Gap Year
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our unique wildlife gap year programs, immersing yourself in breathtaking habitats, learning, discovering, and making a meaningful impact. Whether you’re a school leaver unsure of your future path or a nature enthusiast, step into an exciting world of adventure with our wildlife gap year programme.
Life changing year
Gap years are about growing as a person and experiencing as much as possible in order to help you decide how you are going to spend the next few years of your young life. They are less about chilling out on beaches and enjoying a year-long party, and more about having a life-changing experience before you embark on your career studies.
EcoTraining gives you the choice of completing the 1-year Professional Field Guide course or the 55-day Field Guide course on your gap year experience. The first is for the full gap year experience and you will qualify with an accredited qualification. The latter is for a shorter experience on a multi-destination gap year plan.
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What to expect from a gap year with EcoTraining
Educational and meaningful gap year
EcoTraining offers a unique gap year experience in the form of a 1-year Professional Field Guide course for people either serious about pursuing a career in field guiding or those looking for an educational and meaningful gap year. For one year you will be exposed to diverse ecological and geological terrains, landscapes, wildlife species and so much more at our wilderness camps in remote places in Southern Africa such as the Kruger Park, Karongwe Reserve, Selati Reserve and Mashatu Game Reserve.
Adventure, education and conservation
Even better is that for this year of adventure, environmental education and conservation, you walk away with national accreditation by CATHSSETA, endorsement by the Field Guide Association of southern Africa, and 5 months of work experience at a safari lodge that EcoTraining partners with. You get an internship where you will meet international guests, fellow lodge and guide staff and gain a heap of essential life and work skills.
Shorter 2-month option
The second shorter option for a multi-destination gap year is to join our 55-day Field Guide course which provides the fundamentals on safari guiding, conservation and adventure in nature. Certified and endorsed, it enables one to fully experience and learn what it takes to be a Safari Guide in about two months and offers stimulating variety to your gap year itinerary.
Where the gap year takes place
The gap year is held at one of our EcoTraining Wilderness Camps in Southern Africa.
The benefits of taking your gap year with EcoTraining
A gap year offers an opportunity and alternative to ‘figure things out’ for school leavers not 100% convinced of their career or study plans or direction for their life ahead. With so many career choices available these days, it can indeed be a tough decision to choose one’s career.
During a gap year, whatever they choose to do during this time, school leavers may come across a career opportunity they didn’t consider before and that opens up a whole new world. Or it can purely be seen as a time to take a year off, a breather of sorts, a time of personal growth and development that is valuable to any individual.
Certification & accreditation
EcoTraining is an FGASA-endorsed training provider that is accredited by CATHSSETA. We will assist you by registering you with FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa). FGASA will automatically register you with CATHSSETA.
What you can expect to graduate with
1-year Professional Field Guide course
- EcoTraining Field Guide NQF2 (CATHSSETA) qualification
- FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2
55-day Field Guide course
- EcoTraining Field Guide Certificate of Participation
Our advice about gap years
Give yourself the chance to do something rewarding, try out new things and discover what this world has to offer. It will help you become more mature and confident in having to deal with the demands of the ‘adult’ world. If you apply yourself correctly, you can make a gap year experience work for you for a long time as it shows future employers that you are willing to open yourself up to new experiences.
Whatever one chooses to do during a gap year, the skills gained can be applied to everyday life. Volunteering, for example, gives you the opportunity to help people. The knowledge gained during this time can be used to make a difference in leading your day-to-day life, dealing with people, certain situations and handling yourself under pressure. Having a greater appreciation for life in general is definitely an advantage that will stand you in good stead.
What to pack
We’ve put together a useful packing list for you so you know what you need to bring with you on this course. What kind of clothing, gear, bedding, toiletries and shoes you’ll need to be comfortable and make the most of your time in the African bush.
No need to guess or overpack.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Course dates
02 September 2023 – 06 August 2024
01 October 2023 – 03 September 2024
03 January – 16 December 2024
01 February – 22 December 2024
02 August 2024 – 06 July 2025
02 September 2024 – 07 August 2025
01 October 2024 – 07 September 2025
FAQ about the EcoTraining gap year
Give yourself the chance to do something rewarding, try out new things and discover what this world has to offer. It will help you become more mature and confident in having to deal with the demands of the ‘adult’ world. If you apply yourself correctly, you can make a gap year experience work for you for a long time as it shows future employers that you are willing to open yourself up to new experiences.
A gap year offers an opportunity and alternative to ‘figure things out’ for school leavers not 100% convinced of their career or study plans or direction for their life ahead. With so many career choices available these days, it can indeed be a tough decision to choose one’s career.
During a gap year, whatever they choose to do during this time, school leavers may come across a career opportunity they didn’t consider before and that opens up a whole new world. Or it can purely be seen as a time to take a year off, a breather of sorts, a time of personal growth and development that is valuable to any individual.
Gap years are about growing as a person and experiencing as much as possible in order to help you decide how you are going to spend the next few years of your young life. They are less about chilling out on beaches and enjoying a year-long party, and more about having a life-changing experience before you embark on your career studies.
Have more questions? Check out our general FAQ page or get in touch for more information.
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