Research from Year Out Group shows that South Africa, followed by Canada and Kenya, is now the most popular country for structured gap year placements.

South Africa has risen from joint fourth place 12 months ago to top the chart for the second time in three years, while Canada and Kenya were joint sixth in the previous year.

The research also revealed two new entries into the top 12 this year, with Ecuador in joint ninth place, and the USA in 12th position.

Other destinations that continue to be popular include Peru, Tanzania and India.

Meanwhile, the UK is no longer placed inside the top 12, as adventurous gappers venture increasingly further afield.

Year Out Group is a not-for-profit association of 35 leading UK-registered gap year providers operating in over 90 countries.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, said: "Year Out Group's aim is to highlight the broad range of well-structured gap year placements that are available worldwide.

"The number of individuals embarking on volunteering projects, expeditions, structured work placements, courses and cultural exchanges is on the increase - Year Out Group members alone sent nearly 47,000 people on gap year schemes in 2007.

"Our strict code of practice and operating guidelines ensure that travellers' experiences are hugely beneficial, both to the local communities and to the individuals themselves - and also that all necessary criteria are met.

"The key to a successful gap year is careful planning - both in terms of safety, and of individuals opting for the project and destination most suitable to their skills and aims".

Other recent research from Year Out Group has shown that volunteering is the most popular type of gap year at present.

The principal age group taking up gap year placements remains 18-24 year olds (76 per cent). Females (59 per cent) are continuing to outnumber males (41 per cent) when it comes to gap years.

Year Out Group members offer a wide choice of activities in the UK plus over 90 other countries worldwide, and collectively carry nearly 47,000 participants per year.

Programmes range from courses and cultural exchanges to expeditions, structured work placements and volunteering, with a firm emphasis on ethical considerations.

Listed below are some of the programmes available from Year Out Group member companies in the 12 most popular destinations as revealed in recent research:

1. SOUTH AFRICA
Monitor game and carry out fence patrols on horseback with African Conservation Experience at the Hanchi Conservation Project, based on a private game reserve. All levels of rider are welcome, with volunteers caring for the horses as well as traversing beautiful African bushveld in this most eco-friendly of manners. A 12-week placement costs £4,390 pp including flights (London), transfers, all full-board accommodation, all project-related costs and support. Call African Conservation Experience on 0870 241 5816 (www.conservationafrica.net).

2. CANADA
NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard offers many options for those wanting a winter wonderland experience. Choose from two, three, six or eleven-week improvement and instructor courses set in breathtaking Western Canada. Hone your own skills and then, if so desired, that of others, in addition to many other activities and opportunities with likeminded devotees. Prices from £2,300 pp include flights (London), transfers, two weeks' accommodation and all instruction. Contact NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard on 0845 365 1525 (www.nonstopadventure.com).

3. KENYA
Assist with research on dolphins, turtles and primates on this placement with Global Vision International, plus aid sustainable tourism programmes. You'll be based in the beautiful Shimoni Archipelago, in the Indian Ocean, boasting amazing white sand beaches. A five-week placement costs £1,575 pp including transfers, all full-board accommodation, training materials and introduction course, 'Emergency First Aid' course and 24-hour in-country support. Call Global Vision International on 01727 250 250 (www.gvi.co.uk).

4. PERU
Live and work in the most awesome jungle in the world with Travellers Worldwide. Perform conservation work at the Amazon's MANU Biosphere Reserve, and engage in data collection and project management at multiple locations. A three-night trek is included on 12-week placements, which cost £2,895 pp including transfers, all full-board accommodation in a beautiful, traditional lodge and in-country support. Call Travellers Worldwide on 01903 502 595 (www.travellersworldwide.com).

5. TANZANIA
Africa & Asia Venture offers the chance to spend four months teaching in carefully selected schools, plus four weeks of travel and safari in East Africa. Guaranteed to get under the skin of this great nation, volunteers will tutor on academic subjects, music, drama, arts and crafts or sport, or help to renovate dilapidated classrooms, all in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Prices from £2,975 pp include transfers, most accommodation and food, insurance, back-up support and safari. Contact Africa & Asia Venture on 01380 729 009 (www.aventure.co.uk).

= 6. INDIA
Volunteer in India for a month with Raleigh and the experience will be threefold: based in the Western Ghats region at Karnataka, you'll help locals by building eco-sanitation facilities in their houses, participate in the conservation of beautiful elephant and tiger reserves, and complete a 16-day adventure challenge in Kerala involving trekking, cycling and kayaking. Prices from £1,500 pp include transfers, all accommodation, food, training and insurance. Contact Raleigh International on 020 7183 1270 (www.raleigh.org.uk).

= 6. GHANA
Work at a monkey sanctuary amid the sacred groves of tropical Ghana on this placement with Frontier. You'll be helping to conserve an endangered species plus provide economic incentives through eco-tourism for a friendly local community. Prices from £995 pp include transfers, four weeks' half-board accommodation, project equipment and orientation and 24-hour emergency support. Contact Frontier on 020 7613 2422 (www.frontier.ac.uk).

8. THAILAND
Join a Marine Conservation & Environment project in Ao Nang with Teaching & Projects Abroad and, after learning to scuba dive, descend to depths of 30m and observe and analyse reef damage and marine populations. You'll also help with beach clean-ups and the replanting of mangrove forests. A two-month placement costs £2,695 pp including transfers, all full-board accommodation and in-country support. Call Teaching & Projects Abroad on 01903 708 300 (www.projects-abroad.co.uk).

= 9. AUSTRALIA
Spend 22 watery weeks with Flying Fish gaining RYA/MCA certification as a Yachtmaster Offshore/Master of Yachts - including a thrilling 600-mile voyage along the Pacific Ocean Passage. The qualification will mean you can take a sailing vessel of 200 tonnes anywhere in the world. Price, from £16,870 pp, includes transfers, all shared self-catering accommodation (with a two-week Christmas break), meals on yachts, equipment, tuition and exam fees. Contact Flying Fish on 0871 250 2500 (www.flyingfishonline.com).

= 9. COSTA RICA
Assist at a medical clinic with Outreach International. In the quiet, friendly and laid back Caribbean coastal town of Cahuita, the clinic is extremely important as the sole medical facility in the local area. Volunteers need not be qualified but must have a genuine interest in medicine. A three-month placement costs £2,700 pp including transfers, all accommodation, food, in-country support, visas, UK training and briefing, insurance and a weekend trip. Call Outreach International on 01458 274 957 (www.outreachinternational.co.uk).

= 9. ECUADOR
Lattitude Global Volunteering offers placements in rural Ecuador as a language assistant, usually involving working in both primary and secondary schools, and teaching English to classes of around 40. Teaching materials are sometimes non-existent, so a creative spirit is required. Prices from £1,500 pp for a five-month placement include transfers, all accommodation, food, in-country support and a UK briefing. Call Lattitude Global Volunteering on 0118 959 4914 (www.lattitude.org.uk).

12. USA
Being a 'counsellor' with Camp America has nothing to do with psychology or psychiatry - instead you'll be maintaining fellow boarders' general well-being at a classic American summer camp. This involves taking part in activities such as tennis, archery and pottery, plus dancing at the flagpole and even singing round the campfire. Placements last nine weeks. Prices from £380 pp include transfers, accommodation, food, pocket money and flights - which are free for all London applicants. Call Camp America on 020 7581 7373 (www.campamerica.co.uk).