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Gap Year Programs in Botswana

There’s a whisper of adventure in the air and you can almost hear the sound of your heart thumping in your chest. You wait... Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you see it: The silhouette of a lone African elephant against the backdrop of a blood-red sky. Botswana—not as well known as neighboring Kenya or South Africa, but every square foot of it bursting with natural beauty. From the Okavango Delta to the Kgalagadi dunes, Botswana overflows with grasslands, wetlands, and sun parched planes, teeming with wildlife. Why take a gap year in Botswana? More like, when are you leaving?
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Featured Provider of the Month

6 Gap Year Programs in Botswana

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

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GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Projects Abroad

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Global Leader In Meaningful Travel. Trusted By 130,000

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Volunteer World

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Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

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Natucate

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Ranger Course in Africa: Become a Field Guide Level 1

Are you ready to embark on your ranger adventure and complete your Apprentice Field Guide training in 55 days? This former Field Guide Level 1 course offers expert guidance from seasoned leaders and covers essential basics of Southern Africa’s flora and fauna. The program emphasizes hands-on training in the wild, preparing you to conserve the African wilderness's beauty. You will master orientation and navigation techniques, including using constellations for positioning, handling a cross-country vehicle, and safely navigating rough terrain. You'll also gain skills in tracking, analyzing animal behavior, and identifying local wildlife and plant species. Experience nights under the stunning starry sky; gather around the campfire with fellow adventure seekers; and create unforgettable memories in the bush.

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A Guide to Gap Year in Botswana

Popular Locations

Just as you don’t go to the desert if you can’t stand the heat, you’re not coming to Botswana for its towering skyscrapers or world famous architecture. The name of the game in this faraway plain is wilderness—and bucketloads of it. So, depending on your goals for your gap year in Botswana, whether you travel, volunteer, or work in a lodge, it will revolve around the great outdoors. 

Maun. Nestled on the banks of the Thamalakane River to the north of the country, Maun is your port of call for trips to the Okavango Delta. Packed with all types of accommodations, gappers looking to work a stint on a lodge would do well to start their search here. You can also get your culture fix at the Nhabe Museum, featuring local art, and stock up on supplies for your unforgettable delta safari.

Serowe. Somewhat off the beaten path in central Botswana, Serowe is home to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Here the animals are bred and looked after before being re-introduced to the wild. If you’re looking to learn about endangered species or volunteer in Botswana, no other destination will bring you so close to these mighty beasts.

Okavango Delta. During the wet season, the arid terrain of the Kalahari Desert is transformed into lush and sprawling grasslands that come to life with natural species. Get up close and personal with crocodiles and hippos on a canoe safari straight through their habitat. Or stay at safe snapping distance on dry land, spotting lions, giraffes, leopards, and buffalo at Moremi Game Reserve. 

Kasane. They say it’s location, location, location, and Kasane certainly boasts an enviable one. At the “Four Corners” of Africa, here Botswana collides with Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Botswana gap years will offer the opportunity to pick up more stamps in your passport and explore the world famous Victoria Falls, or watch for black rhino in Chobe National Park. The mighty Baobab tree here has a trunk so large, it was once used as a human jail! And if you’re into reptiles, there's a pretty cool snake park nearby.

Francistown. If you’re aching for a fix of civilization, and to share a brew with a fellow gapper, head to lively Francistown, Botswana’s oldest city. History buffs will love the Supa Ngwao Museum, which shows the life of the Kalanga people over the ages. There are plenty of open plazas and restaurants in which to try Seswaa, Botswana’s national dish. You can also head to the Domboshaba ruins, north of the town to marvel at centuries-old stone walls and enclosures.

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