A year of true adventure, exploration, and discovery. Experience the wild landscapes of South Africa and find the places only accessible on foot, by 4×4, roped together or on top of a kayak. The quest for adventure awaits you.
Have questions? Feel free to message us. We can schedule a phone or video call. If you are in the area we can meet for coffee.
This program is run by Venture Forth International, assisted by Wild Medix. Before any fun happens, we ensure that all aspects of safety have been checked. All adventures are run by qualified guides who are registered with the Department of Tourism. We also have medics and doctors on staff who consult on our adventures and are available to students for consultation.
We do not go unprepared. We evaluate all eventualities of a trip beforehand and ensure our students are skilled and have the right mindset before each adventure.
Our guides are constantly expanding their qualifications to ensure that not only do they comply with industry standards, but go above and beyond what is required.
Expedition Gap Year is about finding who you are, and then growing with the power of adventure. We all have our comfort, adventure and danger zones, and you will get to know yours and how to operate in each zone. The mission for the year is to channel you towards your greatest potential. Do not become just another number.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Kleinmond, Western Cape, South Africa is where the student accommodation is.
Kleinmond is a coastal town that lies on a lagoon between Botriver and the Palmiet Mountain range. This town is within easy driving distance from Cape Town, roughly 1hr.
Students will share rooms with one another. Some rooms have bunk beds, and others have multiple stand alone beds. It is important to note that boys and girls will not be sharing rooms.
There is, however, a lot of travelling. For some parts of the year the student will sleep more in expedition tents, hammocks and cabins throughout the country than they will at home.
The students are provided with a bed complete with bedding and pillows.
Student meals such as breakfast, lunch and dinner are catered for, from Monday-to-Friday and over the duration of courses.
The way this works is that the total number of students are divided into 4 groups for responsibilities:
Cooking duty
Kitchen cleaning duty
Lounge duty
Bathroom duty
The cooking team are given a budget for the week. With this budget they must plan a menu and purchase the ingredients they need.
At lectures we provide tea, coffee, sugar and milk for the students.
Over most weekends it is up to the students to cater for themselves. This is because the weekends are generally classed as free time where the students can explore, relax and have time to themselves.
There are occasions where on expeditions, camping trips and excursions students will be required to cater for themselves. However, there are also instances where students are given expedition budgets where they plan the food and cooking teams. Both these scenarios are communicated in advance.
We have a bus and a 4×4 truck to get students from A to Z.
Between trips and daily commutes, we ensure the students have ample opportunity to visit the shops and get the supplies they need.
The shops in Kleinmond are also in walking distance.
If a student needs to be transported to or from the airport or bus station, this can be arranged with Zane.
Expedition Gap Year has access to the Venture Forth International warehouse, where all adventure gear is stored. As part of the program we ensure our students are well equipped for their trips.
Before every trip we check if there is anything the student still needs, and we plan accordingly.
We recommend that students arrive in the 1st term with minimal equipment, so as to test the various types of gear we have. (tents, sleeping bags, harnesses, helmets, camp cooking equipment, etc…)
After settling in, students can either bring more of their gear from home, or purchase it from any outdoor shop in the area. We also have a 15% discount the students can use to purchase any adventure gear from our shop.
Generally, this program is aimed at individuals between the ages of 18-30.
However, the program does not exclude anyone who does not fall into that age category, with one exception. The student does need to be 16 or older to join.
If the aspiring student is between the ages of 16 and 18, there will need to be a meeting arranged to ensure this program is a good fit for them.
Yes, students will often have every other weekend off to enjoy, explore and relax in between courses.
Some courses do fall on public holidays, but generally we try to structure the program so that the students have off on those days.
Holidays: 2025
Easter Holiday, 9 days | Sat 29 March – Sun 6 April
Winter Holiday, 23 days | Sat 28 June – Sun 20 July
Spring Holiday, 9 days | Sat 4 October – Sun 12 October
Saturday 31 January 2026 is the arrival and registration date. Parents are welcome to book a place to stay the weekend in Kleinmond, or they can drop their child off and enjoy their newfound peace and quiet, while we take care of the rest.
Over the course of this weekend, we help the students get settled in and check that they have what they need. Courses begin on Monday 2 February 2026.
On the registration weekend, the student will sign a code of conduct as well as a waiver.
On the waiver, it states that the student permits the qualified guide to assist them if an injury occurs. All our guides are qualified in wilderness first aid, with others being registered paramedics and we have doctors on standby to assist.
The costs, should the student require hospital care will be for the student’s account and/or their medical aid.
Follow the same E.G.Y application process on this website and then apply for a Visa.
Expedition Gap Year will assist you with letters or any communication that your Visa application requires.
This is a link to the Apply For a Visa page on the South African Government website: Apply Here
Zane, who leads the program and is in charge of logistics will organise that the student is welcomed and collected on time from Cape Town International Airport. The airport is 1 hour away from the student accommodation in Kleinmond.
Students do not need their own vehicles, as there is a bus and various other company vehicles we use to drive around. There are, however, many options to rent vehicles should they want to.
For most citizens from countries around the world, they will find that their currency is strong when compared to the South African Rand. This is often quite enjoyed as luxuries and expensive things become more affordable.
Apply Now
Download & read the EGY 2026 Info Pack.
Fill in the online application form below. Then share the character reference form link and have 3 people fill it in.
1. A family member
2. A friend
3. Authority figure; such as a teacher or coach
Once you have completed the online application form and have chosen your preferred payment option, you will receive the corresponding invoice within one work day from info@expeditiongapyear.com.
Send your proof of payment to info@expeditiongapyear.com with the student’s full name as the subject: e.g. Jane Doe PoP. Please also include the 3 character references as attachments in this email.
You will receive a confirmation email and the student will receive an acceptance letter with further details.
Communicate with Zane regarding travel arrangements and if you need collection from Cape Town International Airport.