Program Reviews

I had an awful experience with the Great Projects. There was no in country support and I was in a very remote part of South America where there were threats to steal all my belongings. I had to evacuate the following morning and fly back to the UK. They have no in country support that is available and the whole thing seems very professional on the uk side but absolutely unsafe. Be very cautious booking any trips that they newly advertise as an 18 year old traveller they do not offer any support when it becomes dangerous. I would recommend Think Pacific and I would avoid the Great Projects like the plague. I still paid for the experience where I was threatened by multiple people to have my stuff stolen whilst they tried to break through the door of the basic room I was staying in. I have not been offered any compensation and actually paid for the hell of this experience. Do not book this as a univeristy student/ Gap year student- it is highly dangerous !

Amazing Wildlife & Volunteer Project (Elephants, Rhinos, Cheetahs, and More!)
July 2021

10 out of 10! My brother, sister and I just returned home from a two week stay at Imire, in Zimbabwe. I've been on 8 safaris (5 to Tanzania and 3 to Kenya) over the past 25 years. All were amazing and fabulous experiences. This time, I decided to step behind the tourist safari scene and get personally involved in a true conservation/community service volunteer project. After reviewing dozens of projects, I chose the Imire Rhino and Elephant Conservancy Project posted on the GREAT PROJECTS website. Unlike a traditional safari, Imire blends up-close, intimate wildlife viewing with meaningful contributions to conservation and community building. The daily walks with elephants, tracking and following cheetahs as they stalk their prey, being able to feed and actually touch endangered Black and White Rhinos, engaging with local school children and the community, working alongside the Imire wildlife handlers, anti-poaching rangers, and participating in the daily chores necessary to maintain the Conservancy, resulted in this trip to Africa being the best one yet! The Great Projects staff (Michael, Jane, and Morgan) provided excellent and timely information and support from my very first contact to our arrival in Zimbabwe. Don B

Briefly, the “Great Projects” great white sharks South African program may be alright for teenagers and mid-level or untrained/moderately trained, budget conscious college or possibly even graduate students seeking a thrill and a travel opportunity, however, if you are well educated, have a profession that you are taking time from in order to obtain a real opportunity to volunteer in a way that allows you to truly give back and assist constructively with shark conservation and/or if you are looking for a more meaningful level of education about shark conservation, then this program is NOT for you. At its essence, this is a themed sleep-away camp for young people on a budget.

In more detail, the “Great Projects” promises you training in shark biology and conservation, cage diving, data collection, training in basic seamanship, and much more. Delivery is pretty hit-or-miss and really depends on luck. If the weather is bad, as it often is (when I went, the group before me had just experienced 4 “no sea” days during which time several told me they were bored out of their skulls and I myself experienced only two “sea days” the entire time I was there and never got to get in the cage, despite the program’s guarantee) the volunteers are mostly left in their “cottages” with massive amounts of downtime and nothing to do. When I was there, the project intern would take people out to drink, smoke and dance at the local pub. While this can be fun, it’s not why I volunteered and contributed nothing toward the shark conservation mission. **Note to parents of high school kids: be sure you trust your teen and that she or he can handle him/herself because the intern and the volunteer program coordinator try to be “friends,” not guidance counsellors or mentors or babysitters or teachers. The program coordinator regaled a group of two young volunteers with stories about how she used to party all the time. These 17-20 year olds look up to the volunteer coordinator. Just keep in mind that the level of professionalism and maturity is very low. Will your teens like them? Probably yes because they may seem very fun and let them do all the things parents might not. Will people older than 25 like them? Maybe but I think much less likely if they’re professionals. Depends where you are in your life.** The company comes across like just one more in the sea of semi-ethical companies capitalizing on well meaning people, taking their labour and money.

Breaking it down some more:

1. The Training

The entire time I was there, I got one lecture from the marine biologist. It was quite decent and he was a smart, interesting man, but that was it. Another volunteer who is studying biology in the UK created an ad hoc lecture on ocean pollution for us at the request of the volunteer coordinator because there was literally nothing else to do. The boat crew did give an excellent basic training on seamanship for those unfamiliar with all things nautical. That training takes only an afternoon and is done. For the majority of the time, the volunteers are hanging out in their “cottage” or washing wetsuits or cleaning the boat. There is very minimal education. Again, fine for high school students or even low level college students or grad students without much biology training. If you want to learn how to wash a wetsuit, though, you will definitely learn that. If you’re lucky to have good weather and be at sea regularly, without having to rely on the volunteer coordinator, you may have a very good time. But that will be based on luck.

2. The Lodging and Food

Expect bare bones. The bathroom in the upper cottage had black mold colonies growing on the walls, a toilet permanently stained, paint peeling off the shower floors, and was unheated. If you go in the winter, expect it to be freezing and pack accordingly. The lower cottage has two bedrooms and the upper cottage three, which are fairly dirty and have twin-size bunk beds in them to dorm everyone up. They provide a pillow and one coverlet. They do not provide towels. Nobody goes on this project expecting The Ritz so it’s fine, but don’t expect anything too nice. The breakfast foods provided are milk, inexpensive bulk cereal and white bread. If you are vegan, you will have to go and buy your own food. If you’re lucky enough to go out on the boat, they will have water, crisps (with dairy - sorry vegans) and peanut butter sandwiches. Other than that, food-wise, you’re on your own. Good luck.

3. Location and Poaching

It is a small touristy town with several shark cage diving companies, one of which you’ll be working for, washing wetsuits and cleaning the boat. There is very little nightlife. There is one restaurant within walking distance. It’s beautiful for all ocean and nature lovers. Sadly, the first thing the project intern informed us of was that it’s unsafe to go out alone after dark because of, according to them, an abundance of poachers who will threaten and even physically harm anyone they perceive to be watching them too closely. The intern stated there are many, many poachers who collect abalone illegally every night and that the local police are paid off to look the other way. I suggested reporting the poaching to a level above the local police. The intern advised us not to report the poaching and that it’s the “Great Projects” policy not to interfere with poaching, which was surprising and disturbing. I reported the poaching to a third party watchdog group anyway and, a week later, was told by a Cape Town resident that arrests for poaching were made in Gansbaai. Coincidence? And why didn’t the staff of the “Great Projects” do that from the start? How can you say you support and promote marine conservation yet turn a blind eye to poaching and actively dissuade others from reporting it? Hmmmm.

4. Who Will the Other Volunteers Be?

Based on my experience and talking to others after the fact, the volunteers are majority female, white, teens to early 20’s. They tend to be majority from the UK, and most seem to be smokers. Based on what others told me, volunteers over 30 and volunteers who are professionals tend not to fare well with the project, partly due to the immaturity of the intern and volunteer coordinator and partly due to the lack of organisational structure/cohesion and partly due to the fact they’re bunking with excitable kids that may be their own kids’ ages. While I was there, though, even the teens had had it. At least three people under the age of 25 also left the program early.

5. Race

As mentioned above, volunteers appear to be predominantly white. When I was there I was the only person of colour and did feel a bit of an outsider. The staffers dealing directly with the volunteers from authority positions were also white and British. The only black South Africans I met on the project (who, by the way, were all lovely and the bright shining positive part of the program) were working in labourer positions, not authority positions.

6. Most importantly, will you actually help sharks and aid in shark conservation?

Sadly, my personal experience was that I did not feel I had the opportunity to actually help sharks or aid in shark conservation. Because I was left alone to my own devices the majority of the time, I felt pretty useless. I offered to help with anything from data entry and collection to shark observation, but was mostly ignored. The two times the boat actually went out, we didn’t cage dive or take data. I do think there’s a potential for a great experience if you have luck and don’t need to rely on the volunteer coordinator. If you go when the weather is good and can get out on the boat frequently and really observe the sharks and collect data, you might have an eye-opening experience. Sadly, that didn’t happen for me. When I was there, instead of using all the downtime to educate the volunteers on other ways to educate the public about shark conservation or take other constructive measure to help sharks (which you can do without needing to be on a boat), the volunteers were either left alone with nothing to do or the intern took people to the pub or the volunteer coordinator would arrange some sort of typically touristy excursion. If you are 17 and have never traveled before or if you’re older and on a serious budget and have never had these touristy experiences, they will likely be fun for you. If you are already well traveled and came to the program as a means to really throw yourself into shark conservation for two weeks to give back to the community and not to holiday, you will feel like it’s been quite a waste of time. I was able to take lemons and make lemonade though. After it became clear there would be no more sea days for the remainder of the project, and after three days of nothingness, the volunteer coordinator sent the volunteers to a youth hostel for two nights where they could pay to go on tourist excursions like a safari, etc. I did not go. Instead, when it was clear no efforts would be made towards shark conservation, I promptly left and spent the remainder of my time traveling South Africa solo, which was a wonderful and eye opening experience.

7. How to Help Sharks

What I will say is DO support the shark education and conservation efforts of the eco-conscious shark diving operations by going on cage dives with them. Your contribution toward the local economy and support as a tourist will probably be more meaningful than washing wetsuits. Bonus points if you utilise a company actually owned and operated by South Africans.

In Sum

This project was a waste of my time and I would not recommend it to anyone well versed in biology, serious about social good and over the age of 30. Teens looking for a low-cost summer camp with a shark theme, however, will probably be just fine.

I stayed at Fuze Ecoteer's project for a month... In that time I learn how to dive and was able to put this skill to use whilst surveying. It was so rewarding to use this skill to collect data that will hopefully be used to influence marine park management. Such a beautiful place to work in - developed a true appreciation for the marine life. It's also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local village an culture. I was lucky enough to see three Hawksbill turtles whilst diving!

I stayed two weeks and it was an excellent mix of game drives, physical labour and working with the local community. I spent a day with the Born Free Foundation which was awesome ... cutting up meat to feed the cats and cleaning their cages etc. We also spent ages just observing elephants. The accomodation is basic but good and the food plentiful. This organisation lives its mission and really are into conservation and education.

At this project i really felt like i did a lot to help the orangutans. However, this project is definitely only for people who are physically very fit and can stand the heat. And you should also keep in mind that you are not allowed at any time to touch one of the orangutans. What you will mainly do there is maintenance at the project site and a lot of construction work. Nevertheless the jungle itself is worth a trip there. Don't be disappointed when you can't interact with the orangutans there, you did a lot for the conservation of this species!

I stayed at Naankuse for 3 weeks, and 1 week at Neuras.

I think I forgot to breath during that month, it was INCREDIBLE. Lots of animal interaction time. The great projects calls this a cheetah project with hard work 1 week on the farm ( Naankuse ) and 1 week with 'cheetahs'. The title is incredibly misleading as it leads you to believe your going to be cheetahs all day and releasing them left right and center. Going to Neuras its self is amazing, the reason im saying its misleading is you only see the cheetahs ONCE at the end of the week to feed them. For a brief hour or 2.

You learn a lot both on the farm ( Naankuse ) and at Neuras. On the farm you wake up at 6:30, breakfast is from 7-8 then its morning meeting.

You have a group, so you will do different projects every day varied from cleaning cheetah camps, building camps (animals), food prep, cleaning animal enclosures, water hole watch, an animal walk or research. At night you can volunteer for or be volunteered to sleep with an orphaned monkey. Please, be open minded they dont have a mom they only have us to care for them.

So work from 8:30 - 12/12:30
Lunch break 12 - 2
Work 2- 5:30
Supper at 6:00

And then you are off for the rest of the day and can stay by the camp fire as long as you want really, as long as you are quite after 10 and make sure the fire is out.

The staff are VERY friendly and treat you like family. Never be afraid to ask a question, they love to answer them.

So that Saturday you will leave to Neuras ( research and the pride and joy of Naankuse ... the soft release site aka where you meet the other cheetahs not at naankuse ). Its a 4 hour drive to Neuras, with a stop along the way to pee and get snacks.

Neuras has snacks to buy, you do NOT need to stock up.

During your week at neuras you can relax.
There are natural springs to swim in ( clear!! ) and 2 youngster kudu in the bush that hang around for the water.

Neuras is a vineyard ( I helped plant some of the new vines :) ) So I encourage you all to buy the wine!

During that week, you may be asked to help collect trap camera sd cards or check cages. You will create a card board enrichment for the cheetahs to kill later that week and will learn how to use radio collars and gps. You will be sent off to find the collars on trees, or random check points a few times that week because on friday you will have to navigate a canon while using knowledge you learned that week to earn points.

You learn a variety of tracking skills, poo i.ding ect from Matt and Kate that will be drilled into my head forever.

I loveeee naankuse and neuras. It will forever be apart of me ( i ended up calling Naankuse home ) , I will be heading back this year.

I stayed at Naankuse for 3 weeks, and 1 week at Neuras.
I think I forgot to breath during that month, it was INCREDIBLE. Lots of animal interaction time. The great projects calls this a cheetah project with hard work 1 week on the farm ( Naankuse ) and 1 week with 'cheetahs'. The title is incredibly misleading as it leads you to believe your going to be cheetahs all day and releasing them left right and center. Going to Neuras its self is amazing, the reason im saying its misleading is you only see the cheetahs ONCE at the end of the week to feed them. For a brief hour or 2.

You learn a lot both on the farm ( Naankuse ) and at Neuras.
On the farm you wake up at 6:30, breakfast is from 7-8 then its morning meeting.

You have a group, so you will do different projects every day varied from cleaning cheetah camps, building camps (animals), food prep, cleaning animal enclosures, water hole watch, an animal walk or research. At night you can volunteer for or be volunteered to sleep with an orphaned monkey. Please, be open minded they dont have a mom they only have us to care for them.

So work from 8:30 - 12/12:30
Lunch break 12 - 2
Work 2- 5:30
Supper at 6:00

And then you are off for the rest of the day and can stay by the camp fire as long as you want really, as long as you are quite after 10 and make sure the fire is out.

The staff are VERY friendly and treat you like family. Never be afraid to ask a question, they love to answer them.

So that Saturday you will leave to Neuras ( research and the pride and joy of Naankuse ... the soft release site aka where you meet the other cheetahs not at naankuse ). Its a 4 hour drive to Neuras, with a stop along the way to pee and get snacks.

Neuras has snacks to buy, you do NOT need to stock up.

During your week at neuras you can relax.
There are natural springs to swim in ( clear!! ) and 2 youngster kudu in the bush that hang around for the water.

Neuras is a vineyard ( I helped plant some of the new vines :) ) So I encourage you all to buy the wine!

During that week, you may be asked to help collect trap camera sd cards or check cages. You will create a card board enrichment for the cheetahs to kill later that week and will learn how to use radio collars and gps. You will be sent off to find the collars on trees, or random check points a few times that week because on friday you will have to navigate a canon while using knowledge you learned that week to earn points.

You learn a variety of tracking skills, poo i.ding ect from Matt and Kate that will be drilled into my head forever.

I loveeee naankuse and neuras. It will forever be apart of me ( i ended up calling Naankuse home ) , I will be heading back this year.

Critical Feedback:

Are you kidding me, this is perfect. Just change the title.