their work - and even help myself! I had super nice, fun and knowledgeable coordinators, I enjoyed working and spending time with them! There was a great itinerary with a good mix of hard and more relaxed labour as well as great planned group activities during free time. Even the hard physical labour was fun and there were always tasks for different levels of strength/endurance. The Samboja Lodge was a very nice accommodation with hotel perks like air conditioning, house keeping, three tasty cooked meals a day (even vegan for me!) and an affordable laundry service. I was also lucky to have a super nice and fun group of volunteers which made work as well as leisure way more enjoyable. The best part was definitely seeing orang utans every day, especially from the boat at feeding time on the islands of the non releasebles (the biggest treat for everyone of us). Also, even though I came for the orang utans, I got to know the sunbears and ended up loving them as well! I'm already looking into the other projects because I was so happy with everything. I would definitely recommend The Great Projects and this project in particular to anyone who loves orang utans and also would like to experience a country in a different and in my opinion more meaningful way than just as a tourist. In addition, the Great Projects office was always super helpful whenever I had any questions beforehand and answered my emails very quickly!
The Great Projects are amazing! I’m a 56 year old female who recently spent a month inSouth Africa, first week was spent at Amakhala and then 3 weeks at Kariega, I was so very nervous, it was my first time ever doing anything like this, first time travelling on my own too. The Great Projects were always at the end of the phone whatever time I needed them, and they always answered emails within half an hour, even out of hours. I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work and for being there for me, even though I must have come across as a pain sometimes with my constant questions and concerns. I had nothing at all to worry about and the experience I had in South Africa was truly life changing, I cannot rate this company any higher, amazing from start to finish and I’m already looking at booking my next project with them, special thanks to Joel, and then to Michael x
I went on the Great Projects Gorilla trip, and it was truly amazing. So much so that I booked again on this wonderful trip to Uganda. It influenced me to also raise funds and build a school and orphanage in Nteko, near Kisoro (bwindiproject.org). Seeing gorillas in the wild, visiting schools, helping with a cycle cinema, chimpanzee trek, safari, boat trip, planting trees, all a part of a great trip. I recommend joining Great Projects, and feel the real country that you visit.
I am writing this review to prompt the Great Projects to have a better refund policy under pandemic and emergency situations and to expand their policies to include the welfare of volunteers and the local regulations of the country of their residence.I had registered for a volunteering trip in April. During the Covid-19 pandemic in early March, my country of residence issued a release of advising against travelling and quarantine for anyone who would return from travel. Additionally, as flights all around was constantly being changed and canceled, I was afraid to travel and being stranded in addition of the risk of getting the virus.I contacted the Great Projects to cancel my trip, not by choice, rather by the government recommended health measures of my place of residence and requested a full refund. I spoke to both Nikita and the manager where they said that they do not follow any other countries laws or regulations except UK and WHO and unless they have a travel ban, then they will not refund. As I had a month notice, be it half-luck on my side, they only refunded half of the fees.As they operate on such an International scale and having different projects all around the globe, it is amazing to me that they have complete disregard to the situation of the volunteers. The manager further confirmed that the same had happened during the Sri Lanka bombings to Australians, that even though the Australians authorities had warned their residents of not travelling there, it seems that they had been ignored and The Great Projects had only followed the UK recommendations and had not refunded.The short sided vision seems to completely disrespect the health measures enforced by residence countries of the volunteers and what I feel is a complete disregard to the safety of volunteers.
I just had my trip cancelled. I didn't ask for it to be cancelled but she went ahead anyway after I asked if it was possible for a bit more time to pay the big final deposit. I got no reassurance and my questions weren't really answered via email. Paying over nearly a thousand pounds with no assurance I would get it back if the trip was cancelled or the company went under was unnerving. I asked plainly what the terms were and she didn't answer me. As a self employed person who had saved and wanted to do this for so long, I felt she cancelled it needlessly. And yes I understand that the rest of the deposit needed to be paid, but no harm in answering my questions with some care first! No one else is going to book on a trip for May because of what's going on. I think she should reflect on how she does business and the difference between keeping a good relationship or losing potential volunteers who truly care for both the environment and people. She should have at least given a warning that she was going to cancel rather than just do it. What is going on in the world is massive and a selfish and entitled attitude isn't caring, kind or welcome.
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The Great Projects is an expert provider of safe and ethical volunteer holidays abroad for solo travellers, families, and groups. Founded in 2006, we offer a selection of unique and exclusive projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. Specialising in wildlife conservation, our projects are perfect for anyone looking to go behind the scenes and work with some of the planet's most endangered species.
As members of ATOL and ABTOT, we are fully committed to ensuring the safety of everyone who travels with us. Plus, with flights, tailor-made travel insurance, and a passionate, dedicated, and friendly team available 24/7, we make booking easy, offering peace of mind to all our volunteers throughout their journey. So what are you waiting for? Find your next adventure today, with The Great Projects.See more
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