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.

Website

www.warriors.co.za

Founded

2004

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Community Photos

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

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Reviews

When I arrived at Warriors Academy, I had so many goals I wanted to achieve, but I didn’t know if I was able to achieve them. Not only did I achieve all the goals I had, but I also achieved so much more. Warriors made me push myself and made me grow so much as a person. Their program will help you find yourself and friends who you know will be around for a lifetime. The warriors academy team was so supportive throughout the entire journey and made us feel so safe and helped grow our confidence. Warriors Academy was the best decision I have ever made.

What was your funniest moment?

The funniest moment at warriors academy was during one of our cycles a small dog started chasing one of our facilitators, Dylan down a huge hill and all I could hear was this high pitched scream. I had to save Dylan from this small little dog but it was so funny.

Pros

All the MAIs and facilitators were all supportive
Helps grow your confidence
Made me realise I was capable of doing more than I thought

Cons

Some of the students weren’t supportive
Not enough time for us to rest
Waking up at 5 every morning

I enjoyed the activities, and I got progressively stronger over time. I was always stressed about not being on time or not knowing the itinerary of every day, as we knew very little information about future plans.

I felt a lot of frustration and burnout throughout this journey, but it was worth it

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

On our last day of rafting we did our first and last serious rapid. At the end of it there was a Hippo right in front of us.
After contemplating how to avoid it, we paddled away and prayed it wouldn’t attack us.

Pros

Good facilitators
Good mix of soft skills and adventure activities
Good support

Cons

Very hectic, a lot happening everyday

Warriors gave me structure in my daily life and helped me to become an adult. It was a wonderful, adventurous gap year, and the supervisors did everything to keep you safe and enthusiastic. The activities were fun, nocturnal, and beautiful. There was this one guy called Dylan, he was the best facilitator for me at Warriors, he has the kindest heart, and he is just always positive, and just being around him, it's a vibe. He really made me enjoy Warriors a lot. Warriors in general was avibe I will recommend sending your kids to this life changing gap year program

Warriors have been very helpful in developing my personal growth. It challenges you with activities that test your limits to force you to step out of your comfort zone.

The friendships I gained from this experience have been made stronger by doing the activities together.

The MAIs and facilitators have made me feel safe throughout the whole experince. Not only do they make you feel safe, but they also help you gain that confidence to push yourself further and help achieve your personal goals.

Coming to Warriors was the best decision I’ve made to spend a gap year

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I never thought I would gain the comfidence to climb a 30m tree. And surprisingly I did.

Pros

Personal growth
Testing you limits
Gain a more positive outlook on life

Cons

Sharing a room
The uphills

As a Warrior, it's been a pleasure to do some of these activities. A lot of people do not get to experience these kinds of things. It is such an honour to be able to participate in these activities. Yeah, the things we just would like rat hiking cycle, and so much more all of these things. A lot of people cannot participate because they have too much stuff going on in their lives. It feels amazing to be able to do so much more than I was. This is why I signed up for Warriors Gap, your program quest one.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The Most surprising thing I did on the warrior program was jumped off of a 10 m cliff. It was so much fun and exciting.

Pros

Fun
Adventure
Travel

Cons

tired
hungry
Always draining

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Warriors Academy

Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

South Africa

4.85 •317 reviews

Are you looking for an adventure Gap Year in South Africa? Then look...

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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.

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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!

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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

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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?