Warriors Academy

Why choose Warriors Academy?

Warriors Academy is an internationally accredited Gap Year program that has been running in South Africa for the past 23 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, stress and conflict management, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving while exploring and experiencing the best that South Africa has to offer. Students are able to choose to do any of our Quests or all 4 as part of the full Gap Year experience.
Our Gap Year involves adventure activities, personal coaching and self-mastery workshops aimed at building emotional fitness and strengthening both the body and mind. Some of these activities include hiking, kloofing, water rafting, bungee jumping, scuba diving, sailing, cycle safari’s, animal encounters and so much more.

Website

www.warriors.co.za

Founded

2004

Connect with us

Community Photos

A picture of me and some friends on a day while camping

View All Photos

Reviews

I am very grateful to be an MAI of warriors academy. We have been presented with many opportunities to learn, while stepping into leadership and teaching the warriors. This quest we focused on scuba diving, and had a blast at sodwana bay! We started off the quest with a three day mountain biking trip, through limpopos gorgeous mountains. Warriors academy is all about growth and personal development. We learn to step out of our comfort zone, and into our growth zone. When we are uncomfortable, we are in the space to create changes. This gap year has changed my life and I recommend to anyone interested in adventure, and persona growth.

Warriors is one of the best experiences of my life. I have done things I thought I would never do. If you are an adventurous person and love taking on a challenge, I recommend taking a quest at Warriors Academy. The location is incredibly beautiful, and every place you visit is even more beautiful than the last. The guides and everyone at Warriors are so kind and help you with everything needed. The things you learn and do here are things you can't just do anywhere; that is what makes it so incredibly special.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Jumping into a 2-meter-wide gorge from a height of 8 meters next to a waterfall and having to land in the water exactly where it is deep. How I got over this was standing there, counting down from 3 to 0, and just going for it. Take the chance you have at the moment and do it, because you are going to regret it if you didn’t do it.

Pros

Unforgettable experiences

Cons

Being away from home

Summer Quest at Warriors Academy was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had. The environment was welcoming from day one, and the instructors really took time to help everyone improve while still keeping things fun. You go through hard times, but they only make you stronger!! Sometimes the things you resist are the things you need the most. I built confidence, made great friends, and learned a lot both on and off the court. The energy, structure, and support made it unforgettable. Definitely a 5-star experience I’d recommend to anyone looking to grow and enjoy the game.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Mopani worms. They tasted quite interesting!

I have nothing but good reviews for this program. The instructors are amazing and they do a great job of pushing you out of your comfort zone while still making you feel supported. They genuinely care about your growth, not just physically but mentally as well. The environment can be challenging at times, but that’s what makes it so impactful. I’ve learned a lot about discipline, resilience, and myself overall. It’s also such a strong community, and the people really make the experience. I have grown so much this quest and I can’t wait for another.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

On our cycling trip, we got to stop one of the days and meet Jessica the hippo. It was an amazing experience.

It put u in a spot where u have to push yourself but in a safe way , the staff cares so mutch about you and will help you push yourself but never force you to do something that you can't do and they are always there to help whenever there is a problem .
Even the people you do it with will always help you up and help you in all the ways to support you
For me it is one of the best and things that I could have done for my gap year you are never bored you will always be doing something and learn something new every day about funny stories from the years before or about anything new

What was your funniest moment?

The time when we put up a rope swing and watch people fall in the water in weird ways

Pros

Fun
Adventure
Freedom

Cons

Fear
Tired
Stressed

View All Reviews

Programs

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

347 reviews

Wish List

Warriors Academy

Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

South Africa

4.84 •347 reviews

Ready to push your limits, explore South Africa, and discover who you...

View Program

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

Website

Founded

Connect with us

Community Awards

Alumni Interviews

Tam

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

If you could do this trip again, what would you change?

Staff Interviews

Tumi

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?