Program Reviews

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.

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 :)!

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.

Great personal growth with improvements in all aspects of life depending on what quest you do. Would recommend doing the whole year. Tons of fun activities that will test your strength and will at every turn. You will learn team building skills, mental strength, mutual support, physical strength, and critical thinking. You will learn to be more aware of the situations you find yourself in while also learning to enjoy everything you do. You will also create valuable friendships. The party scene is not great though as most parties that the program organized were not very fun and even those they didn’t were not anything special.

My son started at Warriors as a boy and ended as a mature, responsible well adjusted man.
He now fully understands and take full responsibility for his actions. He understands humility and know when to be humble and show gratitude. He also has a better understanding of what he wants out of life and has found direction.
I must be honest and admit that this "nice adventurous vacation" for my son was an initial solution for his indecisiveness as well as the Covid 19 disruptions.
However, he experienced much much more than we both thought possible. He is focused and ready to take on the brave new world of adulthood.
He is also more motivated and is looking forward to start at Potchefstroom University in 2022.
If in any doubt, get your child to enrol with the Warriors Academy, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

This was the best thing I could've done for my son! If I had 10, all 10 would've done this program, that's for sure! Brandon had the time of his life, every day. He could not stop talking about everything they did. He changed into a man after the first quest, not to mention what happened after the second, third and fourth! Every time he came home, he just wanted to back, one day later. What does that tell you? I would seriously recommend this program to anyone in doubt! Well done Warriors, and thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

Most amazing experiences adventures and experiences throughout the quests such as skydiving, paddling the orange river, bungee jumping, hiking the Drakensberg, scuba diving, cycling. Most importantly here at Warriors we've focused alot on personal growth and mastery of self allowing us to go into the world with a changed mindset and alot of gratitude and passion for the things we love doing.
Warriors has shown me how strong I am not only physically but also mentally.
I can honestly say this is the best gap year.

I grow so much in myself! I did amazing things and i learned so much about life, myself and people. Is was incredible!! We did ski diving, bungee jumping, 5 days on the orange River wich was the best thing i ever did in my life. The nature around me and my group.
We did a wild coast hike for 5 days, the things i sow, I wil never forget.
Warriors tought me to be grateful, for the good and the bad because then you grow, for the big and the small and for the things we often see as a must have. I would never forget warriors

Warriors’ gets you out of your comfort zone, and into an environment of growth and stability. It was a great experience, and one worth giving a chance.

Warriors gave me a chance to break from the doldrums I found myself in before arriving. The few weeks I spent on the Winter Quest of 2021 provided me with clarity and direction. I made lifelong friendships. My experience here was great, and I know I’ll look back on these few weeks fondly. I would highly recommend it to any potential gap year students!

This is not a time to say "no comment"! Our son, whom finished school in 2020, joined the Warriors for the first time during the Autumn quest. Where can one begin to try and encapsulate what this program means for its participants? For us as parents it was a difficult decision to make, not being the predictable route we took with our other children and also bearing in mind that our son was not the outdoorsy, adventurous type who liked to be out of his comfort zone (take note: at the time!). We now believe that if all young people could have the privilege to partake in such a program, the world would be an infinitely better place! In the short time he has been there, he has had a bucket load of bucket list experiences which are combined with life skill sessions of note. We are astounded at the personal growth he has experienced! He has learnt to embrace the joy of being alive and is more confident in his abilities to go beyond what seems to be the impossible, whilst at the same time learning to take responsibility for his own wellbeing and functioning as part of a diverse group. If you want to provide your child with an experience of a life time whilst simultaneously investing in his or her future - send them to Warriors! We cannot recommend this program enough. It is worth every penny and more.