Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

I was a Warrior in 2009. This program helped me withbso many aspects of my life. From discovering who i am to over coming a couple of fears. I was able to be myself and explore endless oppertunities with a safe circle of friends and extended family. The support i recived and love was somthing our of this world. Besides all the emotional trips and that this program had given me the most amazing adventures one could ask for. SKY DIVING. SCUBA. HORSE RIDING. SELF DEFENCE. HIKES. RAFTING you name it we did it. Thank you for everything. I would highly recommend this program to all ages that have the opertunity to partake in the program and events.

This year changed my life. I've learned to trust my instincts and to believe in myself. The instructors was a big help and enable me to controll my biggest fear. The programme was loaded with a lot of activities and we travelled all over the country. I would definitely recommend the Warriors Gap Year. I am going back for the second year and cannot wait to start my journey. A huge thank you to my instructors who taught me that I can do anything! The programme is also a great way to explore SA! Lets GO!!

After completing school at the age of 17, my parents had decided that I was too young to attend university and live on my own, and rightly so.

My time at the Warriors Academy allowed me to grow and mature a remarkable amount. And all of this while having the time of my life in a safe, controlled environment, yet still able to experience what the real world is all about.

In one year at the Warriors Academy I underwent my greatest mental, emotional and physical growth I had experienced to date.

I struggle to articulate just how immensely great the impact of the Warriors Academy was on me.

Along with the experiences gained and lessons learned, I made friends for life. Not just with the other kids attending the year with me, but also the facilitators. It feels weird to call them that because they aren't just facilitators to me anymore, but rather family.

And I consider that one of the best things I gained from the year, not just more close friends, but an extended family, all of whom I would trust with my life. Because they allowed me the opportunity to create an amazing one that wouldn't have been possible without them.

My 3 children have stayed individually at the Warriors Academy for the gap-year program. All 3 have had a wonderful time and have grown, especially mentally. The biggest change that I’ve seen in my children was the fact that they became mature young adults, with a better appreciation of who they are and with greater awareness of their own capabilities. Warriors Academy helps young people find their physical and mental limits and make them exceed their boundaries; enabling them to discover what they really can do and how they can further develop those abilities. They gain skills and life experiences, allowing them to build a better future for themselves.

With the help of the amazing Warriors team, this program can make a substantial and life-changing impact on any participant to their gap-year program.

If you as parent consider a gap year should be only about fun and adventure then Warriors is great.
But there is more.
If you want your child to grow as a person, discover him/herself and identify who they really are and what the stand for, then Warriors is THE BEST PLACE to go to. The mental challenges combined with the adventure activities will enable your child to identify and experience his/her qualities and driving forces. And have fun doing it.

The 6 day SelfMastery workshop (at the start of Warriors) is such a strong and valuable part of the whole experience. Me and my wife have done it too and it is life changing. In every sense of the word. I cannot recommend it enough.

Warriors was a great year of adventure, new experience, hidden places and new people.
At warriors I was welcomed with warm arms and they tried they best efforts to make us feel all at home. Within the first week they did activities with us to bring the whole group together and become friends. Throughout the year we were always learning something new. I have made many memorable moment from this year of adventure and I have made friends for life in different parts of the world that I still communicate with on a daily bases even though 2 years have past since we were at warriors. Some of the experiences you get through warriors you will never get anywhere else.

I can honesty say that warriors was one of the most character building and exciting stages in my life to date - As a 19 year old, the experiences came as a chance grow and push myself beyond limits which 100% helped to shape my attitude and outlook on life that have grown me in to the adventurous person I am today!

We did everything from horse trekking to mountain bike and hiking expeditions, abseiling, sailing, camping, delving into your past, Toltec courses, acting and more. The space in the limpopo province at warriors base camp is awesome although I understand it’s been renovated since I was there almost 8 years ago.

This is a tough programme - but I would not change it for the world - hands down one of the best times in my life!

Since then I have had various jobs from working in ski chalets, teaching sailing in Greece, an account manager at a private equity firm and interior design in London, yacht broking In Monaco and now I’m currently working on a racing super yacht in the Caribbean and have sailed across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans - warriors was at the start of the rest of my life after school and acted as a catalyst that ignited this spark for life, change and new experiences.

The Viljoen’s, who run warriors, are the most wonderful people on the planet and have created something that is truly a gift for any young adult willing to go beyond what they thought possible.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me (Lottie acland on Facebook)

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime - it starts with warriors!

My 2 years being part of Warriors was amazing, the amount of skills and knowledge that I learned from there will always stay with me. I am forever grateful for what they have done for me. Taking me through my gap year and show me that their is a whole other world outside to explore.
And to be part of the 2nd year as a MAI was an experience of a life time, learning how to work in the outdoors and being part of a wonderful team that is always their to help and support.
And my best part was to transfer all my knowledge and experiences through to other people.