Gap Year in Africa

Elephants, Africa

So you want to see Africa and all the wonderful things the continent has to offer? Start planning an incredible trip to Africa today!

Top Rated Opportunities

Global Work & Travel Volunteer Africa
G Adventures

Best Places to Visit on a Gap Year in Africa

Africa is a huge continent with over 50 countries, these are the most popular places to go: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Africa Gap Year Ideas

Hunker down in the forests of Uganda with the Silverbacks, help track Namibia’s desert elephants or soak up the watery world of The Seychelles. For more humbling scenarios mingle with the Maasai people, the communities of Mozambique and spread the literacy word to many of Malawi’s underprivileged youth.

Africa is diverse, mesmerising and fascinating. There are also endless activities and destinations. These are some of the recommended things to do on a gap year to Africa.

Volunteering
Is there anything more rewarding than being a volunteer in Africa? We can’t think of many things. There are so many rewarding projects where you can make a real difference.

Work, Teaching and Internships
Lots of international organisations help foreign students to find internships and programs throughout Africa. Students can join placements in a wide range of companies.

Tours
Go overlanding and experience this beautiful continent in an affordable (and fun) way. But, what is it, exactly, and how does it differ from a regular safari? Every year hundreds of overland trucks cross Africa between Egypt and South Africa (or vice versa), usually via Kenya on what has become one of the most popular and well established overland routes in the world. Overland trucks are large, modified vehicles that seat 20 – 30 travellers and carry all the equipment necessary for camping and cooking on a trip that can last from one to eight weeks. By using these vehicles, which are capable of travelling long distances and by camping, costs are considerably cheaper than a luxury safari that utilises flights and luxury lodges.

Safaris
The wildlife experiences you will have in Africa is unmatched. Then there is the added excitement of sleeping under the African sky with the far off roar of the lion. The beauty is that you can share all these travelling experiences with like-minded travellers, many of whom will leave as friends. Camping under the stars, cooking and washing up together, hiking, diving, abseiling, white-water rafting and sharing the odd cold beer or ten – it may not be a luxury holiday, but it’s undoubtedly a lot of fun.

“Africa will change you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same.” – Brian Jackman