Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

Name: Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa
Brand: Warriors Academy
SKU: 146549
Rating: 4.85 (317 reviews)

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4.85 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: Mar 29, 2025

Wish List

65 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

4.85 Rating

based on 317 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Gap Year Parent

5 rating 84.86%
4 rating 15.14%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.55
Support 4.9
Fun 4.9
Value 4.85
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 97 - 104 of 317 reviews

It’s amazing how close you can become to a group of strangers in just 7 weeks while all enduring the same difficult while exciting challenges. The support and enthusiasm that the facilitators and MAIs always gave the warriors was something I will never forget. Whenever I was feeling down or just not feeling up to doing something, they were always there to lift my spirits and push me to limits I never knew I could reach. I’ve never had so much fun while simultaneously being so proud of myself as I have on Warriors.
You are almost guaranteed to come back for a second quest.

Pros

Self astern booster
Skills booster
Lifelong memories made

Cons

Chance of injuries
Pushes your boundaries
Expensive

Warriors group walking to the boat at Sodwana bay, on the way to scuba dive.

I can honestly say that Warriors was one of the best experiences I've ever had, it was truly life changing and I couldn't have asked for a better gap year program. Not only were the activities exciting, amazing and well thought out but the people I met there and who run the program are some of the most genuine and kind hearted individuals, they made my experience even better and I've never felt more supported by a group of people in my life. I can't thank Warriors enough for what they've done for me and I can't wait to carry on with my Warriors journey.

Pros

Fitness
Life long friends
Support

This program is an awesome experience for people who love being in nature and want to develop themselves, whether that be physically or mentally. The activities take you to places and experiences that are truly amazing. Even when the activities seem like they’re a lot, they’re always something that anyone can conquer if they’re willing. The facilitators are all enthusiastic, caring people who’re always ready to help push you to improve and keep going. The base camp is in a beautiful forest on a mountain.

We went on a short hike during the first few days and afterwards we did a community service week with a group of kids getting a taste of the adventure of warriors as well as team building activities,then we did horse riding and a hike which is one of the many traveling opportunities around the country which is amazing and highly suggested for tourists, less than a week later we where half way through the quest and did tower cycle which was a scary mountain biking week where I fell off my bike and nearly died and ended up getting sum stitches which was painful but an amazing memory and a great story to tell, then for the last 2 week we went down to sodwana Bay and dived where we all saw sum beautiful turtles and many other fishes, this all added up to an amazing 7 weeks with many fun and memorable moments which was absolutely worth every drop of blood, sweat and tears

Pros

Food
Support
Fun

Cons

Scary
Spiders
Duties

I have done so many things I would of never dreamt of doing before which often pushed me outside of my comfort zone but made me grow as a person a lot and made me learn new things about myself. Besides that I made friends for life and got to see beautiful places in South Africa. I have learnt so many life lessons that I will never forget and made memories I will be telling my children about. Leaving this place is probably the hardest thing I will ever have to do because this place has become like a home for me in the past 4 months.

Pros

Self growth
Adventure
New friends

Cons

Little freedom
Not a lot of alone time

My time at autumn quest absolutely flew by. I never thought that I could learn so much in the space of seven weeks. It was mentally and physically challenging but has changed me for the better. Warriors is not like any gap year program, it’s unique in the way that they understand the growth of us teenagers. Everyone involved puts 100% into everything with a bubbly and happy nature. Thank you to everyone who made my time during autumn quest so amazing. It is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Pros

Self growth
Adventures
Fasilitators

Cons

Hill up to the barn
Wi-Fi

Warriors is the perfect place if you’re looking for adventure and a place where you can become the best version of yourself. If helps you to get a lot of confidence leadership qualities and a high level of fitness. Everyone who is involved in the Programm is fully committed and will make sure you get the best experience and grow as much as possible. Even though it’s sometimes challenging the results you get are incredible and will definitely help you further on in life. And you meet friends from all over the world and make memories you never forget

Pros

Adventure
Personal growth
Memories

Cons

Sometimes a bit strict

Sensational time! 2 weeks of scuba diving. 150km cycle up 7 mountains! So much more. Activities surpassed my wildest expectation and helped me push past my preconceptions about my abilities. The vistas that I witnessed were the most beautiful of my life and my mindset feels permanently changed. Personal growth is prioritised both physically and mentally. You will become a stronger human in so many aspects after participating in the wide range of activities. I loved my time at the Warriors Academy!

Pros

Tech Free
Natural beauty
Personal growth

Cons

Accomodation is not luxury
Not much alone time

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...