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)

Read 317 reviews

4.85 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

South Africa

Length

4 - 52 weeks

Program Tags

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Post-High School Wilderness

View Other Details

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!

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

View All Photos

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 313 - 317 of 317 reviews

If it wasn't for warriors I wouldn't have a clue where I would be. Warriors is probably the best program that I've ever done also the best thing I've done for myself... so here I was 18 years old and not a clue where I wanted to go with no direction what so ever. but then I found out about warriors academy and gave it a shot, at first I was scared because I was away from my family and didn't know anyone, but the best thing is that the minute you walk into the doors of warriors you are welcomed as family... this gap year is so full of fun, exciting adrenaline packed adventure but on the same note you learn so much more about yourself and who you are! Warriors gave me the skill set to accomplish anything I set my mind to. If it was jumping off a bridge or just taking the lead on a hike. If it wasn't for this amazing gap year then I wouldn't have been the person I am today.... I enjoyed this gap year so much I actually work for warriors now and I'm able to help people the way, the warrior staff helped me when I first started out.

You will be challenged to a point where you won't even want to carry on but you have to understand that at this point you will grow the most and prove to your self that you are STRONGER than you ever thought.

As a 17 year old traveling from literally the other side of the world for the first time it was so scary! When I arrived at basecamp after traveling for 3 days it was so nice that the facilitators and my fellow warriors were so welcoming! I was fortunate enough to participate in all 4 the quests. My favorite must have been the Spring quest! That was also where we did the wild coast hike! for sure my favorite hike of them all. Its crazy that when I think back to my first hike where I had so much trouble because of my negative mindset and then when i finally started being more positive I absolutely LOVED going on hikes! For sure Warriors has thought me allot but one of the most important things it has thought me is self love.

I now know who I want to be :)
I have all the tools and know how to use them in life. I understand that daily practice influences my results. The experience and the healing this year brought me will forever inspire me to love more, do more, give more and life with full force.
I am honored to call Warriors my Family and my home.
FOR THE ADVENTURE OF BEING ALIVE.

Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring. Four quests I have completed and each with the same goal in mind. To be the best me that I can be. I arrived at Warriors with a mindset that made me pretend to be someone else in order to fit in. It took me a long time to get through that but I then realised, I don't need to be anyone other than myself. I don't need to have accomplished extraordinary events or reached highest of standards to be accepted. I realised that if I am true to myself, love myself and focus on myself before others, the rest will follow.

So many people have come into my life this year and I have learnt so much from every single one of them. I never expected to be a part of such an amazing adventure. With people, that in the beginning, I saw as complete strangers but in the end were the best of friends and family I could ever ask for. I could never be more greateful for them all, because without them I would not have made it through the first week.

I have seen, learnt and experienced so many things in my time at Warriors. I've been on countless adventures and faced more challenges than I had ever thought possible. I've taught myself endless lessons to help nurture my mental, physical and emotional state of being. In only 9 months, I have grown to achieve so much in my life. Obliterated what I had seen as boundaries and thrown all thoughts of limits behind me.

Warriors Academy has been such an incredible experience in my life and I will use everything I've learnt from it in every day, through every challenge I face.

For the adventure of being alive.

I am a Warrior myself, class of 2016. And with all honesty, this programme has changed my life. IT set me in my future and I have learned to live life to the best of my ability. The Warriors Academy isn't just a gap year, it is a life choice. An attitude. A way of living. IF I could encourage every person to do this Gap year, I would do so with my whole heart. To see in I'm telling the truth you can even watch my personal Gap Year video on YouTube "My Warriors Academy Gap Year 2016" ... believe me. This is the programme for anyone who doesn't know what to do with their life, doesn't know who they are, wants to find themselves and wants a break away from the pressures of society. The Warriors Academy not only changed my immediate life but my parents and family members can see the change in me too.

What would you improve about this program?

It needs to be longer- 8 months isn't enough!

Read my full story

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...