Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

Location
  • South Africa
    • Limpopo
Length
4 - 52 weeks
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility

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 Ziplining
Timeframe
Fall Spring Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Cabin Hostel Rondavel Tent
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
24

Pricing

$6,400
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 Included (Extra)

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

What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Jun 04, 2025
May 22, 2026
79 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Ready to push your limits, explore South Africa, and discover who you really are?
At Warriors Academy, our Gap Year Program is more than just travel and adventure, it’s a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences.

With an internationally accredited gap year program structure and a strong focus on personal development, our program combines epic outdoor challenges with soft skills training and one-on-one mentoring.

Over the course of four 7-week Quests, you’ll hike, climb, dive, and lead, while learning powerful life tools and building friendships that cross borders.

Whether you join us for one Quest or all four, you’ll walk away with more confidence, clarity, and a whole lot of stories to tell.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a challenging mix of physical adventure and personal growth, helping participants build confidence, self-awareness, and lifelong friendships.

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

Video and Photos

Popular Programs

Warriors Academy Summer Quest

Warriors Academy’s Summer Quest is an action-packed 7-week adventure designed to challenge and inspire. From abseiling and cliff diving to mountain biking and a triathlon race, you’ll explore the wild side of South Africa. Engage in conservation work, cultural experiences, and hands-on skills training. With a focus on self-mastery, emotional intelligence, and personal growth, Summer Quest is where unforgettable memories and lifelong breakthroughs begin.

Diving in Sodwana Bay

Dive into adventure with scuba diving in Sodwana Bay, mountain biking, horse riding, and caving. This Quest blends outdoor thrill with deep self-work through coaching with Rudi, leadership development, and strategic thinking workshops. Add in cooking, massage, and quantum energy sessions, and you’ve got a powerful combination of personal growth, skill-building, and life-changing experiences.

Drakensburg Hike

From ocean sailing and ziplining to hiking Tugela Falls and exploring the Drakensberg, Winter Quest is packed with South African adventures. Alongside cultural experiences and wildlife encounters, you’ll grow through leadership training, sexuality education, and personal branding. With added skills like motor mechanics, photography, and sustainable living, this Quest is a holistic journey of discovery.

River Rafting on the Orange River

Spring Quest takes you from the Wild Coast to the Orange River with adventure racing, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and skydiving. Each challenge is balanced by meaningful soft skills development, like camp facilitation, fundraising, and presentation training. It’s about testing limits, giving back, and building real-world confidence while soaking in South Africa’s most epic landscapes.

Program Reviews

4.84 Rating
based on 347 reviews
  • 5 rating 84.15%
  • 4 rating 15.85%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.55
  • Support 4.85
  • 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
Showing 153 - 160 of 347 reviews
Alfie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This program is 100% with everything they do

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
117 people found this review helpful.
Noah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Was the best year of my life meeting amazing people and making amazing friends

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

114 people found this review helpful.
Brandon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Warriors 2021

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.

119 people found this review helpful.
Stephen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MAI

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.
117 people found this review helpful.
Jelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience once in a life 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.

115 people found this review helpful.
Luc
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

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.
128 people found this review helpful.
Simeon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My adventure as a warrior and MAI

I came into warriors as a troubled youngster that wasn't too excited about life at all. It took me a few weeks to adapt to the program as i came from a background of negativity and bad mindset. They were very patient with me even though i gave them many reasons not to. When i finally started trusting the process i could see a significant change in my everyday life. Slowly but surely i started to learn about myself and what i am capable of. My friends back home didn't recognise me they were scared of the changes that i made. So i started losing them one by one, and that just showed me how toxic they were and what bad influence they had on me in the past. I can truly say warriors academy open my eyes. At the end of the year i grew into a whole new person but i knew there was more for me to discover, i wasn't done. So i did the Multi-Activity Instructor year and oh man. It was probably the best year of my life, you learn how to be responsible and take care of others. Leadership skills on another level. Taking students and clients out on extreme adventures and knowing their lives are in your hands make you grow up quickly. You start shaping your mind into this machine that can do anything. Through all the physical stuff i've put myself through my mind has become stronger and stronger. I can truly say that i am ready for anything life can throw at me. These extremely challenging adventure have given me friends for life. I see them as family. Thank you Warriors Academy :)!

118 people found this review helpful.
Kelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Adventure of a Lifetime!

Warriors Academy gave me the opportunity to step away from my life and live a completely different one. One filled with adventure, thrill and excitement, but also challenges and personal growth.
From a city girl that had never been mountain biking or hiking or camping, to someone who is currently searching for the next bungee jump I can do, this was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My favourite part of my experience was the people I got to share it with. I made the most special bonds and friendships with my fellow warriors and facilitators. I will forever cherish the memories we made together.
My eyes were opened to the incredible beauty of this country that I had not quite been exposed to before, and I did things I would never have otherwise done.
Warriors showed me what a thrill it is to be alive, and taught me that growth follows discomfort - so do your future-self a favour and throw yourself in the deep end!
If you are even considering the Warriors Gap Year Program - DO IT! You will not regret it.

124 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

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

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

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