A Life-Changing 9-Month Gap Year
Wild Coast region of South Africa
Adventure • Skills • Growth • Community
A Life-Changing 9-Month Gap Year
Wild Coast region of South Africa
Adventure • Skills • Growth • Community
About the Wild Coast Gap Year Programme
Discover Your Purpose. Master Skills. Experience the Wild Coast (South Africa).
The Wild Coast Gap Year is more than just a Programme; it's a transformative experience designed to equip young men and women with the practical skills and personal resilience needed for a successful life. Located at Mtakatyi, in the heart of the rugged and beautiful Wild Coast region of South Africa. Our unique curriculum combines hands-on vocational training with real-world community engagement.
Our philosophy is simple: True growth happens through challenges and meaningful work. We provide a safe and structured environment where you will learn to manage your own projects, work as part of a team, and discover your potential away from the distractions of city life.
The Wild Coast Gap Year is a 9-month adventure for young men and women (18–22) that combines outdoor adventures, practical training across multiple disciplines, involvement in sustainable farming projects and community upliftment initiatives all while living in one of South Africa’s most breathtaking regions.
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The Wild Coast Gap Year
Our Mission
Earn while you Learn
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower young adults (18-22), to step confidently into adulthood through a transformative 9-month journey in the heart of South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
We believe that growth happens when challenge meets purpose. That’s why our programme combines adventure, skills development, cultural immersion, and community service in one of the most breathtaking coastal regions of the world.
Our Team
Earn while you Learn
Our Mission
Our Team is led by an experienced team of educators, adventurers, and community leaders dedicated to guiding young men and women through a transformative 9-month journey in South Africa. The experienced Team comprises the following:
Programme Principal – Oversees the full experience, ensuring safety, structure, and life-changing outcomes f
Our Team is led by an experienced team of educators, adventurers, and community leaders dedicated to guiding young men and women through a transformative 9-month journey in South Africa. The experienced Team comprises the following:
Programme Principal – Oversees the full experience, ensuring safety, structure, and life-changing outcomes for every participant.
Adventure & Skills Coordinators – Leads outdoor expeditions, survival training, and accredited skills development programs.
Academic & Career Mentor – Provides personal growth, career guidance, and certification support.
Community Engagement Manager – Connects participants with local projects, cultural immersion, and social impact opportunities.
Wellbeing & Support Team – Ensures physical, emotional, and social wellbeing throughout the programme.
Together, this team combines international best practice with deep local knowledge to deliver a safe, challenging, and rewarding gap year experience on the Wild Coast.
9 Month Programme
Earn while you Learn
Earn while you Learn
Our 9-month Gap Year programme in the Wild Coast region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape offers the perfect balance of adventure, structure, and personal growth.
For young adults (18–22), it’s a chance to step out of the ordinary and into a world of discovery. The programme blends adventure travel, eco-tourism, volunteering, skills training,
Our 9-month Gap Year programme in the Wild Coast region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape offers the perfect balance of adventure, structure, and personal growth.
For young adults (18–22), it’s a chance to step out of the ordinary and into a world of discovery. The programme blends adventure travel, eco-tourism, volunteering, skills training, and accredited certifications—all while exploring one of the most beautiful and culturally rich coastlines in Africa.
For parents, it’s peace of mind. We provide a safe, structured, and value-driven experience guided by experienced leaders, with an emphasis on personal development, responsibility, and future-readiness.
By the end of nine months, participants gain confidence, independence, practical skills, and lifelong friendships—leaving them ready to take on university studies, careers, or entrepreneurial paths with clarity and purpose.
Earn while you Learn
Earn while you Learn
Earn while you Learn
As part of the Wild Coast Gap Year, all students have the unique opportunity of learning to dive for East Coast Rock Lobster alongside experienced local fishers. All catches are sold directly to neighbouring, Phumalali Seafoods, providing students with a chance to earn real income while gaining practical skills.
While seasoned small-scale
As part of the Wild Coast Gap Year, all students have the unique opportunity of learning to dive for East Coast Rock Lobster alongside experienced local fishers. All catches are sold directly to neighbouring, Phumalali Seafoods, providing students with a chance to earn real income while gaining practical skills.
While seasoned small-scale fishers and divers in the region earn around R15,000 per month, gap year students can expect to earn a minimum of R5,000 per month during their stay (thats about an extra R45,000 for the 9 months of your stay) adding financial independence to your journey of growth, adventure, and discovery. This additional income can be used to fund your travel and accommodation costs when visiting other regions of South Africa, during the two 10-day mini-breaks of the Gap Year Programme.
Programme Highlights
Adventures & Outdoor Skills
The Wild Coast Gap Year Programme provides significant benefits, including personal growth through physical challenges and independence, enhanced life skills like resilience and problem-solving, a chance to clarify future goals in a less academic environment, and improved career prospects due to boosted confidence and a stronger CV. Participants also benefit from a mental reset, gaining a fresh perspective and new energy for their studies or work.
Practical Skills
The Wild Coast Gap Year Programme is far more than a break from education; it's a strategic period for acquiring and refining a host of practical skills that are invaluable for future academic and professional success. These skills are often best learned through hands-on, real-world experience, which is the core of our well-planned Gap Year programme.
Community Upliftment
The Wild Coast Gap Year Programme participants can be a significant asset to community upliftment projects, offering a variety of benefits that go beyond the simple provision of labour. Your contributions can be transformative for both the community and the yourself.
Certifications
Gaining certifications during the Wild Coast Gap Programme is one of the most effective ways to make the time productive and beneficial for your future. These certifications provide tangible proof of a your skills, giving you a significant edge in both academic and professional pursuits. Optional course certificates include: Surf Lifeguard Award (SLA), Yoga Instructor, Mini-TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language), and a First Aid Certificate.
The 9-Month Gap Year Programme
Your 9-Month Curriculum: Skills for Life.
Our comprehensive, 9-month programme is meticulously crafted to blend essential life skills with specialised vocational training. Each of the 16 young men and women in our 2026 intake will gain a diverse skill set, culminating in a portfolio of certifications and practical experience.
Activities include the following:
Leisure: Kayaking, Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming, Hiking, Birdwatchting, Outdoor games, SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding), Sandboarding.
Skills & Education: Quad Bike Driving, Tractor Driving, e-Learing Courses of Choice, Cooking, Public Speaking, Presenting and Leadership, Self-Defence.
Certificates (Optional): Yoga Instructor, Mini-TEFL, Surf Lifeguard Award (SLA), Scuba Diver (Open water 1), First Aid Certificate.
Community Projects: Brick-laying, Tiling, Plumbing, Carpentry, Water Harvesting, Electrical.
Sustainability Projects: Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Bee-Keeping, Aquaculture (Tilapia), Broiler Chicken rearing, Egg Laying Chicken rearing,
Income Generating Activities: East Coast Rock Lobster diving, Spearfishing, Angling.
