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Sophie Davidson
The Real Tanzania and Zanzibar Gap Experience
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What was your motivation to take a gap break?
I felt I really wanted to make the most of my final summer before starting University and was unable to take a full gap year. I wanted to take a chance on doing something completely different, new and exciting and this felt like the perfect opportunity.
How did you feel before you joined the programme?
I was very excited but also quite nervous at the same time. It all felt quite surreal, as if it was never really going to happen, but it did! |
How did Real Gap assist you? How did they compare with your expectations?
I chose Real Gap because of their good reputation, and from the moment I began even just enquiring about different possible programmes, they were nothing but helpful, reassuring and patient with my continuously ongoing questions!
My parents were particularly anxious, so it was good to have a company who were able to give us plenty of information throughout the entire process. |
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What was the accommodation like?
The accommodation was incredible, especially at the Camp in Tanzania itself. While we had been expecting to ‘rough it' a little, the tents were huge, very comfortable, always clean thanks to the wonderful woman named Mama Anna on camp, and with comfy beds. We even had bedside tables! The hotels that we stayed in Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar were always comfortable, especially the overnight stop in Stone Town.
What did you think of the programme?
The trip was well planned, fun and always safe - it was so reassuring that there was always help on hand if ever we needed it. |
It seemed to balance a good combination of rewarding volunteer work with a few ‘must do' experiences such as safari, as well as the more relaxing and party time at the end of the trip.
What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
There were so many! For me though it's a split between either first going on safari, and spotting a huge alpha male lion eating some newly caught prey with his cubs sitting and watching nearby (incredible), or when we went snorkelling in Zanzibar…diving down to swim around tropical fish in a perfect clear blue ocean with the sun shining down...it was such an amazing feeling - bliss! |
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Did your programme and destination meet your expectations? Any anecdotes?
The trip was everything I hoped for and more. It was incredible getting to watch the real difference you were making at the Primary School, and the kids were adorable. A word of warning though…while painting the new classroom's blackboard, me and two of the other volunteers - Gemma and Rachel - ended up, somehow, having a ‘paint fight' (it was completely them who started it I would like to add)…it was fun at the time, but not so fun after an hour and a half of scrubbing at our skin with Terpentine! Lesson learnt! |
What do you feel you accomplished during your programme?
Witnessing the real difference that we made at the primary school was incredible, we never thought that we would have the opportunity to do so much. It was a real sense of achievement, and it was great to see that our efforts were completely worth it.
How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed? The whole experience was so eye opening to live in such a different culture, and I feel less naïve of the world than I did before. It has given me the taste for travelling and I can't wait to go on another adventure! I also met some incredible people there, and have definitely made some friends for life. |
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What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
Just go! There are such amazing things to see and do over there; I would recommend it to anyone.
Take a camera with a big memory card (you will take so many photos), lots of anti-mosquito spray (although they aren't too bad there), a basic Swahili language book and if you take anything for the children at the school, I guarantee they will fall in love with you.
Don't take your eyes off the baboons on safari for a second...they stole our sandwiches!! |
If you have any hesitations, ask Real Gap - I know they helped me with so many of my questions. It is such an incredible experience, one that I never wanted to leave!
 Further information on The Real Tanzania and Zanzibar Gap Experience
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