A gap year can be a highly rewarding and character-building experience. In line with our heritage and educational values, A&K Safari Scholarship is an opportunity for a unique gap year experience. The successful candidate(s) will work in one of our elected camps in Africa for a three month period in 2012/13 where they will have the opportunity to learn the art of safari from camp operations to client hospitality and the subtleties of bushcraft.

Who can take part?
Any lower sixth student planning to take a gap year from July 2012 to September 2013 can apply through their school, which must have registered on the programme by 31st January 2011.

What is the application process?
Write an essay on "Why I am the ideal candidate for the A&K Safari Scholarship". The essay should be around 500 words in length. The school evaluates the entries from amongst their students and selects the most compelling essays (to a maximum of three) to submit to to Abercrombie & Kent. Applications should be accompanied by a parental consent form, giving permission for their son or daughter to enter the Safari Scholarship.

Abercrombie & Kent will then review the entries to create a short list of potential winners. Interviews will then be conducted with the shortlist candidates to identify the most suitable candidate(s). The successful candidate(s) will be announced at the beginning of the autumn term.

When and when does the placement take place?
The exact timing of the Safari Scholarship will be worked out in conjuction with the successful applicants, as far as possible to accommodate any other gap year plans. The destination camp will depend on the timing of the placement, in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania or Zambia.

What does the placement involve?
The winning candidate will join the camp team, being deployed into a number of different roles, including basic housekeeping duties, camp maintenance, kitchen duties, manning camp stores, hosting guests and accompanying game drives, aiming to give them experience of what is involved in running a safari camp, with plenty of opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the bush.

A&K  will provide international flights to/from the destination country where the winner will be met at the airport by a member of the A&K team, transfers to/from the relevant camp with food and accommodation for the three month placement.

The winning candidate will be asked to keep a journal or blog of their experiences for A&K to use in its marketing communications

Timings
31 Jan 2011:   Deadline for schools to register on the programme (Please click here for a school application form)
31 March 2011:   Lower IV 2011 students submit their essays to their school
1 May 2011:   Deadline for schools to submit their best entries for the Safari Scholarship
Sept 2011:   Successful candidates announced
July 2012 - Sept 2013:   Winners take their three month safari placement

For further information and to apply for the Safari Scholarship, call 0845 618 2116 or email safarischolarship@abercrombiekent.co.uk