2002
Guy & Milly founded The Leap
…on the kitchen table with the assistance of an old green dinosaur Apple Mac. We soon upgraded our technology and moved to the heady heights of our offices in Marlborough.
We deliver travel experiences that you can't create yourself, pushing you beyond the hostel-hopping trend and introducing you to planet protecting programs around the world.
Together with my team at The Leap we have been advising and organising gap years for nearly 20 years and navigating this pandemic has been a unique challenge for us all as our “norms’ were put on ice.
As a potential gapper you are probably thinking should I take a gap year or should I travel straight to uni? With both options currently compromised we feel the dilemma but want to reassure you that we have got gappers travelling through the tightest of lockdowns.
Through The Leap we can now help both types of gap year student - the team traveller and the independent hostel hopper.
Team travellers join our volunteer programs which combine projects and adventures providing you with a dynamic travel experience, led by project co-ordinators who are passionate about what they do and are professionals in their field. They are on hand, to get everything arranged so you can hit the ground running, exploring your new surroundings and contributing from the moment you arrive without having to worry about logistics.
The team element guarantees the camaraderie of others to share the adventure together and in the background we remove the stress by helping with your travel admin. You'll have someone to turn to before, during and after your program.
The Independent traveller can now join LEAP VIP – our travel advice hub which provides access to a network of amazing off-grid travel contacts and opportunities and of course helps with the covid travel rules.
So, get in touch, we are here to help,
Milly Whitehead
Co-founder
Social responsibility, friendship, teamwork, contribution, challenge and your safety is at the heart of all we do.
Our friendly and approachable Leap culture is created by the knowledgeable, caring and supporting staff both in the UK office and overseas.
Co-founder
Keeps the show on the road and driving force behind the covid admin.
Co-Founder
Responsible for program development and Leap VIP
South American Guru
Responsible for getting everyone on the right team in and around South America
Costa Rica
Chris, your host in Costa Rica, is passionate about conservation and the environment. Along with his brilliant team Chris will enthuse, inspire and lead you throughout the program.
Costa Rica
Meli is the general manager at Jakera.
Costa Rica
Peggy is the booking and spanish director.
Costa Rica
They are the surfer dudes who will teach you to ride the waves.
Costa Rica
Brandon is the Driver at Jakera and the DJ who provides the tunes!
Costa Rica
Kira is the volunteer coordinator responsible for looking after the Adventure Team in Costa Rica.
Kenya
Des is truly dynamic and has created the marine conservation zone which needs your help.
Kenya
Tilda is the other half of this dynamic couple who are all about conservation. Tilda helps Milly build the program and makes sure everyone is happy.
Kenya
Jack is the Operations manager & Expedition coordinator.
Namibia
Andrea is the Chief Executive Officer and is behind re-wilding and saving the rhino project in Namibia.
Namibia
Red is the Chief Operation Officer and is incredibly passionate about wildlife and believes the Namibian Deep South has huge potential for wildlife conservation.
Namibia
Stewart is the expedition guide and has ample field guiding experience in various locations across Namibia.
Namibia
Bella deals with the accounts and the HR in Namibia and her interests lie in climate adaptability, sustainable urban development, conservation and the circular economy.
Namibia
Angelina is the bead and bread maker as well as being the head house keeper.
Namibia
Lizzie is the chef at base camp. She has the huge responsibility of keeping everyone well fed and needless to say, she does this extremely well.
Namibia
Wilfred is responsible for the general maintenance of the reserve at base camp and head quarters.
Guatemala
Harold, along with co-ordinator Grace, leads our Guatemala program. Back in the days Harold lead The Leap in Venezuela but is now putting his skills and experience to good use in Guatemala.
Cambodia
Rachel is the founder of the Red Road Foundation and will be your guide throughout your time in Cambodia.
Ecuador
Emma finally came to live in Ecuador in 2002 and now has over 15 years of experience working in the Ecuadorian tourism industry. In this time she has gained extensive knowlegde leading, developing & running active tours across Ecuador & Galapagos.
Colombia
Brendan and his family will be looking after all our teams in Colombia and will show you life beyond the tourist trail.
Galapagos - Ecuador
Geovanny blends his positivity and natural leadership abilities, with a sharp and forward looking strategic sensibility. Above all else, he is committed to preserving the fragile ecosystem that he calls home.
Cuba
Leo - with his brother, are the team behind Cuba - a dynamic pair who will look after you and show you all sides of Cuba.
2002
…on the kitchen table with the assistance of an old green dinosaur Apple Mac. We soon upgraded our technology and moved to the heady heights of our offices in Marlborough.
2006
From the dusty plains of Africa, we branched out into South America and Asia, providing diverse projects, adventures and challenges in each continent.
2009
From business and law to teaching and journalism, we start offering opportunities that enable Leapers to gain invaluable work experience whilst travelling off the beaten track.
2010
Champagne and celebration - we've helped 2000 leapers travel. We begin looking for new countries and projects to meet the needs of the gap year traveller. Cambodia still wins the popularity contest.
2012
A proud moment; together we've built schools and orphanages, educated children, helped protect endangered wildlife, planted trees and improved health and hygiene in remote communities.
2014
This year, we added Cuba, Madagascar, Nepal and The Bahamas to our roster... twelve different countries across four different continents.
2016
Namibia welcomes our leapers, Peru comes on board and the lovely Jenny joins our team in Leap Towers - what did we do without her?
2018
Central America is now the new place to go, (apparently, and Guatemala wins the popularity award.) Alice joins us and starts to find even more destinations, so watch this space.
2018
9 day trips to Namibia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Madagascar for teams of MidLifers who want to embark on a volunteering adventure. Check out our new website.
2019
We take our first team of CR directors on a bespoke conference to the Philippines where they will combine strategy meetings with volunteering projects. See what they are upto.
2020
We launch our first school Expedition for Dauntsey’s school to Namibia where they will contribute to the development of a new national park.
2020
The year of corona and a what year it has been. But not to be beaten - we created Leap VIP to help all gappers find a way to travel and navigate the new rules imposed on us.
2021
We were one of the very few companies to get gappers away this year through our team Leap programs and Leap VIP, saving the gap year for hundreds of leapers.
