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 121 - 128 of 317 reviews

The views are fantastic! We make magnificent memories! Also do unexpected or uncomfortable things you wouldn’t usually be willing to give a go e.g. Fed Jessica the friendly hippo, crawled through small mine-like tunnels, slept tent
-less in the Kruger National Park and many more! Personal doubts or uncertainties/weaknesses are also positively challenged and motivated to improve upon and grow. Had a concert night where my fear of dancing came to light, yet the performance itself was really fun. All in all very inspirational! Would highly recommend.

Pros

Diversity
Supportiveness
Motivational

Cons

Close quarters (occasional snoring)
Not many casual shopping or town days
Restricted alcohol consumption

This was definitely one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Yes it was tough and it was challenging, but the amount of growth that I've experienced and all the adventures that I've gone on makes everything worth it. The adventures that you get to experience here are truly special and the family that forms around you is so unique. It isn't always fun and games and you will have your down days where you may be cycling for 80km or hiking up a literal mountain, but you are encouraged to cry and to show that you are human with so much support and love around you. Warriors helps you to develop your character and it does help you to find the person that you want to be. It is totally WORTH IT!!!

Pros

The Adventures you go on
The family that you build
The growth that you experience

Cons

Having to clean dishes
A lot of hills
Sometimes bugs in the room

Yeah warriors is an amazing place with such wonderful people and the activities we do and life skills that we learn are so good for thing that we will be needing to do in our future life's and everything you learn it sticks with you for the rest of your life it's not like school where u sitting in class and u forget what the teacher has been talking about for the past 40 mins here what they teach you, you do it the next day perfectly and if not they'll keep on pushing you and teaching you how to do it perfectly

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Expect the unexpected they don't tell you anything you are doing till the day which is exciting actually I prefer it that way if they did the program any different I don't think you would get the same experience of excitement

The best year of my life was being at warriors learning new skills and improving my fitness and making the best friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life. You push your self mentally and physically for any activity that was tough. I came to this gap in the beginning of the year in feb. And I enjoyed everything that I accomplished at warriors I did the drakensburg 5 day hike I did Bungy jumping, sky diving and the adventure challenge which was the most insane and toughest challenge I have ever done but I loved this was the best year ever

Warriors has taught me so much like how to grow not only physically but also mentally. My first year was an unbelievable experience. Making so many friends so fast and getting so close to everyone. It has been so much fun that I’m doing next year as a multi activity instructor (MAI). Can’t wait to get back to start a new year in 2022 in this beautiful place. I love warriors because they first helped me find who I really and and them took us on the most amazing adventures. From sky diving to rafting the orange river.

The MAI program that warriors offers is an amazing program where you are pushed to be the best you possible and helping you overcome some things that you are struggling with, you learn a lot about different activities that range from public speaking to abseiling and many more. This year has taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of and with the help of the warriors staff, this years warriors and the MAIs I have overcome hurdles, I have been on some of the craziest and most exiting trips and I have met the most amazing people who I call family now.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve-racking moment of the year was when we started the Drakensburg Grand Traverse. I was nervous about the 9 days that were ahead of us but I was super exited at the same time.

I had my doubts going into the program, but I have had the best time possible. You get pushed to your limit and yes it does get tough. But what you get in return you can’t express!! I have created memories for life, some of which I will remember until the last day. You get an experience that rewards persists above everything else. You do what you have to complete your objective. But most important you do what is best for you, I have learned so much about myself aswell as my peers joining me in this amazing experience.

The best decision you could make for a gap year, if not your life. It is a place of remarkable growth and development and you learn to flourish in your day-to-day environment, that’s along side the daily adrenaline filled activities. It is situated in the most stunning place in South Africa and has the best staff in all aspects, you’ll find yourself immersed among people who bring you up and make you feel at home, Warriors academy is definitely my second home and is the reason I went back for a second year.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

If I had to change anything, it would’ve been my mindset and would’ve pushed myself from the very beginning.

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...