I have traveled extensively in Africa and mostly arranged everything myself. For someone who isn't very well-traveled, GoEco is a fantastic organization to help you plan your trip. No matter... See more
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I might just be GoEco’s biggest fan. I travelled a lot the past few years (>20 countries) and my favorite trips ever have all been volunteering projects I have done. My latest ones were the Bali and L... See more
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The initial onboarding meetings, along with the digital checklist reminders, were really helpful leading up to the trip to ensure we had everything we needed. Steni Val was truly a magical little... See more
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I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical at first because it almost sounded too good to be true, but they completely blew my expectations out of the water! My 9-year-old son and I had an incredible tim... See more
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Company details
Information provided by various external sources
GoEco is an eco-tourism company with over 170 wildlife conservation, education and medical volunteering programs worldwide. GoEco also offers TEFL certification courses and international internship opportunities abroad. Since launching in 2006, GoEco has sent thousands of individuals to participate in projects around the globe.
Contact info
United States
- jgilben@goeco.org
- www.goeco.org
4.8
Excellent
422 reviews
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Go eco positive experience
Go eco were really good when I was on a volunteering program in August 2025. They provided all the information that I needed prior to travel. When I was en route there was an issue with luggage. a message to go eco staff was answered really quickly and the support was there
25 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hey Monica! It's so great to hear you felt supported every step of the way and that our team was able to help you out while you were in Cambodia. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us! We hope you came home with plenty of special memories from your time with the elephants and the forest! 🌳💚
- GoEco Team 🐘
Great communication
Great communication! The program information was very thorough and easy to process. My experience was exactly what I expected, except the animals failed to make an appearance. Certainly no ones fault and it didn't diminish my experience at all. I look forward to volunteering again on a different program in the future.
15 September 2025
Reply from GoEco
Hi Cathy,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback with us!🌟 It's wonderful to hear that our team kept you well-informed throughout the program and that everything lived up to what you were expecting.
I know it can be disappointing when the wildlife doesn't cooperate with our plans, but I'm really pleased that you still had a meaningful experience despite missing out on some of the animals you were hoping to encounter. Nature definitely keeps us on our toes!😊
We'd love to have you join us again on a future program. Who knows, maybe next time those elusive animals will decide to put on a show for you!
Thanks again for volunteering with us.
- GoEco Team 🌴
For independent older teens, a good fit
My son has been studying Japanese for years and is very independent (has traveled overseas, navigated New York City at night by himself), so at the age of 17 (summer 2025) we signed him up to go to Japan and teach in a school for students that here in the states would be in inclusive classrooms, but in Japan had their own special school. My son has experience working with kids (including kids with special needs), and can read, right, and speak Japanese proficiently. This is important information to have for what comes next.
When my son met the point of contact, it was on a Friday. The man had trouble finding the domestic arrivals, so my son had to wait for a bit. My son does not get anxious easily, and was pretty chill. The man drives to the dorm, which was about 30 minutes outside of Kyoto. My son gets to the dorm to find out he is the only child there (dorm has a handful of German men in their 20s) and was immediately told by his point of contact that he needed to provide a deposit of ¥40,000 for the dorm room. We had no idea this deposit needed to be made. My son was very lucky he had the cash. The lack of communication on this, combined with jet lag, no other teens, and culture shock did not make for a very good first few days to say the least.
One of the things that stuck with my son was the fact that the German men were volunteers for an entire year, had their visas, etc. My son signed up for two weeks, being a high school student. The men with him were flabbergasted that my son was there. They just thought it was wild that someone would be there for only two weeks. From the pieces that my son was able to put together it looked like GoEco was not the main volunteer organization sending people to Japan.
Overall, my son had a positive experience. But I want to reiterate that anyone who’s thinking about volunteering in a setting more for adults like this one should be very independent and prepared for hiccups. I would caution parents sending their children if it will be their first time dealing with jet lag or navigating airports, etc. in foreign countries alone. My son spent his weekends by himself traveling around Kyoto and Osaka. This worked well for his experience with the language and his personality type, but parents/ teens should ask questions about the specific experience they signed up for, deposits, and fees, point of contact, and whether or not they will truly be experiencing this with children their own age that they can communicate with or all alone.
10 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful feedback and for trusting GoEco with your son’s volunteer journey to Japan! We’re thrilled to hear he had a positive experience overall and so impressed by his maturity, independence, and enthusiasm for immersing himself in a new culture. The local team shared wonderful feedback, he was an absolute pleasure to host and did incredibly well throughout his stay.
For parents who might read this in future, we do offer a range of dedicated teen programs with full chaperone support, group travel, and all-inclusive logistics specifically for groups of kids ages 15–17. This is most ideal and most recommended to all parents who inquire with GoEco.
During the initial booking call we had with you, our team reviewed the structure and expectations of this program in detail, and together we agreed that your son’s maturity, language skills, and prior travel experience made him an excellent fit for this more independent experience. Based on that discussion, your family chose an adult program (designed for participants aged 18 and older, typically ranging from university students to retirees) rather than one of our dedicated teen programs, which include full chaperone support, group travel, and all-inclusive logistics.
As part of our booking and preparation process, we provide all participants with detailed pre-departure materials outlining every aspect of their stay, including the refundable housing deposit. We understand there’s a lot of information to take in before traveling (especially for a young traveler managing jet lag and cultural adjustments) and we completely empathize that this detail may have been easy to overlook.
That said, this is also why our operations team has a dedicated WhatsApp group with our travellers who are just a text message away from us at any time for assistance if there was any concern.
We truly value your feedback and appreciate your recognition that this program in Japan is best suited for highly independent travelers who are comfortable navigating cultural and logistical differences on their own. We completely agree, as this is exactly how the program is described on our website and how our team explained it at the time of booking.
We’re very proud of your son for embracing the adventure with such confidence and curiosity, and we hope his story inspires other independent young travelers to take on similar global experiences with GoEco.
– GoEco Team 🌿
Amazing experience with sloths!
I had an amazing experience with GoEco at the Rescue Center Costa Rica! I spent every day helping to care for sloths and other beautiful animals, in an amazingly relaxing environment, with the logistics seamlessly administered by GoEco. It was everything I was looking for from an eco-volunteer program, and I am absolutely planning to do it again.
17 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hi Joh,
What a fantastic review! 🌟Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Working with sloths is truly something special, and we're thrilled that the Rescue Center in Costa Rica was exactly what you were looking for.😊
It's wonderful to hear that our logistics team made everything seamless so you could focus on making a real difference for these incredible animals in such a relaxing environment.
We're already excited about welcoming you back for your next adventure!
Thanks again for being such a dedicated volunteer.
- GoEco Team 🐾
A dream come true
I volunteered for 3 weeks in South Africa at an animal sanctuary and Go Eco helped me plan everything. I’m glad I chose them as they communicated well throughout the process and they made me feel very safe from the beginning.
Sometimes I felt like I was lacking some info, but I would just email them and they would reply promptly.
The program I chose was absolutely magical and I cant wait to go back.
16 August 2025
Reply from GoEco
Hi Isabela
Thank you for this wonderful review! It's incredible to hear that your 3 weeks at the South African Wild Cat sanctuary and Kruger Safari was a dream come true. 💛
I'm really glad our team made you feel safe and supported throughout the process. While we strive to provide all the necessary information beforehand, we're happy for volunteers being proactive and reaching out as it helps us understand what to prep for in the future!
We're already looking forward to helping you plan your next magical adventure when you're ready to return. 🌍
Thank you for trusting GoEco and for sharing your feedback.
- GoEco Team 🐾
You’ll find peace and humbleness on Sado
Working on an island full of authenticity and being able to explore the beautiful coast while having a great time doing volunteer work and knowing you are helping the world? I couldn’t have been happier and more grateful for such an amazing experience and I reccommend it to anyone especially young adults to find such humbleness and gratitude with getting to meet new people and learn different lifestyles. Definitely stay for at least 2 weeks I stayed for 3 and still didn’t want to leave. It may not be for everyone but if you want to do your part with helping the world surrounded by paradise this is for you.
20 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Alejandro! 🌿
We love how you captured the spirit of volunteering in Japan, the connection to wildlife, the rich culture, the authenticity, and the beauty of the island. Staying three weeks and still not wanting to leave says it all! We’re so glad you found peace and gratitude through your time there, and your reflections really highlight what makes this journey so special.
- GoEco Team 🌿
Guidances provided to the volunteers should be improved
Great volunteering experiences. However, guidances of preparation processes provided to the volunteers before the trip could be largely improved. Currently the communications and guidances are not clear.
19 August 2025
Reply from GoEco
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback Grace. We’re really glad to hear you had a great volunteering experience!
We also truly appreciate your honesty about the pre-trip guidance and communication. Your insights are invaluable, and we’ll be in touch to see exactly where we can improve so that future volunteers have an even smoother and more enjoyable experience.
– GoEco Team 🌿
Awesome Experience
Everything was well-informed and straightforward, making it very easy even for a first timer, and the experience was really great, i enjoyed so much AND learnt so much at the same time, and the company always keeps checking in on how we are and how we are doing which was great considering how many people they have to do this to.
21 August 2025
Reply from GoEco
Thank you for sharing your experience, Yashmit!
We’re so happy to hear that your first time volunteering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in South Africa was such a rewarding one. It’s great to know you not only enjoyed yourself but also learned so much throughout the experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words about the support you received, and thank you for contributing to the important work being done at the center.
– GoEco Team 🐾
I highly recommend GoEco for volunteering abroad
I highly recommend GoEco for anyone who is considering volunteering abroad. Their organisation is impeccable and they are with you every step on the way, ensuring you have a great experience and feel safe at the same time.
22 August 2025
Reply from GoEco
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Donna!
We’re thrilled to hear that your time with the Women’s English Literacy Program in Sri Lanka was such a positive one. It means a lot to know you felt supported and safe every step of the way.
We really appreciate your recommendation and are so glad you had a great experience volunteering with us!
– GoEco Team 📚
Chipangali is a magic place
Chipangali is a magic place! So that's a fact!
All worked out very well, the organization was perfectly managed.
6 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thank you for your wonderful review Paola! 🌟
We're so happy to hear that you found the African Wildlife Orphanage in Zimbabwe to be such a magical place.
It's great to know that everything worked out well for you and that you felt the program was well organized. The work being done there truly is special, and we're glad you got to experience it firsthand.
Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
- GoEco Team 🐆
My Review of Volunteering with GoEco in Sigatoka, FijiFrom the moment I applied in December…
From the moment I applied in December 2024, GoEco has provided me with outstanding support and guidance every step of the way. Their communication was always clear and timely, ensuring that I felt fully prepared before arriving in Sigatoka, Fiji.
During my two weeks of childcare volunteering from July 6 to 19, I had the privilege to work closely with local teachers and children, sharing not only educational activities but also laughter, cultural exchange, and kindness. This experience has been truly meaningful to me — it opened my heart, broadened my perspective, and reminded me how small acts of care can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Fiji’s warmth is not only in the tropical climate but also in its people. I felt welcomed by the community in Sigatoka and inspired by their resilience and joy. This journey has enriched my life far beyond my expectations, and I am deeply grateful to GoEco for making it possible.
I highly recommend GoEco to anyone who wishes to contribute meaningfully while exploring the beauty and culture of a new country.
6 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hi Mei Mei
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience on the Inspire Kindergartners program in Sigatoka! We're so happy our team supported you from application through to your time in Fiji.
It sounds like you had exactly the kind of meaningful experience we hope for, working with the local teachers and connecting with the kids.
The warmth of the Sigatoka community is truly special, and we're glad you felt so welcomed there. These are the moments that remind us why we love what we do.
Thanks for your kind words and recommending GoEco to others. Your honest review helps us support the program and continue providing great service.
- GoEco Team 💛
What an amazing, safe, life-changing adventure
This is one of the most buttoned-up, well-organized, and efficient tour companies I've ever experienced. Sending my 17-year-old daughter to Costa Rica by herself for two weeks is not something I agreed to allow lightly. But the lead-up to her departure was so well thought out, with every question and concern addressed, that I was very comfortable as I dropped her off at the airport.
From the moment she arrived in San Jose, there was constant communication from the staff about what was happening, along with photos and updates each day. I was comfortable the entire time she was away.
But more importantly, Nia came back glowing, talking about all the amazing adventures she had and about the life-long friends she made. A game-changer for her life, and I'll always remain grateful to GoEco for providing that experience for her.
Ted Larkins
9 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hey Ted
Thank you so much for trusting us with Nia's first international adventure!🌟 We completely understand how big a decision it was to send your 17-year-old daughter to our Sea Turtle Volunteering & Adventure Tour for Teenagers in Costa Rica.
We're so glad our team addressed all your concerns and kept you updated with daily photos and communication. Knowing you felt comfortable the entire time means everything to us.
But hearing that Nia came back glowing and made lifelong friends is what really makes our day! 🤩These conservation experiences often become turning points for young people, and it sounds like this was exactly that for her.
Thank you for giving Nia this opportunity and for your kind words. We're honored to have been part of such a meaningful experience for your family.
- GoEco Team 🌴
They have no idea what ESC is and I…
They have no idea what ESC is and I make myself look for their NGOs that work with them if they are on the lists that I obviously don't have access to. I also make myself send a message to those at ESC. If I can message them to ask if they accept them
25 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hi Andrada,
We’re truly sorry to see that you’re upset and that there has been some confusion regarding your questions. We understand you reached out to us for the first time just 24 hours ago via WhatsApp, and our team has been actively responding to your questions since then.
While we did inform you we don't have a relationship with the ESC directly, we are still working to assist you with your questions regarding organizations and funding options. We encourage you to connect with us again - ideally by phone - so we can better understand your needs and guide you accordingly.
We appreciate your patience and genuinely want to help you find the answers you’re looking for.
Warm regards,
The GoEco Team
GoEco’s Sea Turtle Rescue-Sri Lanka
I joined GoEco’s Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation project in Sri Lanka and it exceeded every expectation. The program offers hands-on, ethical turtle care, including feeding & cleaning, as well as facilities -providing real impact in marine conservation
The local team was welcoming, organized, and deeply committed. Accommodation was comfortable, meals were tasty and inclusive, and there was reliable support throughout the stay . The daily routine struck a perfect balance between meaningful work and free time to explore the nearby beaches and cultural treasures
If you're looking to support endangered species, form connections with locals and volunteers alike, and return home with unforgettable memories, this program is a top-notch choice. Highly recommended!
21 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hi Rayna.
Thank you for your fantastic review of our Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation project in Sri Lanka!🐢 We're so happy to hear it exceeded your expectations.
It's wonderful that you and your family got to experience hands-on turtle care and saw the real conservation impact firsthand. Our local team there is truly amazing, and we're glad you felt so welcomed and supported throughout your stay.
Also we love that you found a great balance between meaningful work and exploring the beautiful beaches and cultural sites nearby.
Thanks for recommending the program and for being such a dedicated volunteer.
- GoEco Team 🐢
Once in a lifetime experience
The 10 days volunteering experience was so meaningful.. we were part of the community and were able to made a real impact by teaching the community English lessons. Everything was professional and well organised
14 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thank you for sharing Shaked! It’s so awesome to hear that your 10 days of community outreach in Zanzibar were not just meaningful, but that you really felt part of the community. Teaching and making that kind of impact is something to be really proud of!
We’re also thrilled to hear things ran smoothly and felt well-organized, that’s what we love to hear. Thanks for jumping in, giving it your all, and making a difference! 💛we’d love to have you join us again for another meaningful journey!
- GoEco Team 🌍
Zanzibar Teaching Program
I recently completed the teaching program in Zanzibar, where I spent six weeks teaching English to children and adults in a stunning location. GoEco made this experience incredibly easy and stress-free; it was everything I had hoped it would be. Often, the logistics, arrival, visas, and pre-flight preparations are the most stressful parts of the trip for travelers, including myself. After completing three separate volunteer experiences with GoEco, I have found them to be exceptional at alleviating the burden on volunteers and ensuring everything runs smoothly up to the arrival date and thereafter. The project itself was well-established, organized, impactful, and highly respected within the community. Something I love about all the GoEco projects I have completed is that they consistently emphasize maintaining a very positive reputation in the neighborhood, city, or country where they are located. As a result, the locals are incredibly welcoming, helpful, and accommodating, making it easy to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the people. This experience was the best of my life, and I plan to return to the same project very soon. I highly recommend both GoEco and the Zanzibar teaching program to future travelers!
18 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Wow Arianna, what an incredible review! 🤩 Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and what an experience it sounds like! Six weeks teaching in stunning Zanzibar, connecting with the community, and making a real impact truly sounds like a dream! 🌴
We’re beyond thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly from start to finish, and that you felt supported every step of the way. We know pre-departure logistics can be a headache, so knowing we helped ease that stress puts the biggest smile on our faces ✈️😊
It honestly means the world to hear how much you value the community connections and the positive reputation of our projects, we believe that’s exactly what makes volunteering so meaningful and sustainable. And the fact that this was the best experience of your life? That totally made our day!💛
We absolutely can’t wait to welcome you back for round four, Zanzibar will be lucky to have you again! 🌍
- GoEco Team 💛
Experience volunteering on a wildlife sanctuary
The group of people working and volunteering at the sanctuary were very kind and welcoming; they made the experience more fun and enjoyable. Being around nature and animals reminded me of the importance of the preservation of the fauna and flora and it gave me insight on a field of work completely different to what I have studied. In addition, the possibility to choose the time of year and duration of the programme facilitated the process and made it more available.
22 June 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thanks so much for sharing this, Sara! We're so happy to hear how welcoming the team was and that the experience opened your eyes to something totally new.
Being surrounded by nature really does have a way of shifting our perspective. And yes, we love that the flexibility makes it easier for more people to jump in and be part of it. Hope to see you back one day! 💚
- GoEco Team🌿
An unforgettable experience!
I visited the Early Childhood Development & Infant Care Program in South Africa in February 2025, and it has stayed with me ever since. It's incredibly impactful to witness how much a small team, with limited resources, can make such a big difference in the lives of so many young children. Their dedication is truly inspiring. GoEco made arranging my volunteer visit so easy, and I honestly can't wait to go back in December!
15 February 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Thank you so much for your beautiful words Pieter! We're so touched to hear how deeply the experience stayed with you, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s amazing what a dedicated team can achieve, even with limited resources.
We’re so glad we could help make your journey smooth, and we’re absolutely thrilled to hear you’re heading back in December! Can’t wait to have you back 💚
- GoEco Team✨
GoEco is an expensive middle man
GoEco is an expensive middle man. GoEco themselves add very little to the experience, besides getting you in contact with the local partner.
I volunteered in a primary school in San Jose Costa Rica. The local partner there was Maximo Nivel. They offered great service and have made my experience memorable. But that was their doing, not GoEco’s. I would recommend anyone who is interested in volunteering to go directly to the local partners and don’t know pay a premium to uninvolved middle men.
1 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hi Boyd,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We're so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your time with our amazing partners at Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica. They’re a 100% extension of our team here at GoEco, our eyes and arms on the ground, and it's exactly why we’ve partnered with them for so many years. We’re thrilled they made your experience so memorable.
We appreciate your constructive thoughts on your experience. GoEco plays an important role in supporting local organizations globally in ways they often cannot manage alone. Based on your feedback, we see that we can do a better job highlighting the value of these partnerships. We'll be reviewing the information shared with upcoming volunteers heading to Costa Rica this month to help clarify our role and connection. Thank you for helping us improve!
To clarify further: GoEco steps in when local organizations lack the global reach to recruit and support volunteers. We serve as the bridge, making these life-changing connections possible and ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. With close to 20 years of experience, we also help ensure that volunteers are joining vetted organizations, and that those organizations are receiving well-prepared, vetted volunteers.
Regarding costs, this is very important for us to address. We’ve sent you a personal email with detailed information about your trip expenses, you always have an open line to us. It's important for us that you know the nature of our partnership with our San José team at Maximo is structured to ensure that all program fees match GoEco’s, there’s no added premium for booking through us. You have the manager's email in the main San Jose Maximo office to verify all details in the email and pricing.
Thank you again for your volunteering, we’re so glad you made a positive impact!
Warm regards,
The GoEco Team
A Trip Absolutely Worth Taking
I met a bunch of really great people! The volunteer work was engaging and really rewarding. We were given plenty of different tasks throughout the 2 weeks I was there. It wasn't all work, we had downtime too; it was nice to go to the beach or to get a coffee or to travel somewhere new. GoEco did a great job of keeping me updated, their instructions were useful and complete, etc. I really can't fault the experience!
2 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from GoEco
Hey Callum. Thanks so much for the lovely review! We're so glad you had such a awesome experience, from the engaging volunteer work to the chance to relax and explore a bit too. It’s great to hear you connected with such a great group of people and felt supported along the way. That’s exactly what we hope for! 😊
Thanks again for being part of it all!
- GoEco Team 😊
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