Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

Name: Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa
Brand: Warriors Academy
SKU: 146549
Rating: 4.86 (302 reviews)

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4.86 Rating

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Location

South Africa

Length

4 - 52 weeks

Program Tags

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Post-High School Wilderness

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Program Details

Activities

Animal Viewing Boating Bungee Jumping Camping Canoeing Canyoning City Exploring Cliff Jumping Cycling Dancing Hiking Horseback Riding Kayaking Mountain Biking Mountain Climbing Rafting Remote Exploring Rock Climbing Safari Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Sky Diving Snorkeling Swimming Trekking Wine Tasting Yoga

Timeframe

Fall Spring Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Cabin Hostel Rondavel Tent

Primary Language

English

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Starting Price

6200

Price Details

Cost includes:
Accommodation
Food
Activities
Courses
Professional coaching services
Travelling
Training materials
Registrations and equipment as per activities

Excludes:
Laundry services
Personal pocket money
Personal gear such as bicycle, camping gear, hiking gear and tents (Can be rented from Rene)
Activities outside of prospectus
Medical emergencies
Transport to and from Warriors Academy at the start and finish of each Quest (Transport can be arranged on request)
Emergency transportation to doctors or other related services
Medical and Travel Insurance (US students it is pre-requisite to get travel and medical insurance from iNext, to be added to your account)

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Some Activities Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Some Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation Wifi

What's Not Included

Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: May 04, 2023

Last Reviewed: Nov 05, 2024

Wish List

63 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Are you looking for an adventure Gap Year in South Africa? Then look no further than the Warriors Academy. Our internationally accredited gap year program is the perfect combination of travel, fun, adventure and self-development.
You can expect to have new and exhilarating experiences while meeting people from around the world. During this year, you will be mentally and physically pushed out of your comfort zones. You will be supported, guided and tick off an array of bucket list items while learning more about yourself and your potential.
Our Gap Year program is structured to include four 7-week Quests. Each Quest has its own set of adventure activities, soft skill workshops and personal mentoring sessions.
You are able to do any number of quests or all four as part of our full Gap Year program!

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Video and Photos

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Program Highlights

Warriors Academy is accredited by the International Gap Year Association
Warriors Academy provides a comprehensive variety of training, activities, experiences and travel
Our program is highly structured with a focus on personal growth and development
We have highly qualified, trained and experienced facilitators
Warriors Academy is international and multicultural

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating

based on 302 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Gap Year Parent

5 rating 86.42%
4 rating 13.58%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.6
Support 4.9
Fun 4.9
Value 4.9
Safety 4.8

Program Selection 4.7
Pre-departure Help 5
In-program Support 5
Impact on Student 5
Value 5

Good for Adventure travelers, Students

Showing 9 - 16 of 302 reviews

Warriors is a great place to experience growth while getting uncomfortable intentionally. Without warriors I wouldn’t be in the place I am today with some of my favorite people. I can’t imagine where I would be in my journey if hadn’t come to warriors. Without the people here pushing me to be the best version of my self day in and day out I would still be in the same place. I have never been in a more supportive environment where everyone cares how you are doing and feeling every single day. Thank you

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I had never tried traditional SA pop

Pros

Community
Health
Compassion

Warriors academy has change my life warriors academy is a amazing gap year program definitely should go here if you are down to do a gap year program. Because warriors academy take you everywhere in south africa and they do amazing hiking activities cycling and other out door ACTIVITIES. And warriors academy take you on programs that get you qualified for instead first aid, public speaking ect) and you meet amazing people all around the world from the Netherlands to America to the UK and others so definitely should come to this program it's amazing it's a life changer and it's a program that get you uncomfortable intently.

I never expected to have this much fun and learn as much as I did. The values, as well as the usefull skills I have learnt and obtain will definately stick to me. With that, I can conclude that this journey definitely was worthwhile. We have done so much as a group, and in only 7 weeks, we have bonded so well.
The facilitators are always on point, and all they want is for you to have fun. The safety standards are amazing, and all the activities done with the warriors are completely safe. Couldn’t have asked for anything better

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Just do your best and enjoy your time here

The program has lots of adventure and also challenges each person individually. Self-growth is a guarantee.

What would you improve about this program?

I would not allow the same amount of swearing.

I’ve had many new experiences and have made some good friends I’ve learnt how to respect myself and to respect others - coming to warriors was the best choice I’ve ever made. The staff here have really helped me out and have changed the way that I think and do things. All the activities are over the top fun and exciting, I always had something to do here at warriors - you are always active and always having to give it your all. It’s a great place and I'd recommend this to anyone that loves being in the outdoors.

Warriors Academy was absolutely incredible! I met amazing people, made lifelong friends, and did cool things like hiking, swimming, and cycling. Exploring new places and being surrounded by nature was so refreshing. The best part? The personal growth I experienced. I discovered my strength, mentally and physically. Being in a good mental space made everything even more enjoyable. It was a well-rounded experience, with adventure, personal development, and connections with like-minded individuals. I learned so much about myself and pushed my limits. If you get the chance, check it out! It's an unforgettable experience of memories, friendships, and personal growth. I'm grateful for the person it helped me become.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

stick to the rules and don’t take advantage when you’re given an opportunity

Pros

travelling and exploring
building strong friendships
getting to know yourself, building a relationship with yourself

Cons

no phones
exhausting and overwhelming at times
feeling time pressured and not enough off days

Warriors has been an adventure of a lifetime! Being able to challenge myself in so many ways as well as traveling has made this experience so worth it. The soft skills that we learned was so beneficial towards my growth as a person and I learnt so much on these courses. Coming back for the second quest! Warriors allowed me the opportunity to meet so many new people as well as have experiences that were totally out of my comfort zone. The many characteristics and different nationalities were interesting to indulge in. The co stand physical activity also kept me in shape

What was your funniest moment?

When Cameron has diarrhea on the Wolkberg hike!

Pros

Travelling
Physical growth
Mental growth

Cons

Heat exhaustion

I loved my experience at warriors it really pushed me to my limits and I absolutely loved it. It was supper fun and I absolutely loved making new friends and getting to know new people and being able to make similar connections with people from different backgrounds the facilitators are absolutely amazing and very supportive definitely a opportunity of a lifetime. I loved trying the traditional food of the limpopo area it was exotic but I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this program for anyone.

Pros

The fun and commradship

Cons

The distance from town

Questions & Answers

Is this program open for 2022?

Yes, it is. Application for all the various programs is open for 2022

By Rudi Viljoen on February 18, 2022

What is the average age of participants?

average age between 17 and 23. We've had the exceptions

By Rudi Viljoen on September 20, 2021

How fit do you have to be?

No need to be super fit. We start of with basic exercise and build each participants fitness

By Rudi Viljoen on September 20, 2021

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

Both my older brother and cousin have done this programme prior to me. Hearing what an amazing experience this was for them and seeing the change in them, made coming to this programme a very easy choice for me to make.

I've always liked to challenge myself, but never actually got out of my comfort zone in doing so.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Because my older brother already did the programme prior to me, there were a few things he could pass on to me - which was great.

Other than that, the Warriors Academy helped me out with stuff I couldn't get/bring myself since I live overseas and it ended up being a lot easier just getting it on site. These were mainly things for outside activities, such as biking gear, hiking gear, and a tent.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Just go in and participate in every way possible. Don't think about it, be open to experience everything. There will most definitely be things you won't like, but you'll be surprised finding out there are actually quite a few things you really do like, just never had the opportunity to pursue it.

Also, as long as you put your mind to it, you're capable of doing everything and anything.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Okay, so it's quite valuable to know that literally every single day is different, let alone the weeks.
But generally, you start your day off with some lovely morning exercise after which you return to your rooms to shower and get ready for the day. After breakfast (if you're lucky, there are oats), you go and do whatever activity is planned for that day!

Somewhere around noon, you'll have lunch and somewhere beginning of the evening, dinner. That's pretty much all I can say about an average day. Food is great there.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I don't think there was a specific fear? I was lucky enough to have met most of the people who are in the organisation of this programme prior to me actually joining it. So I guess that already made me feel a lot more comfortable going to the other side of the world by myself.

Other than that, I would recommend being open-minded and not being afraid to talk to people whenever you're struggling with something.

If you could do this trip again, what would you change?

Looking back at my experience, I wouldn't change a thing. There were a few times I was very much set on not doing something, but I'm extremely happy I did end up doing these things/trying it out.

The thing is, during this incredible programme, there are a lot of opportunities that are thrown at you and most of these you won't get a chance of experiencing ever again. You don't want to look back regretting things you didn't do.

Be grateful, cause it's a chance in a lifetime!

James Baring

Vittorio Contaldi

Lindy Odendaal

2016 Alum

Somane Julian Neil Andersson

2016 Alum

Tabi Morison

Aidan John Pitt

2016 Alum

Matthew Wilkinson

2019 Alum

Brad Askew

2019 Alum

Kim Maritz

2016 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Traveling to Mozambique on a scuba diving trip! Just exploring another part of Africa made it so special to share with our international students!

Every day presented a new opportunity where a new diving skill was taught to the students. The importance of respecting nature. This was a trip with lots of stories and memories!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working at Warriors has allowed me to learn to give back without expecting anything in return. It’s allowed me to see students grow into amazing young adults.

I’ve learned to do everything with passion and always give it my all. It’s been truly rewarding having to be able to work with youngsters from around the world!

View Entire Interview

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the students had a really tough time in school and just not fitting in on a social level! Warriors has taught him to embrace who he is and express himself the way he chooses to.

He learned to accept himself and has picked up the courage to face people on a social level! Allowing others to appreciate his uniqueness.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

The Toltec workshop! It’s a week where our students are given the opportunity to learn about themselves emotionally and learn to accept who they are!

This is a week where we also offer an opportunity to detox and learn a little bit more about a healthy lifestyle. We teach the importance of health is wealth!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What makes us unique is the fact that we are a melting pot of different cultures, races, and nationalities!

The best proud moment will always be at the end of a program where you see a transformation and the excitement within the students! This is the start of their journey into the big world and we’ve just equipped them with tools to take it on!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company consists of multiple attributes.

Passion
Energy
Hard work
Focus
Dedication
Integrity
And most importantly, teamwork! It takes a team to put together a successful project! Yet we should all share a common vision in order for it to work!

#Fortheadventuresofbeingalive

Ruan

Adventure Facilitator

Rudi Viljoen

CEO

Renske Hagg

Adventure Facilitator

Carla De Araujo

Communications Manager

René Viljoen

MAI Instructor Training

Courtney Venter

Senior Facilitator

Francois Van Schalkwyk

Chef

Rowena Viljoen

Senior facilitator

Charles Thompson

Location

Location:

South Africa

Currency:

South African Rand

Weather:

Jan-Mar

81 F / 57 F

Apr-Jun

68 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

66 F / 45 F

Oct-Dec

77 F / 52 F

Airports:

O. R. Tambo International Airport

( JNB )

Cape Town International Airport

( CPT )

King Shaka International Airport

( DUR )

South Africa is often thought of as resoundingly unstable and poor; however, this is far from the case. The duality in South Africa encompasses big cities with a well-developed infrastructure, as well as rural areas that are underdeveloped and impoverished. South Africa is well known for having 11 recognized languages, beautiful landscapes, world-class universities, and an abundance of animals.

About Warriors Academy

Warriors Academy is an internationally accredited Gap Year program that has been running in South Africa for the past 17 years. The Warriors Gap Year program is made up of four seasonal Quests. Each Quest is structured and has unique features and activities. These are focused on equipping young adults with emotional intelligence skills, time...