South Africa

Travel South Africa on your gap year. Ideas for gap year travel to South Africa.

South Africa gap year - Gap year programmes in South Africa

If you want to visit Africa on your gap year then South Africa is an ideal destination in many respects. There are excellent flight links to South Africa and it's a particularly straightforward country to fit in to a round the world itinerary. South Africa is also one of the easiest and most comfortable African countries in which to travel. There is an excellent infrastructure within South Africa - internal flights within South Africa are inexpensive and plentiful, and there is also a well-maintained road network coupled with a first-rate public transport system. Accommodation in South Africa is similarly impressive. There are numerous well-run backpacker hostels in South Africa, as well as plenty of excellent guesthouses and hotels.

South Africa is an incredibly diverse and extremely beautiful country. South Africa is roughly the size of Spain and France combined and offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa as well as mile upon mile of stunning tropical coastline. South Africa is also home to some of our most rewarding volunteer projects. Whether you want to get involved with African wildlife conservation or help out on community volunteer project, Real Gap operates several really worthwhile projects in South Africa.         

If you want to get much more closely involved with wildlife conservation during your time in South Africa, Real Gap has several excellent volunteer projects. For example you could consider Real Gap's ‘Wildlife Rehabilitation South Africa' programme. Volunteers on this project provide ‘hands on' assistance at a South Africa wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary. This varied and vital wildlife conservation project involves caring for sick and injured animals and helping to rehabilitate orphaned baby animals. Volunteers have the opportunity to experience animal rescues and witness veterinary procedures when they occur. More practical day-to-day tasks might include building enclosures, feeding animals or fixing game fences. Volunteers on this programme make a real difference to the lives of endangered animals in South Africa. 

Cape Town, on South Africa's southwest coast, is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cape Town is set against the stunning backdrop of South Africa's famous Table Mountain. The idyllic landscape in this part of South Africa is also home to many of the vineyards that produce South Africa's world-renowned wine as well as some superb beaches. Cape Town is one of most South Africa's most cosmopolitan cities and has some of the country's best nightlife. One of the first things on your itinerary once you have arrived in Cape Town should be to climb Table Mountain. There are over 100 different routes up to the 1086 metre high summit, but most people choose to take the revolving cable car which reaches the top in a matter of minutes. The views from the top of Table Mountain are some of the finest in South Africa and it's a great way to get your bearings. The mountain is also part of a nature reserve and there are some excellent walks along clearly marked wooden paths which help protect the unique plant life from any damage.

Cape Town is also the setting for several of Real Gap's most rewarding people-based volunteer projects. For example Real Gap's ‘South Africa Cape Town Volunteer' programme provides much-needed support to some of the most deprived communities in this part of South Africa. This project in South Africa is also different from many of Real Gap's other programmes in that volunteers get to stay with local families, and thus experience South Africa's culture from a very different perspective. Placements range from work as varied as helping out in one of South Africa's childrens' hospitals to helping to build houses in some of South Africa's most deprived neighbourhoods.

South Africa is the setting for some of Real Gap's most rewarding and varied volunteer projects. Consider taking a gap year to South Africa for culture, adventure and worthwhile volunteer work.

South Africa gap year - Gap year programmes in South Africa


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