Group Tours Proving Popular With Gappers

[Sam Ward]

Gapping season has arrived, and adventurers from across the globe are now looking forward to twelve months of unabated thrill seeking on distant shores.  According to Acacia Africa, a growing number of independent backpackers are opting to add in a group tour – overland expeditions, voluntours, and small group safaris proving popular with gappers.

Arno Delport, Sales & Marketing Manager for Acacia Africa comments, “Social networking has played a huge part in this trend, and it’s no longer group experience versus independent gap.  Many of our adventurers are travel bloggers and online personalities in their own right, and their tweets and posts continue to have a major impact on people who might not have previously considered booking a group itinerary.”

The tour operator also claims that financial constraints are the basis for shorter gaps, while the growing number of “location independent” adventurers are choosing to extend the traditional year-long holiday: group tours popular with gappers at either end of the spectrum.

Erin Michelson*, Editor of the GoErinGo.com travel blog, comments “During my two-year around-the-world journey I took small group tours at least ten times. They gave me the opportunity to meet new travel buddies and enjoy adventures I wouldn’t have been able to participate in as a solo traveller. I booked the 6-day Troop To The Gorillas overland itinerary from the capital of Uganda, Kampala, to see the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. It was an unforgettable experience. As a single female traveller, group tours also offered a bit of safety and comfort, and they paid off in the end by allowing me to share the cost of my travels.”

Safety is just one reason why Acacia Africa’s group tours are becoming popular with gappers; wanting to get off the beaten track, hooking up on the road, giving back to host communities and taking a break from solo travel, cited as other explanations for the trend.

Wild Gappers – Tour operators cover more than the established destinations and small group safaris allow backpackers to get off the beaten track and appreciate Africa in a more intimate setting.  Enter Swaziland, and a village headed by one of the few female chiefs in the landlocked kingdom.  Not simply an onlooker, here travellers can immerse themselves in the culture, participate in traditional music and dance (an integral part of Swazi life from cultural rites to marriage ceremonies) weave baskets, grind grain or prepare thatching for the village huts. 7-day Kruger, Swaziland & Durban from £585pp + local payment from £247pp.  Starts Johannesburg – ends Durban.

Social Gappers – Not all best friends make the best travel buddies, the high and lows of the unfamiliar putting a strain on the closest of relationships.  With no single supplement charge, overlanding is now seen as one of the ideal ways to meet a mate in Africa, a few weeks of T.I.A. (This Is Africa) experiences, ensuring adventurers make a wise decision on their choice of backpacker companion at the end of the tour. 19-day South West Safari from £775pp + local payment from £396pp. Starts Livingstone – ends Cape Town.

Gap Breakers – Even for the hardiest of independent travellers, sometimes it’s nice to take your foot of the gas and let a tour leader take over the logistics for a while.  Small group safaris or shorter overland expeditions are viewed as a great way to recharge our personal batteries - new friends and magical tour moments adding a fresh dose of wanderlust to any gap. 7-day Coast To Cape Town from £595pp + local payment from £205pp.  Starts Durban – ends Cape Town.

Give Back Gappers – There are plenty of people who decide to volunteer as they travel.  Ready-made voluntours are becoming increasingly popular as travellers can give back with a clear conscience, established operators vetting programs and ensuring gappers are giving back to ethical organisations. Enjoy a week of volunteering on the 26-day Cape Town Teaching & Namibia itinerary, your role to assist in classroom activities and tutor children with special needs as part of an extensive educational program in South Africa’s mother city. From £1,285pp (two sharing) + local payment from £416pp. Starts Cape Town – ends Livingstone. 

Prep Gappers – are usually single travellers who want the thrill of the open road all to themselves, but also wish to get acquainted with Africa.  Safety and age are the main reasons to add in a tour, an increasing number of younger gappers and female adventurers heading overland before they gap solo. 7-day African Insight from £395pp + local payment from £167pp.  Starts Johanesburg – ends Victoria Falls.

Arno Delport, comments “Obviously, budget constraints and careers can hamper our chances of taking a whole year out, and that’s why overlanding makes a great deal of sense.”

Ideal for anyone looking to morph their gap year into a shorter sabbatical, the 58-day Ultimate African Overlander expedition, Acacia Africa’s longest tour, covers eight countries. From £2,395pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £1,246pp and gorilla & chimp trekking permit from £358pp. Starts Nairobi – ends Cape Town.

Known as Gap Tasters, shorter tours covering several countries are ideal for those who haven’t yet pinned down the ultimate year out. The 13-day Desert & Delta Express will give overlanders lessons in learning the logistics of big tripping, the itinerary including, Botswana, Namibia & Zambia. From £525pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £288pp.  Starts Swakopmund – ends Livingstone.

The above prices include, camping accommodation, transport, most meals and services of a tour leader/guide. Year-round departures. Excludes return flight.  Acacia Africa: 020 7706 4700; [e-mail]; www.acacia-africa.com. ATOL No. 6499 and ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.

Erin Michelson* is originally from Los Angeles, but grew up throughout the Pacific Rim, including Washington state, Hawaii, and New Zealand. A business consultant and self-described “adventure philanthropist,” Erin completed a two-year journey to more than 60 countries on all seven continents. Along the way, she donated time and money to various humanitarian causes. www.goeringo.com which, chronicled Erin’s adventure in real time, continues to be focused on social issues, travel and volunteering, and participatory philanthropy. Erin was recently nominated for the National Geographic Traveler 2013 Traveler of the Year award and is currently writing a book based on her experiences – Adventure Philanthropist: Great Adventures Volunteering Abroad.