Wildlife Conservation Internship
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Earn skills, experience, and qualifications that will help move you closer to your dream job in conservation.
Go on a wildlife safari adventure in a private South African nature reserve
Listen to the quiet hush of the wild open spaces, waking each morning to a chorus of savannah birds and drifting off to the nighttime hum of endemic frogs and crickets.
Live and work alongside Field Guide Association of South Africa, FGASA, qualified guides, growing personally and professionally by learning from their experiences
Visit the famous Kruger National Park.
Travel to SA to work alongside FGASA trained field guides on critical wildlife conservation initiatives while gaining experience needed for a career in conservation.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+
Join top local as well as international organisations such as Elephants Alive and World Wildlife Trust as they work on critical conservation which contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #15, Life on Land.
Situated on a game reserve you will be surrounded by some of the most incredible fauna and flora. As an intern you could expect to be involved in key conservation efforts on the reserve, the main one being the tracking and documentation of the number of species within the reserve. Other conservation activities you could be involved in include prohibitng destruction of plants by Elephants; control Cheetah feeding habits and the success of their integration into the reserve; anti rhino poaching initiatives as well as environmental education classes in the local community.
You will be motivated to generate new solutions and propose new elements to improve contribution to conservation in the reserve in South Africa.
Interns are required to complete weekly assignments and host leadership days. While on program, interns are supported by a dedicated mentor.
This internship includes three online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States:
- Wildlife Conservation
- Leadership Training
- Career Development
After successful completion of this internship, you will be offered two career coaching sessions as well as gain access to a job portal.
Are you looking to pursue a career in conservation? Why not upgrade to a career internship.The career upgrade offers you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by working with partner orginisations in multiple locations. This combination of having a virtual experience on top of on the ground experience are qualities that are highly sought after by employers.
Do you have an independent research topic to complete? Why not upgrade to an research internship.Gain valuable experience and collect data for a dissertation or thesis. This program offers virtual check ins with a research supervisor who has extensive experience and credentials in this sector. As a research intern, your main focus will be collecting or analyzing data and writing a paper.
JOB GUARANTEE: for both the Career & Research internship, we offer a job guarantee for those who join for a minimum of 6 months with a 50% cash back guarantee (terms and conditions apply).
Get in touch for more information!
Rhino Conservation
Antelope Conservation
Giraffe Conservation
Cheetah Conservation
Lion Conservation
Elephant Conservation
Activities
Hotspots
Black Rhino
Günthers Dik-Dik
Masai Giraffe
Northwest African Cheetah
West African Lion
African Elephant
Elephant Research
Kruger National Park
Typical day
Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners.
Estimated Schedule:
- 5 or 6am: Wake up call
- 6 - 10 am: First Drive
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 4pm: Second Drive
- 6pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Bed Time
As an intern, you will be heading out on 1 drive a day. You will also have weekly sessions with your mentor.
Free-time activities
By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities.
These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended:
- Skiing in the Drakensberg Mountain Range
- Bungee Jumping & Ziplining
- Hoedspruit Reptile Center
- Kruger National Park
- Kalahari Dessert (a bit further away but worth a visit)
- Cape Town (a 2 hour flight away)
- Blyde River Canyon
The possibilities are endless!
We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks.
These may include:
- Learn how to make potjiekos
- Develop your wildlife photography skills
- Discover the medicinal uses of indigenous plants
- Master basic bush survival skills
- Watch a magical sunset at a watering hole
- Enjoy a night sky safari
- Walk through a prehistoric cycad forest
- Sleep in the open bushveld
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Winter Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Final evaluation
- First Aid & CPR training
- First Aid & CPR training and certification
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Research training
- Reserve fees and permits
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Telemetry training as relevant
- Weekly evaluation with your mentor
- Welcome meeting
- Wildlife identification techniques
- 2 career coaching sessions
- Access to a job portal (upon successful completion)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Airport pick up available from Hoedspruit Airport within specified time period.
Based in Karongwe game reserve, just a short drive away from the Kruger National Park. Live in a renovated farmhouse surrounded by wildlife.
Accommodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.
Meals are prepared by participants although all ingredients are provided, mostly vegetarian diet and most dietary requirements can be catered for.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
2022
- 08 Jan 2022
- 22 Jan 2022
- 05 Feb 2022
- 19 Feb 2022
- 05 Mar 2022
- 19 Mar 2022
- 02 Apr 2022
- 16 Apr 2022
- 30 Apr 2022
- 14 May 2022
- 28 May 2022
- 11 Jun 2022
- 25 Jun 2022
- 09 Jul 2022
- 23 Jul 2022
- 06 Aug 2022
- 20 Aug 2022
- 03 Sep 2022
- 17 Sep 2022
- 01 Oct 2022
- 15 Oct 2022
- 29 Oct 2022
- 12 Nov 2022
- 26 Nov 2022
- 10 Dec 2022
2023
- 07 Jan 2023
- 21 Jan 2023
- 04 Feb 2023
- 18 Feb 2023
- 04 Mar 2023
- 18 Mar 2023
- 01 Apr 2023
- 15 Apr 2023
- 29 Apr 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 27 May 2023
- 10 Jun 2023
- 24 Jun 2023
- 08 Jul 2023
- 22 Jul 2023
- 05 Aug 2023
- 19 Aug 2023
- 02 Sep 2023
- 16 Sep 2023
- 30 Sep 2023
- 14 Oct 2023
- 28 Oct 2023
- 11 Nov 2023
- 25 Nov 2023
- 09 Dec 2023
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 24 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$5,202
6 weeks
$6,322
8 weeks
$7,442
10 weeks
$8,506
12 weeks
$9,514
14 weeks
$10,242
16 weeks
$11,362
18 weeks
$11,810
20 weeks
$12,818
22 weeks
$13,770
24 weeks
(max. stay)
$14,778
Average fees
$958
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Wildlife Conservation Internship
Travel to SA to work alongside FGASA trained field guides on critical wildlife conservation initiatives while gaining experience needed for a career in conservation.
$856/week
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