Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

What an absolute mind blowing experience this was! 7 weeks of non-stop adventure, fun and personal growth. If you are up for it, this is a place that truly refines the person you choose to become. It's greatness was in everything, from scuba diving and tower cycling, to playing card games around the fire.This program will surprise you, challenge you and most of all, become a corner stone arsenal for any adventure life can throw at you. If you're not quite sure where life experience begins, this is the best place to start!

There are no words to explain how this opportunity has not only changed my son's outlook on life, but mine as well. Life gets fast and furious and if not careful you completely miss it. The Warriors Adventure Academy has had me in tears and so emotional to say the least. The insane ability's you did not know existed within your child makes me SO VERY PROUD!!

The Academy has no end to what you child benefits from being there. From daily Routine to Teamwork and Life skills, all done with so much enthusiasm, strict rules and most of all Love.

Never could I imagine it would ever be so life changing. My son cant wait to get back after every Quest, as they make new friends and form companionship. I have two younger children and they will definitely be attending when the time comes!!!!

This program has been voted the Best Gap Year program for years, and believe me, it is!
All three of my kids have attended various quests at some time or another.
My eldest, post graduation, found himself lacking a bit of direction and needing a break. He attended the Toltec course and came home a changed man. He then went back for the Autumn Quest, before heading to New Zealand for the remainder of the year. What a difference Warriors made to his life.
My other two are still currently at Warriors. As we all know, 2020 wasn't a good year for anyone, especially the young adults who were forced to put their lives and future plans on hold. Plans had to change, lost opportunities to travel etc, it was depressing. Both chose to go to Warriors & are thriving, active & happy. Life long friendships have been made. The future looks bright. Well done the Warriors team and thank you.

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed this programme and learnt more than we could have hoped!! She came back with a whole lot of confidence and hope for her future. The friendships she made throughout the quests are friendships that will last a lifetime. Warriors is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people, and great learning oppurtunities. It is a safe environment where young adults get to expand their knowledge both about the outside world and about themselves, and how to negotiate life's challenges.

Most amazing program! All three of my children have done at least one of the Quests, one of them intent on doing all four.
Personal growth has been astounding for all three. They learn so much about themselves and the world, especially how to connect again on a non-electronic level. Their sense of self worth has grown in leap and bounds.
Make no mistake it is tough on many levels, but the Warrior staff approach and support makes them pull through. I truly believe it makes them find their true vocation and purpose in life.
Initially the fees seemed a bit daunting for South Africans, but it is more than a worthwhile investment in any young adults future.
Safety is of paramount importance to the supervisors and at no stage was I concerned about them. Rowena as director is always a whattapp away and has gone out of her way to accommodate any requests.
My children have made what I believe are lifelong friendships and view the Warriors team as a second family.
Have no hesitation in recommending this program to all young adults.

The Warriors experience is a unique one, especially for young people from urbanised places like Northern Europe. The physical settings of the program are amazing, and the program's trips are challenging in profound and good ways. Our son highlighted his top 3 'wins' from the Warriors program as: 1. development of endurance, resilience and mastery of self; 2. experiencing this development in new and invigorating settings like the hike through Kruger Park, the 500 km bike tour, the amazing scuba diving program at Sodwana Bay, the hikes in the Limpopo hills etc.; and 3. the ability to get out of the technology driven world (social media) and focus on your physical group members as people, on building human relations and challenging yourself within the group. And doing all this without knowing what was coming the next day, put a premium on flexible thinking, collaboration & adaption, and team building.
As parents and family we followed some of this at a distance through the Warriors YouTube, Facebook and Instagram channels, which was a very nice experience and helped us to be part of the development.
A big thank you to the whole Warriors Team, and the participants for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!

My daughter did the summer and autumn quest a whole 8 weeks away, they learnt a lot of life skills mentally and physically, it put her in a good space about herself and how to handle people in general. They worked hard and had fun and learnt how to overcome the difficulties they each faced in their own way. She has come back better and stronger than before. Facing your fears in the safety of a group, of wonderful warrior team mates pushing on and pushing through watever stands in your way. Enjoy life and what it has to offer.

The Warriors academy has changed the course of my daughters life. She has grown into an incredibly confident and capable young woman. She knows her own worth, her own mind, and has pushed the boundaries of her strength and courage. There is simply nothing else that can compare to this gap year program. Their motto is “for the adventure of being alive” which says it all. The unique experiences, the deeply invested staff and instructors, and the unstoppable energy of the Warriors is just amazing. Highly highly recommended, especially to more American students. It’s a long way away, but so worth it.