Oyster Worldwide Reviews 

Just back from an incredible experience at Kwantu game reserve in South Africa. I had two weeks over there and definitely wish I’d gone for longer. As I’m 17 I was one of the youngest in the group of volunteers but that didn’t matter at all because everyone was really welcoming and we had lots of fun. The accommodation and food was all great and I did lots of different activities across the two weeks all across the reserve. The staff at the reserve were all really friendly and helpful, and they helped booking weekend activities for me which was an amazing bungee jump.
The My Oyster portal was really helpful before I went as it gave me so much information and Kate was great at making sure I had all the right paperwork as I was classed as a minor travelling alone.
I would love to do a similar experience again in the future and would use Oyster again as they made the organisation of it all so easy.

My daughter and I spent a wonderful week in Romania volunteering at the Libearty Bear sanctuary in Brasov.
Everything was so well organized from start to finish. This program is so finely tuned, we can only compliment and applaud Oyster. The local director, Razvan, goes above and beyond expectations to ensure a rewarding, fun and safe experience. Our accommodations were great and so close to Old Town Brasov with its many historic sites, restaurants and stores. We had plenty of free time to sightsee in Brasov and surrounding area the weekend before starting and after work in the afternoons/evenings.
We were driven to and from the volunteer site each day. Our work involved sorting through and preparing food for the bears. While it was somewhat messy at times the work days are broken up into manageable shifts and included a guided tour of the sanctuary and a free morning to watch the bear feedings.
We consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to see so many bears up close. We learned a lot about brown bears and how and why the sanctuary was started.
We highly recommend this amazing Oyster program!

I always wanted to spend some time in Australia and it was my biggest dream to combine it with horse work. The programme helped me to make my dream come true!
There was a lot to learn during the training week and the trainers really took their time to explain and show everything to us. We were taught in a small group and all of our questions were answered - and believe me, we had lots of them. ;)
After the training week it was time for the real job - and the preparation week came in really handy for it. It's hard work and of course you get dirty, but I loved every second of it - the people, the horses, the landscape and the weather!
If you love horses and have horse experience, then this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you shouldn't miss out on!

Learned a huge amount in the training week about the way horses are kept and trained in Australia while getting to experience the way they manage a working farm as well. Very kind people and very welcoming! Everything was organised and I got to work at a place where again I learned a huge amount while enjoying the Australian weather and the amazing people!

Just come to me…. Maybe is time for another trip with Oyster …
I have been 3 times with you and love them all …Melaka ZOO in Malaysia
🙉 Monkeys in Ecuador and turtles 🐢 in Costa Rica ….last trip must be 3 years ago… and I start missing those trips….
Barbora Koutova

I was looking for a unique and fulfilling vacation this year, and wow, did I find it with Oyster! I spent a week volunteering at the brown bear sanctuary in Romania and was extremely satisfied with the experience. The sanctuary and its 100+ furry residents are awe inspiring, and it feels good to contribute to the well-being of these animals who have overcome unimaginable challenges.

I can't speak highly enough about the outstanding service provided by the Oyster office and field staff. Roger and Razvan promptly and thoroughly answered all my questions, and went above and beyond to ensure I was prepared for the trip and well taken care of throughout my stay.

One special aspect to volunteering here is the chance to see the sanctuary as an insider, with access to areas that regular tourists never see. Although the work itself (in most cases, food prep) is not glamorous, it’s well worth the effort because it results in happy, well-fed bears. Volunteering here can involve multiple hours of being on your feet and walking each day, but this was more than welcome for me as my real-world job is all too sedentary and I love to hike. The sanctuary is situated in beautiful oak forests at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, so there is really no better place to do all that walking.

While Oyster’s website may initially give the impression that they primarily cater to gap year travel, they are much more than this. They have projects suitable for mid-career and mature travelers, as well as families and youth. Check them out!

I am a podiatric medical school student in the USA with a strong interest in global health. I had initially researched many medical programs abroad and the oyster worldwide program ended up being the best. The directors were always professional and replied to my emails in a timely manner. As I began volunteering in Braşov, the medical staff I worked with were very kind and helpful. Also, many patients were happy to see us which is a great sign. Inclusively, I had learned a little bit of Romanian which allowed me to communicate with patients. I enriched my medical experience as I was simultaneously welcomed by the Romanian hospitality: a unique experience that this program offers.

I took the CVNZ conservation trip to New Zealand for two weeks and I wish I stayed longer. I loved every moment, especially the conservation. The people that I met on my short time on the trip became a little Nz family to me and I’m very sad to be going. The work was rewarding, fast paced, at some points tricky and exhausting but the team makes it fun. The other activities and fun days we also did make it completely worth it!

Living in a house with just other volunteers was daunting at first but it was a really fantastic expensive and i have made some lifelong friends and memories. We got our weekends and evenings off to head to local places and sights and really got to feel like locals.

Many thanks for all your help Oyster!

Volunteering at the Bear Sanctuary - Wow!
This was an amazing trip, with everything being so well organised and thought of. Right from my first inquiry where Roger listened and advised me, throughout all the booking process, (amazing personal portal tool), and up to the trip, I felt like I had good support from Roger and the Oyster team.
During the final days of build up, Razvan (the man on the ground) took over the care, and he became like a caring big brother throughout the trip. He's been brilliant, supportive, helpful, and great fun throughout the stay.
The delightful driver, Ovi, was amazing, knowledgeable and fun. He made the daily journeys a great experience.
Then comes the sanctuary, and that's just amazing. The team work hard and care so much for the rescued bears and other animals, they welcome the volunteers and help them get the tasks done.
It's stunningly beautiful there, and you get a sense of peace while working hard and walking a lot. The tasks can be hard work, but you're left to work at your own pace, take a break with some photo time, or just wander and enjoy the animals and the scenery.
The flat in Brasov is lovely, has everything you need, and is so safe and central, you have everything you need. Also, there's Razvan's beautiful cat "Acorn" who likes to welcome you home with lovely purrs and hugs! Brasov itself is a gorgeous town, so much history, scenery, and a sense of community to it. A lovely culture of street food, shops, town events - all very welcoming and friendly.
The whole trip from start to end has been so well organised and prepared, with every detail taken care of and thought of. I would recommend this adventure to absolutely anyone - do it and enjoy the adventure!

Roger was very helpful with any queries I had prior to the holiday and I had plenty as it was the first time, I would be travelling alone. The whole experience was run smoothly from being picked up at the airport , to meeting our guide and support, Razvan, to the taxis taking us to and from the bear sanctuary daily . Each day Razvan , contacted the manager of the sanctuary and we were informed by phone, what our job entailed for the day. Any queries or problems he could be contacted to sort them out.
The work at the sanctuary is hardwork, but rewarding as you know it is helping, and allowing the regular workers to get on with other things. You can work at your own pace and if you organise your work area it makes the work easier. You do have to walk quite far every day to get around the sanctuary and at places it is up hill.
You get time to take photos and enjoy watching the bears and the other animals around and you see areas , that the general public dont get to see. The views around the sanctuary are incredible and the nature as well.
The Oyster flat you stay in, is basic, but clean and in a lovely location in the historic part of beautiful Brasov. Take a bit more cash than is suggested by the company as like everywhere inflation has gone up alot in Romania recently.
If you love animals and nature and wish to have an amazing experience and are willing to work , then this holiday is for you . If you are worried about travelling on your own, then dont be , you are well looked after and supported during this experience, Razvan thinks of everything and cares about you.

After a very disappointing Japan Dragon trip in March 2020 due to Covid lock downs.
Georgie at Oyster Travel went out of her way to be helpful,and was very professional in rebooking another trip for me with Dragon trips in happier times. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to book your next amazing travel experience.

Kate with Oyster has been tremendous as my guide to all things pre-departure! My questions were answered efficiently, and always politely, Kate checked in regularly and assured me of everything I needed along with time frames. She was so supportive of my reality in needing to renew my passport. Never critical, never condescending, despite my ridiculous mistake of letting it expire in the middle of Covid! I could not be more complementary of all that Kate did to make this trip come together. I am at the departure gate right now as I head off to Thailand and want to say thank you thank you thank you!

The last few weeks I have been travelling around South East Asia with Oyster Worldwide, completing my Gold The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

This has been a truly once in a lifetime experience, meeting many new people from all around the world and learning about the Asian culture and lifestyle.

From volunteering at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chaing Mai, Thailand to partying on a yacht in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, I enjoyed every second of it.

Oyster Worldwide have been super professional and helpful throughout the whole experience and made a complex and daunting trip, a breeze in the park!

Easy to book, great communication from start to finish.
Great support, wonderful accommodation.
It was sad listening to tales of the rescue bears but it's a blessing they have been saved and have a beautiful place to live now.
A wonderful experience all round.

I found a lot of facts about Brazil in 5 minutes! It helped me know more about this country.

Georgie has been extremely helpful with the arrangements for my trip to Thailand. Prompt and detailed responses to all of my questions. This is my second volunteering trip with Oyster and I would highly recommend them.

Unfortunately we were unable to participate in the project that we had booked due to it being suspended (not Oyster’s fault), but Georgie was fantastic. She communicated regularly and provided alternative possibilities for us.
The MyOyster portal is easy to use and the layout is really helpful. There are lots of useful pages, such as a packing checklist, vaccination recommendations, helpful tips about the country, and lots more.
I would definitely book again with Oyster in future.

Very helpful, courteous, quick and friendly at all times!

I had a great experience in Romania! This was my first time travelling abroad alone, and I found that the ‘My Oyster’ portal helped to prepare me very well. Razvan was very welcoming and helpful, and I felt well looked after. Our driver (Ovidiu) was great company when travelling to and from the bear sanctuary each day. It was lovely to see all the bears and other animals at the sanctuary. Brasov was a beautiful place to explore. Overall, I’d like to say a big thank you to Oyster Worldwide and the Bear Sanctuary for an amazing and well organised trip