Covid safe travel experiences which combine adventure with planet protecting projects abroad.
Good news Gappers, we have found ways to navigate the new world and are sending gap year students, safely and responsibly to Costa Rica, Kenya and Namibia either on a Leap team program or through Leap VIP, our travel resource to help the independent traveller.
So dust down your backpack, you're not trapped at home.
Travel with a team of leapers to experience a dynamic volunteering and adventure program.
Seeking travel advice to support my independent plans.
Struggling to help the gapper with their travel plans through covid? We can help.
We are all about finding solutions
Together with my team at The Leap we have been advising and organising gap years for nearly 20 years. Navigating this pandemic has been a unique challenge for us all. For parents, maybe you are tearing your hair out, sick of cooking endless meals and are now looking down a rabbit hole of “now what” for your gap year kids who are bored stiff at home and in all honestly losing their belief that anything good is going to happen for them as yet another thing gets cancelled. (I’m so on this page).
As a gapper you are probably sick of being at home, bored of your play station and lost in the search for “what can I do” as we know the FCDO advice is totally confusing, the travel rules are ever-changing and the access to corona proof insurance is, quite frankly a minefield.
So, with my mother and gap year hats combined we have beavered away through the last 6 months to find you safe and responsible travel solutions to make sure your gap year is a success. And solutions we have found...
Firstly we have nailed the insurance issue which caught so many people out back in March, Corona is now included in our policy. This has opened up the world for you and allows you to now travel if borders are open. Coupled with our risk assessments, backpacks are being packed and gappers are now heading off to Costa Rica, Kenya and Namibia either through our original Leap programs or independently through our travel advice Leap VIP resource.
Indeed, we can now help both types of gap year student - the team traveller and the independent hostel hopper so things are looking good.
Get in touch we are here to help.
Milly Whitehead
Co-founder
You can still travel knowing that your safety is being taken care of. All our travel programs are supported by great project leaders who are on duty 24/7, guiding and supporting the logistics and team dynamics.
So you can travel responsibly and safely
The was important pre-covid but now our message has come into its own. Never have we been so busy, especially as we have found safe and responsible solutions to navigate the new rules. But the message is simple don't dilly dally - we're getting pretty full on our gap year programs as word has got out...
For those who seek a dynamic and responsible travel experience we have crafted programs which combine country highlights with a mix of 'off-the-beaten-track' projects and adventures. Best of both worlds springs to mind.
Travel today involves a whole lot of admin and airports are ruthless. We will lead you through the detail so you can clear customs confidently.
Travel as part of a team of like-minded volunteers providing a guaranteed social scene and great campfire moments.
These four leap gap year programs are open and ready for take off. Costa Rica Scuba is also on the list.
" Madagascar leap program SUPERB"
Experience of a lifetime, met people I would never have met and now consider them as my closest friends, gave me a more humble and appreciative view of life and provided me with memories that I can never replace and will never forget.
Highly RECOMMEND!!! (Make sure u like rice and beans and chickens in your room).
"What an amazing time "
After just arriving back from our boat trip i wanted to mention what an amazing time we experienced during outreach and the dedication and support of the leaders was more than any of us could have asked for. We really couldn’t have asked for a better itinerary and we are so grateful for the unwavering enthusiasm and encouragment from both Will and Renne our leaders. The food was incredible and the leaders were always willing to make sure all our needs were met, we genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better time."I highly recommend first time travellers to use the Leap"
The trip to Madagascar is incredible as you get to experience such a diverse, beautiful island. The locals are super friendly and life on camp is great as you start to feel like a family. As the leap is one of three volunteering schemes on the same camp it’s easy to make lots of friends. Scuba diving was the most amazing experience.
Teaching was very very rewarding and made it easier to make friends with the local community. As I was ill whilst out there I can honestly say that The Leap was definitely worth the price as I was cared for very well and had someone come to hospital with me and translate everything as well as being very kind and caring. Overall, Madagascar was an amazing trip and I will definitely go back.
"Madagascar was a dream"
The country is absolutely stunning and the people are so friendly. The marine and forest conservation aspects were fantastic and I learnt so much from the amazing diversity of nature out there. Teaching however, even though I thought it would be my least favourite aspect of the trip, was so inspiring and just so much fun.
When you're trying to teach a class of 60 the body parts using 'head shoulders knees and toes' it can get rather manic, but seeing the kids grasp it and ask for more when the bell rings (not running from class like we do back here) really makes you feel like you're making a difference! Wouldn't chance the experience for anything!
"I would highly recommend this trip."
This trip has left me with a group of life long friends from around the world, experiences that have plus will affect me forever, and skills to help me through life.
Everyday was a new adventure, from building hatcheries for turtle eggs to teaching English at a local school to playing volleyball with the Costa Rican Cost Guard to hearing stories from past poachers to watching a turtle lay eggs to have a sing-a-long with the group.
