Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

Name: Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa
Brand: Warriors Academy
SKU: 146549
Rating: 4.87 (290 reviews)

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4.87 Rating

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Location

South Africa

Length

4 - 52 weeks

Program Tags

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

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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: Apr 03, 2024

Wish List

60 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!

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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

4.87 Rating

based on 290 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Gap Year Parent

5 rating 87.24%
4 rating 12.76%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.6
Support 4.9
Fun 4.9
Value 4.9
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 25 - 32 of 290 reviews

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.

Pros

Bungee Jumping
Skydiving
Cliff Jumping

Cons

Not much free time
Exhausting at times

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.

Pros

You grow so much coming here
You can do so many in a lifetime experiences
You meet people from all over the world

Cons

Some of the activities may make you feel uncomfortable
It’s expensive

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

Pros

I improved my English speaking skills tremendously
You get to know yourself better
You improve your self-confidence and leadership skills

Cons

The first 1 to 2 weeks can feel uncomfortable
It’s possible you can get hurt during the program
It’s a lot of travelling.

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

Pros

The adventure you get
The culture you experience
Opportunity to push yourself

Cons

Cape Town trip
Bus ride

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

Pros

Al the young people
The places where we stayed
All the adventures!!!

Cons

3 weeks no Phone…
Maybe not enough free time
Cant think About something else

I really loved my time at warriors. I got a chance to face my fear of heights and conquer it through bungee jumping and skydiving! The staff are very supportive and really want what’s best for you. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone who loves having adventures in the outdoors. There is also an element of traveling that I found really appealing this quest. We went on a three week Cape Town trip exploring local malls and even hiking up table mountain. The view was absolutely beautiful!

Pros

Staff
Support
Activities

It was a beautiful experience. Mentaly and physcially it changed me in a good way. Loved the people here and the activeties. You overcome your fears with the creazy thinks you do hear. the guidance here was great and they help you through everything if you don't succeed. they push you until you can no longer do what is a good thing. It feels like you have become a family here with the people here. you become super close with everyone and it feels like you have known everyone for years I loved this.

Pros

Conections
Mentaletie
physcially

Cons

Early wake ups

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...