Warriors Academy Gap Year

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 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, 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.

Founded
2004

Reviews

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Martha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best week ever

The Warriors program was the most rewarding, fun and exciting week of my life. It taught me so much that I have been able to bring back into my everyday life. I am so grateful for the experience this program gave me, the instructors were some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I can’t thank them enough for everything they have taught me. The program allowed us to understand more about South African culture by eating South African meals and seeing the amazing wildlife and landscapes.

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Markus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MAI

As a second-year student training to be a guide at Warriors Academy, I can confidently say that this program goes beyond any typical gap year experience. It’s a journey of personal growth, adventure, and challenge, where each day pushes you to your limits, both physically and mentally.

What sets Warriors Academy apart is its holistic approach to development. It’s not just about the physical adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and survival skills, but also about building leadership, resilience, and teamwork. The training to become a guide is particularly intense, but it's incredibly rewarding. We had the opportunity to take charge of groups, plan expeditions, and make real-time decisions in high-pressure situations, all while having the support of experienced mentors.

The sense of community at Warriors is another highlight. You bond deeply with fellow adventurers, sharing in triumphs and setbacks, which creates lifelong friendships. There's a powerful sense of camaraderie, which is essential when you’re facing extreme challenges together.

If you’re looking for a program that will challenge you, shape your character, and equip you with real-world skills, I highly recommend Warriors Academy. Whether you're a first-timer or a second-year like me, every step of the journey is transformative.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
An icicle on someone’s hiking bag while they were walking with it on, and a 20 kg karp.
Pros
  • Adventure of a lifetime
  • Some of the prettiest and coolest places you’ve ever see
  • Some of the most beautiful people known to this planet.
Cons
  • Lots of camping so need to bring power banks wherever you go
  • Lots of driving to get to the places you’re going, so be prepped for long drives
  • Lots of rain during summer at basecamp, so some pretty wet socks
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Cameron
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Warriors

I participated in Warriors gap year adventure program in Magoebaskloof and it was truly a transformative experience! The program offered a perfect blend of cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and personal growth.

The itinerary was expertly curated, taking us off the beaten path to explore hidden gems and immerse ourselves in local communities. From hiking through breathtaking landscapes to learning traditional crafts and cooking classes, each day was a new thrill.

The program leaders were supportive, knowledgeable, and fostered a sense of camaraderie among our group. We shared laughter, challenges, and growth, forming lifelong bonds

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Kian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Warriors Academy

Participating in the Warriors Gap Year Programme was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. From start to finish, the program provided a perfect blend of adventure, personal growth, and cultural immersion. Here’s a breakdown of my experience:

1. Structure & Planning

The programme was well-organized, with clear itineraries that balanced structured activities and personal downtime. I appreciated the support from the coordinators, who were always available to help with logistics and made sure we felt safe throughout.

2. Cultural Exposure & Volunteering

I had the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures through homestays and community work. Volunteering with local organizations was incredibly fulfilling, and it gave me a sense of purpose while allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the communities I visited.

3. Skill Development

The program emphasized skill-building, including leadership workshops, language classes, and survival skills training. I left the programme feeling more confident, independent, and with new skills I never thought I’d acquire, such as basic conversational Spanish and project management.

4. Adventure & Fun

The adventure component was incredible—whether it was trekking through rainforests, snorkeling in coral reefs, or exploring ancient temples. The activities were challenging but rewarding, and I always felt well-supported by the guides and coordinators.

5. Friendships & Networking

One of the most valuable parts of the programme was the connections I made. I met people from all over the world, and the friendships I built with fellow participants became some of the strongest I’ve ever had. We still keep in touch today, sharing memories and planning future reunions.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a gap year programme that offers a mix of adventure, personal growth, and cultural immersion, XYZ is an excellent choice. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me discover new passions, all while giving back to communities and learning about the world from a new perspective.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and enriching way to spend their gap year!

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Jarrad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review on Warriors

Warriors taught me so much about myself i never new. The Warriors Adventure Gap Year program offers an incredible opportunity for personal growth and exploration. Designed for young adults seeking adventure and self-discovery, this program combines outdoor challenges, community service, and cultural activities.Overall, the Warriors Adventure Gap Year program is an outstanding choice for anyone looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. With its blend of outdoor challenges, cultural experiences, and personal growth, it provides an invaluable opportunity to learn more about oneself and the world. Highly recommended for adventurous spirits seeking to make a difference while discovering their own strengths.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The bungy

Programs

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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.

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!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Tumi

Job Title
Senior Facilitator
Tumi is every energetic passionate being! She loves to laugh and make a difference in other people’s lives!
Tumi

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!

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

Professional Associations

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