Wilderness Gap Year Programs

Spanish classes were good I’m definitely improving which is spectacular. The volunteering was really cool for turtle conservation - not much sleep but a whole lot of turtles. Haven’t finished program but am looking forward to Manuel Antonio.

Spent a month volunteering with the turtles in ostional. Such an incredible experience to see the arribada and all of the turtles in the night. Beach and sunsets were so beautiful and I met so many amazing cool people!

I was in Quepos for 6 weeks did Spanish classes, surf classes and two volunteer projects (working with kids and teaching english). I made a lot of new friends, got more independent and experienced an amazing country like a local.

This was the teip of a lifetime.The other people in my group were from all over the world, yet we bonded almost imeadiately. Even though the activities, treks and itinerary were all fantastic, the 7 weeks was made unforgetable by the people. Collin, the group leader, was also extremely kind, funny and energetic the whole trip. He gave the group support whilst giving us the freedom to tailor the trip to our preferences, spend time alone or do other activities which we all really apreciated. This trip not only keeps you very engaged with the nature and culture of South America but also physically active aswell. You will be challenged mentally and physically at some point of the trip in the best way possible. I would highly recomend for any gap year students looking to get out of their comfort zones and meet new people. I am truly bonded for life with my group and will never forget the time we shared together.

I did a 8 month long gap year in Peru with Maximo Nivel doing various voluntary works. Each one of them was truly amazing, organized by great people and unbelievable hospitality. Special shoutout goes to Fanny, my homestay for all of my time here. She really made us part of her family and shared the Peruvian culture to us. The working staff at the Maximo Office are also super supportive and trying to max your experience the country (shoutout to Lucas!). I would recommend this organization to anyone.

My time abroad was truly a fantastic experience that I will always remember. I had the opportunity to stay and work at an alpaca farm, which was something completely new and exciting for me. During my stay, I learned a lot about this unique animal species—their behavior, how they are cared for, and their importance to the farm. One of the most special parts of my experience was living with a host family who were incredibly welcoming and kind. They made me feel at home from the very beginning, and I am very grateful for their warmth and hospitality. Through this experience, I also gained a deeper understanding of the local culture, which made my time abroad even more meaningful. It was not only about the work, but also about connecting with people and learning new perspectives. Overall, it was an unforgettable journey, and I can definitely imagine going back again in the future. If you have the chance, I really recommend to work abroad on a farm!

While on my Dragons program, I learned not only about the world around me and new places and people, but I also gained confidence in myself. My program had a focus on cultural immersion and understanding how Morocco and Spain are connected. This was very interesting to learn about, and we did this via language lessons, homestays, and meeting local people. Overall, I realized that the world is much more interconnected than I thought, and I have been inspired to continue traveling and to immerse myself in different cultures intentionally. Luckily, I have also found a global community that is like-minded through Where There Be Dragons, and I feel that after my program, I have a whole new world of opportunities available to me.

I have lived in Cusco, Peru, for the past 4 months while participating in the Gap Year program with Maximo Nivel. I have already had so many amazing experiences in my time here. I worked at a local zoo for my first month, which gave me exposure to some of the coolest animals in South America, up close. I worked at a travel agency, where I appeared in Instagram videos promoting travel packages and was driven to the coolest travel spots in and around Cusco while doing so. Now, I am working at a specialty coffee cafe, where I am learning a lot and gaining incredibly valuable experience in Social Media, Marketing, and Logistics. With the advice and help of Maximo Nivel, I have explored the most amazing locations in the greater Cusco area. My host family has been incredibly kind and welcoming; it really feels like a new family away from home. The other volunteers in the program are always very nice and super interesting. Cusco itself is beautiful and very fun with an active nightlife. I can't wait to see what the rest of my time holds for me here as I cross my halfway mark. Travel with Maximo Nivel!

Everything is part of the experience. Learning how to go with the flow is an essential part of staying here. I’ve made so many new friends, locally and from around the world. The workers are fantastic and super accommodating, as long as you’re reachable and communicating. I’ve enjoyed working with kids and every new day brings about something new to learn. I love my Spanish classes and we’ve been correcting things I learned in school and building off of it. I’m really excited for the rest of my time here. ¡Pura vida!

Quest was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and yet the most fulfilling, grounding and amazing one. The activities and practical skills and experiences were vast and interesting and exciting and very useful for the future. But Quest was so much more than just a whirlwind of good times. It taught me strength and courage and how sometimes life can be so much harder than expected, but I am always capable of getting through it. Quest showed me grit and determination and success. And that success doesn’t mean a place I get to but a way of living. Living everyday in discipline and steps, in focus and contentment. The development I saw in myself and the Questors around me, I know we will forever have that as our core base to stand on. I still daily thing about what Quest taught me and how I could be making my next moves. I absolutely loved it, the awesome parts and the tough ones, each teaching me a different lesson. I absolutely would recommend Quest in a heartbeat, to anyone who is ready to step into the world and find and form the best version of themselves. It was so incredibly fun and fulfilling! Very grateful and blessed to partake in Quest for my gap year. If you’re still weighing it up, DO IT!! You’ll thank yourself later for making that first step out of your comfort zone. Thank you Quest Africa ❤️‍🔥

Had an absolute blast! Partaking in Quests Gap year program absolutely changed my life and allowed me opportunities I would never have experienced otherwise! I am forever thankful to the staff and fellow questors for an unforgettable experience

When it comes to Quest Africa, I still struggle to find words big enough for what it is. It’s a place that feels almost unreal - tucked deep in the African bush, miles away from noise, and comfort. From the moment you arrive, they pull you into an adventure like no other. I’ve personally been scuba diving through caves, hunting in thick bush, building and painting, and sweating for this place in ways I didn’t even know I could. It’s the kind of environment that demands your full presence. You don’t just visit Quest - you earn your time there, and it changes you. When I think back on my time at Quest, one lesson stands above everything else: growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It happens when you put yourself in situations that are hard, unfamiliar, and sometimes miserable in the moment. Like orientation week, when you’ve just finished building a shelter and the rain starts pouring, and all you can do is huddle together for warmth. Or when you’ve been hiking for three days straight and suddenly you’re told to run a 21km. Those experiences are pure “type 2 enjoyment” - in the moment it feels like hell, but later you look back with gratitude, because it made you tougher, taught you what you’re capable of, and showed you how much more you have in the tank than you think. But what makes it truly special is that you don’t go through any of it alone. Quest forges real relationships because everyone around you is carrying the same weight, facing the same stress, and pushing through the same doubt. There’s something powerful about suffering and succeeding side by side. It builds trust quickly, strips away the fake stuff, and leaves you with friendships that are real -the kind that last a lifetime. Quest Africa is magic not because it’s easy or pretty (even though it can be both), but because it forces you to grow, and it gives you people to grow with.

You can choose to either sit back and let the experience pass you by or take a chance, dive head first and watch yourself be transformed, sometimes in ways you don’t expect. Expect the unexpected I suppose! I arrived on day one with little self confidence and very much in my own shell. By the end, the program had stretched, challenged and drawn me out of myself. I had achieved so much in the short time I was there with the biggest transformation being my self confidence - I suddenly had some… Wholeheartedly recommend Quest to anyone willing to discover their potential!

There aren’t many experiences like Quest that I think about every single week. Not just the irreplaceable skills and learning but the unforgettable memories as well. What I gained from my experience set me up for success in university and now the life that I am living after too.

Everything at Quest taught us to be ready for the unexpected. You don't receive any warnings, timelines for preparation. The first term of the program was the most gruelling but yet the best part of my experience. We learned how to be independent, to work together as a team. We learned to push instead of pull. My personal lesson from this amazing experience: Never give up on yoursel, for the battle is yours to win . Quest made me think on my feet, and make my plans on the move. At the end of each challenge, we reaped the reward of our hard work.

Quest Africa was my dream gap year. I did it as a break from uni and it was a real boost of confidence and sent me back to normal life at the end feeling strong, confident and ready to tackle life. My favourite aspects were the physical acumen which really challenged you and pushed you to the limit, the personal reflection of journaling, reading and improving oneself and the final project at the end of high you get to choose and is a culmination of your skills. That’s just a couple things. I’ve made lifelong friends from around the world, seen a lot of Zimbabwe and even Mozambique and yeah just had the best time. If I could do it again I would 100% recommend if you are willing to challenge yourself and be pushed to your limits to come out as a better version of yourself.

Quest Africa Zimbabwe pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow into a stronger, more confident man. The challenges, the brotherhood, and the incredible setting made it unforgettable. Embrace it fully, your future self will thank you.

This program is perfect for someone that loves and appreciates the outdoors and is very active. I had an amazing experience and made some unforgettable memories. I also made amazing new friendship with the other people on the program.

Pacific Discovery was an amazing experience! I formed amazing friendships and did countless bucket list activities. This program allowed me to grow as a person and push past my comfort zone. You won’t regret signing up for one of their trips.

Pacific Discovery truly was an amazing program of self discovery and adventure. I could not have asked for a better experience with the lasting connections and memories I have made through my program.