Gap Year Programs in Kruger Park,South Africa

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

Come take part in exciting research taking place at this game reserve in South Africa, aimed at understanding the reproductive, territorial, hunting, and social behaviors of the lions and leopard populations. This game reserve aims to provide a safe and natural environment for lions and leopards, among other numerous endangered species. You will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with researchers to assist them in data collection and observations of the animals. Your daily duties will include field work in the bush collating and collecting data on lions and leopards, night drives to monitor the movements of the predators, finding and removing snares, removing alien plants and more.

A Raleigh South Africa Expedition is your chance for Adventure. In the stunning Kruger region, you have the chance to take action on some of the world's most pertinent issues through immersive Community projects, and impactful Environmental work. Through our life-changing Adventure Leadership Trek you will develop skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Greater Kruger area is located between Mozambique, Eswatini, and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart, not to mention boasting year-round sunshine. It is a wildlife haven with natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. You'll most likely spot plenty of wildlife while you're on our environmental project and trek. You'll be with experienced guides if you're in areas with any of the big 5. Whether you are taking a gap year or want to do something meaningful in your summer, join young volunteers from across the world and a community of thousands of Raleigh Alumni.

The African bush is full of unforgettable moments — a lion stretching at sunrise, elephants cooling off at the river, or the quiet stillness before a storm. This Wildlife Photography Volunteering program in South Africa with African Impact gives you the chance to capture these moments while also contributing to important conservation work in the Greater Kruger Area. Over a minimum stay of 4 weeks, you’ll sharpen your camera skills, live in the wild, and play a role in protecting endangered species. With the guidance of a professional photographer, you’ll learn not just how to take powerful images, but how to use your photography to make a real difference. Your work will support research and conservation by helping to identify individual animals, raise awareness, and document efforts on the ground. Beyond the lens, you’ll also get involved in hands-on conservation tasks that protect this unique ecosystem. This project is designed for those who want to combine creativity with impact, leaving with a portfolio of images and the knowledge that their work contributed to something lasting.

Unsure about your academic or professional future? Take a breather by joining the 7 or 10-week Community and Conservation Gap Year in South Africa. This is a journey of personal development and self-discovery as well as immersion in a new culture and environment. The full program is 10 weeks long and includes 3 modules (per year): Module 1. Community project Module 2. The Great Trek – an ultimate 19-day group hiking adventure (not to be missed!) Module 3. Environmental project in the Greater Kruger Area Each module has set learning objectives aimed at boosting your confidence, adaptability, and independence in a supportive team setting. The order of the modules may change. The 7-week program consists of 2 of the 3 modules (you can choose which 2). You don’t require specific qualifications to participate in this gap year program. You just need a sense of adventure and enthusiasm. You must also have a flexible attitude and the willingness to embrace the challenges of a new country.

Are you looking for an epic adventure that will change your life forever? Then look no further! This Ultimate Gap Year Experience is unique; you will be transported to four different projects across southern Africa, working on the front lines of conservation and connecting with local and expert professionals who are just as passionate about conservation work as you are. One day, you could be releasing pangolins rescued from poachers back into the wild, and then learning bush skills from a master tracker and tracking a herd of elephants the next. You will be part of the conservation community, listening to stories of the land from the locals. Completely immersed, you will see what it’s like to live and breathe meaningful African conservation. It’s not always easy to nurse injured animals back to health, but the reintroduction, monitoring, and seeing them thrive afterward is a memory that will last a lifetime. This is a hands-on experience where your efforts will be rewarded—many of these wildlife projects wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you. This program is also tailored to how much time you have, your skills, and what you would like to achieve.

Volunteer as a Wildlife Caretaker at a sanctuary that provides lifelong refuge to rescued indigenous and exotic wild cats, as well as a variety of other animals. This hands-on program offers a unique opportunity to care for animals that can’t return to the wild due to past trauma or captivity. Get to know the animals' unique personalities and stories while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to their wellbeing. As a volunteer, you’ll gain access to restricted areas where some animals—typically off-limits to the public—live in peace and safety. You’ll help care for: ● Big cats like lions, leopards, tigers, cheetahs, and pumas ● Smaller wild cats including servals, caracals, bobcats, ocelots, and more ● Birds such as owls, hawks, vultures, cranes, and emus ● Other species like baboons, wolves, ferrets, honey badgers, crocodiles, meerkats, and monkeys This experience is both rewarding and impactful, offering a deeper understanding of animal care and wildlife conservation. Visit our website and get involved!

Make memories that last a lifetime in this unique 10-week gap program in South Africa, offered exclusively to young adults who want to take a break after their studies. Through adventure and skills training, as well as multiple interactive excursions, we focus on helping you discover your passion and regain perspective on what life is truly about. EVOLVE prides itself in the fact that we offer a comprehensive program with multiple excursions and a wide variety of training opportunities to a small group (between 10 and 15 participants) for a fraction of the price. This is made possible due to networking with local and international service providers. Visit the world-renowned Kruger National Park, encounter endangered species, swim in the warm Indian Ocean, go on game drives, go horseback riding in the African bush veld, and do so much more! Learn the art of a barista, make a short film with your newfound friends, learn to cook and do other household chores, work on vehicle maintenance and target shooting, learn the basics of financial management, and develop communication skills, to name but a few of the fun yet practical activities throughout the program.

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.