Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

I completed my gap year at Warriors Academy in 2022. It was the best year of my live and unexpectedly was the most live changing, in that I developed greatly as a person doing something I learnt I really enjoyed. This personal growth and the opportunities provided ultimately lead to me deciding to join the 2nd year program offered by Warriors Academy, The Multi-Activity Adventure Instructor (MAI) Program. Don't confuse this as a second gap year, it is quite the opposite. The MAI program is more like a traineeship where you get trained as an outdoor instructor. The primary fields you get trained to guide in is Hiking, Mountain biking, Abseiling, White water rafting and Rock climbing. The training also includes various life skills such as team leadership, first aid, incident management and getting ready at 2am. This 2nd year at Warriors Academy doing the MAI program really took my gap year and turned it into career path. I would highly recommend it for those interested in working in the adventure industry or even just those looking for a life changing experience.

I did the MAI course after i have finished the gap year program. The MAI course has taught me even more life skills and added even more qualifications to my arsenal, it was a tough year but probably one of my most memorable as well. Now i am using the skills i acquired through MAI and I’m currently a adventure guide. MAI was by far one of the best decisions in my life. You get to work with the warriors and help them grow into they’re best versions, you get to focus on yourself mentally and physically and grow even more.

It was very fun but not for the faint of heart you are to be uncomfortable and have to be strong. There are times when you will have to workout every morning run long distances and hike very far. But with that comes euphoria and the feeling that you accomplished something. There was also a lot of things we did like cliff jumping which I am definitely going to do again. Rafting was also super fun and we did lots of awesome hikes. In conclusion it was super fun and helped me find myself. If you like exploring and the outdoors warriors is for you.

Warriors has was such a life changing experience it helped me to face my fears and not let them control me. As soon as you do that you unlock so much potential that you didn’t know you had. It's been the greatest two months of my life. It has been the greatest adventure.The activates really push you to your limits but hard things are worth fighting for and they are the things that make you feel the proudest of yourself which was something I had been struggling to feel about myself for a while before Warriors. It is also such a supportive environment and it has taught me not to let my fears control me and run away from them.

Warriors Academy had changed me in more ways than I can think of. I matured like I have never before. It had thaught me to not always stress about the little things; to look at the bigger picture. Besides that I gained a lot more respect for other people. I learned to trust in myself and to stand up for myself. We travelled all of South Africa, we hiked, we rafted and we even skydived. I would recommend anyone to please, should you have the time and money, give the gap year program SA a go. It’ll do you so much good.

Menno van Mechelen

My experience here at warriors was fantastic. Everyday was an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and explore yourself and new adventures. The program teaches you so many lessons as well such as respect, responsibility, compassion and hard work. For those who love being outdoors this is the place for you and if you don’t then I would highly suggest you give it a try because the facility is there to support you in anyway they can. However you might be thinking this sounds like maybe too much physical activity but rest assured there are plenty of down time and time to yourself. I love it here and would 100 percent recommend it to others

Warriors was an incredible experience for me. I came to realize that every single day has the potential to be filled with adventure, growth and purpose. A few days here felt like weeks have passed. Simply because we made something out of every day. We were constantly busy and up for new adventures. As a group we grow with every experience. We support, encourage and love each other like a big family.

Integrity, teamwork, responsibility, positive attitude as well as respect are core values which we learn to implement in our lives. I was inspired in so many different ways and recommend this program to anyone who is willing to stretch their comfort zone into new dimensions.

This quest were the best 7 weeks of my life, and I never going to forget this amazing experience!! We did al the cool stuff you can do in life, like bungjee jumping, skydiven, kloofing and rafing! And al the people you met are absolutere incredible. Basecamp is the best Place ever. Already after 1 week its going to feel like home. Al the MAI’s and facilitators are incredible and sooo funny. They help you with everything and theyre always there when you need them