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Expert claims travel could have positive effects on university grades

21st August 2014 Print
Overlanding in Namibia

Snap gaps are a popular alternative to the gap year and according to Dr. Max Tookey, an expert who specialises in the psychology of leisure they could have a positive impact on a student's university grades. A recent study by Zimmermann and Neyer suggests those who travel achieve better results, this group showing increases in openness, agreeableness and emotional stability relative to their non-travelling counterparts on a series of psychometric tests. An added bonus for anyone hoping to ace their degree course, the study also found that foreign travel had a profound effect on the ability form social networks.

Snap gaps average around five weeks and Acacia Africa offer overland itineraries of up to 58-days, the Ultimate African Overlander covering eight countries in the sub-Saharan region including South Africa - currently one of the most popular places to gap.

Travel across eight countries from Nairobi to Cape Town. There are several major Big Five wildlife haunts listed on the 58-day tour, the Ngorongoro Crater one of the best places in Tanzania to spot them all. Walking safaris, wild swimming and sunset mokoro rides are available at the Okavango Delta, the addition of a one-hour audience with the mountain gorillas in Uganda making the road trip utterly compelling. From £2,635pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £1,251pp + gorilla & chimp permit from £435pp including transport, accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Year round departures.

Showcasing seven countries and a lesser known Africa, the 44-day Rivers, Lakes and Mountains overland expedition includes wildlife viewing in South Luangwa, the Zambian national park said to be the home of the original walking safari. Game drives at Kenya's Lake Nakuru and village visits in Malawi are further highlights. From £2,195pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £751pp + gorilla & chimp permit from £435pp including transport, accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Year round departures.

Truck your way round seven countries in just 43-days on the Kenya To Cape Town overland tour and delve into the cultural melting pot that is sub-Saharan Africa. Safari with the San Bushmen in Botswana, meet the locals on a township tour in Namibia and spend an afternoon with the Masai tribe in Tanzania. From £1,975pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £980pp including transport, accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Year round departures.

All of the above tours exclude flights and are subject to availability. Dr Max Tookey is a Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Psychology at the University of Greenwich. He has expertise in the areas of careers, the dark triad of organisational life and the psychology of leisure, and he has contributed to various national newspapers and magazines.

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Overlanding in Namibia