Gap Year Programs in Namibia

The word Namibia means “area where there is nothing,” but this African country defies its name in every sense. Located on Africa’s southwestern coast, the country boasts natural extremes, featuring the oldest desert, tallest sand dunes, and most iconic grass plains on the continent. It is the perfect place for first-time travelers to Africa. Spend a gap year off the beaten path, studying African tradition, getting involved in environmental conservation, or embracing your wild side. Every adventure awaits you during gap year programs in Namibia!

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15 Gap Year Programs in Namibia

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

10

World’s #1 Namibia Volunteer Abroad Programs

Join a Wildlife Conservation program based at a sanctuary in the country’s central highlands, supporting the care and protection of injured, orphaned, or conflict-affected wildlife. You will help prepare and deliver food, assist with feeding routines, care for juveniles, clean enclosures, maintain h

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.63

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 med

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Volunteer World

8.76

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 g

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Luderitz Blue School

9.33

Teach at a Cambridge IGCSE School in Luderitz, Namibia

Looking for a teaching internship abroad with real classroom responsibility — not just observation? At Lüderitz Blue School, Southern Namibia's only international Cambridge IGCSE school, you'll teach or tutor motivated students in a small, close-knit environment where your subject expertise genuinel

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Oyster Worldwide

9

Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our

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African Horse Safaris

10

Natural Horsemanship in Namibia

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Namibia, surrounded by stunning Appaloosa horses. Enhance your natural horsemanship skills whilst assisting with looking after over 40 stud horses, miniature ponies, alpacas, and rehabilitated equine rescues. This programme is designed to develop your communication

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A Guide to Gap Year in Namibia

Popular Locations

Located along the Atlantic Ocean, Namibia features stunning landscapes of every kind, from the sandy dunes of Sossusvlei to the grassy plains of Kalahari, and from coastal cities to the Naukluft Mountains. Gap year travelers will also find that there is an ever-present German influence found in all of the big cities, creating a colonial vibe mixed with traditional Africa.

Windhoek is Namibia’s capital city. Some say the city is too Western; after all, it is a modern, well-groomed metropolis with busy roads, a city skyline, and German castles (what?!). While it may not feel like iconic Africa, it is the perfect place to start or end your gap year in Namibia. Fly into Windhoek to ease into the African lifestyle, or take a break from the wild to get a taste of urban African buzz.

Swakopmund is Namibia’s adventure capital. This seaside city still features German influence, architecture, and Gemütlichkeit (German hospitality), but it is also the best launching pad for wild African explorations. Make Swakopmund your home base, while you venture outside the city limits to discover the Skeleton Coast or the Namib Desert that gave the country its name. Visit the famous Moon Landscape, or chill out in town for a coastal holiday.

Luderitz, located between the barren Namib Desert and the sunny south Atlantic coast, is one of the most bizarre places in Africa. The city is surreally German, radiating the culture through its art, architecture, Bavarian villages, and German bakeries with the most delicious streuselkuchen (streusel cake) you’ll find in Africa! While at times you may feel like you’re spending a gap year in a time warp, you’ll have plenty of time to see authentic Africa (think safaris at Sperrgebiet National Park!).

Latest Program Reviews

My project in Namibia

August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United Kingdom

Program: Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

I have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!

Amazing experience. Professional and helpful company.

June 30, 2023by: Bailey Crossland - England

Program: Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

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!