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Gap Year Programs in Uganda

Uganda is known for its diverse landscape with a wide mix of natural beauty—from lush, green valleys, to dense, tropical rainforests. You can visit gorilla sanctuaries on snow-capped volcanic mountains, or take in the sunset on the white sand beaches of Lake Victoria; but there’s much more to be found in “The Pearl of Africa” than the countryside. With museums, palaces, mosques, cathedrals, and plenty of culture, along with opportunities to work with education and community service projects, and an official language of English, it’s no wonder gap year programs in Uganda are in high demand!
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11 Gap Year Programs in Uganda

Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

The Real Uganda

9.75

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Community Development & Volunteering in Uganda

Ever thought of traveling to Uganda? It’s a peaceful, vibrant country known for its breathtaking landscapes and warm, welcoming people. Ugandans are famous for their hospitality and love collaborating with international volunteers. Our volunteers are resourceful and community-driven self-starters aged 18-65 working year-round in integrated community development programs, supporting schools, organic farms, health centers, and women's groups. All placements begin on the 1st and 15th of every month, lasting 2 to 12 weeks. Volunteers bring encouragement, creativity, and compassion to our communities through various impactful activities: -Organizing arts, crafts, and sports in primary schools -Supporting meal preparations, daily chores, and child care at boarding schools -Mentoring and training underprivileged aspiring athletes -Clearing land and planting food crops and trees -Assisting in pharmacies and laboratories at rural clinics -Mentoring young mothers in child care, nutrition, breastfeeding, and family planning -Assisting in maternity hospitals -Helping rural communities develop small business skills Visit our website for more information and apply today to make a difference!

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.68

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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.

International Medical Aid (IMA)

9.94

17

Dentistry/Pre-Dentistry Shadowing & Clinical Experience

Global dental healthcare with International Medical Aid's (IMA) Dental Internships for pre-dental undergraduates, dental students, dentists, and dental hygienists, offers an extraordinary chance to work in some of the world's most underserved regions—East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Under the mentorship of professionals, interns delve into the complexities of dental care, from public health education to community hygiene clinics, addressing dire needs where dental services are scarce. IMA, founded at Johns Hopkins University, is a not-for-profit dedicated to not just providing care but enhancing the communities we serve. We forge ethical, sustainable initiatives focused on preventing disease at its source, going beyond the conventional internship. With comprehensive support, local guidance, extensive safety training, and structured housing, interns enjoy a secure environment to grow and learn. Our program includes everything from AADSAS statement reviews to personalized admissions counseling, aiding your journey to dental school. Experience an internship and become a part of a global movement towards better dental health with IMA.

ARCC Programs

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ARCC Gap: East Africa - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania

The East Africa gap year program explores the majesty, cultures, and challenges of three East African nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. You will have unparalleled access to the region’s fascinating aspects, helping you gain unique insights and make authentic connections with community members. With a balance of work projects, adventure, immersion, and exploration, this 70-day program provides countless opportunities to learn about, support, and contribute to locally run, sustainable initiatives. In Uganda, you will collaborate with rangers and biologists to reintroduce and build a sustainable population of rhinos, which are facing extinction since 1982. In Kenya, you will shadow students at the country's first free all-female secondary school and learn to build and install solar power systems in Masai communities. Explore Masai Mara National Park to search for the “Big Five” – water buffalo, lion, rhino, elephant, and leopard – as well as to see some of Africa’s majestic wildlife. In Tanzania, you will explore the challenges and triumphs of a rural health clinic and vocational center.

Love Volunteers

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Gap Year Adventures with Love Volunteers

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

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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Oyster Worldwide

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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 programs and projects across 6 continents are open all year. Sign up for a program within a field that matches your skills and interests - animal welfare, child care, veterinary, medicine, conservation, etc. Go on a trekking holiday or volunteer on a project you are passionate about. No matter what you do, where you go and how long you stay, we guarantee amazing experiences you will treasure for a lifetime. UK-based Oyster Worldwide has been sending young people to take part in gap year experiences for more than 17 years. We offer over 60 volunteer and paid programs in over 20 countries around the world. We have been working with many host countries for years and have great relationships with them. Our aim is to provide happy, safe and fulfilling experiences, as well as to help participants to return home with a long-term affection for the country they have visited.

Africa & Asia Venture

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Gap Year Volunteering Program in Africa and Asia

Make a lasting difference using your talents, skills, and passion. Join us in this gap year volunteering program in destinations like Kenya, Malawi, India, Nepal, and Thailand. This is the perfect opportunity to become a global citizen while immersing yourself in diverse cultures. At Africa & Asia Venture (AV), we consider your skills and knowledge to put these to good use in our programs in the following areas: - Art, Drama, Music, and Dance - Community Work - Sports Coaching - Teaching Stay for as short as 5 weeks or as long as 12 weeks. You can also participate in the 16-week gap year program, which comprises 12 weeks of volunteering and 4 weeks of independent travel. If you have an alternative duration, don’t hesitate to let us know and we’ll work with you to create a tailored itinerary. Your gap year doesn’t necessarily mean a “year” out. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your preferences.

Living Music Foundation

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Make Your Gap Year Count, Teaching Music in Uganda!

Take a break from school, fire up your musical passion, and teach music lessons to underprivileged communities in Uganda. Whether your guitar playing is recreational or you're pursuing a career in music, we want you to volunteer with us. Music is ingrained in daily life here. Rural villages echo with groups making music, singing, and using jerrycans as drums. East Africa is the perfect setting for any musician to explore their art form. Music and performance training are powerful ways to boost self-esteem and confidence. It gives young people a safe, productive hobby that helps keep them off the streets and away from harmful influences. Instead, it promotes connection with positive role models, fun learning, and a skill that’s both enriching and potentially profitable. Unfortunately, music education is often out of reach here. Lessons are considered a luxury, and low-income families simply cannot afford them. With our program, you’ll teach music lessons and lead community activities. Volunteers love their time here—gaining valuable life and CV experience while making a real, lasting impact.

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A Guide to Gap Year in Uganda

Popular Locations

With so much green space, it could be tempting to spend your entire gap year in Uganda going on photo safaris, nature treks, and culture tours—but you’ll definitely want to interact with the people, spend time in the capital city, and get some first-hand experience with areas that support the growing economy. So where should you start?

Kampala. The capital city of Kampala is located roughly 30 miles from the largest airport in Uganda. Ranked among the best places to live in East Africa, Kampala was once a hunting preserve that developed into a city center built between seven hills. Kampala offers the most diverse population of Ugandans with more tribal languages spoken than any other location in the country. Known for its museum, theater, dance troupe, and nightlife, you’ll find everything from open bartering markets to casinos here—but one of the more recent developments you won’t want to miss includes the newly created spaces and structures dedicated to urban agriculture.

Uganda’s National Parks. Rather than visiting a single park, you’ll definitely want to map out opportunities to get to several of the more famous parks and conservation areas in Uganda (or consider basing your gap year in Uganda somewhere nearby, like the Kisoro District!). Not only will your modest entrance fees support the protection of the native wildlife, but the Ugandan people, too. The country relies heavily on tourist dollars being spent on visits to places like Murchison Falls National Park—which boasts waterfalls in the winding Nile River along with water birds, lions and buffalo—or Queen Elizabeth National Park, with its volcanic craters, hippopotamus, lions, elephants, and chimpanzees. The parks and conservation efforts are governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and if you’re on a gap year in Uganda, you can qualify for special rates for activities like gorilla tracking, or hiking in the park camps and national forests.

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

My project in Namibia

August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United KingdomProgram: Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide
9

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!!

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