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

Featured Provider of the Month

Discover who you are on the ultimate gap adventure! Sail the world!

with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

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The Real Uganda

9.75

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 ag

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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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International Medical Aid (IMA)

9.89

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. Un

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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.

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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 Volu

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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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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

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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 w

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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.

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!