from 15,045€

Brilliant 4.7rating (189)

Wildlife Conservation Apprenticeship

location
24 - 24 weeks  Â·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  Â· 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Start your career in conservation off right with three months of training and another three-month work placement.
  • 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.
  • Master radio telemetry techniques and learning how to track and record animal movements.
  • Visit the nearby Drakensberg Mountains in your free time where awe-inspiring vistas are afforded over the Blyde River Canyon.
  • Live and work alongside Field Guide Association of South Africa, FGASA, qualified guides, growing personally and professionally by learning from their experiences.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Travel to SA to work alongside trained field guides on critical wildlife conservation initiatives while gaining experience needed for a career in conservation. 🇿🇦

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 ...

About the program

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 
On completion of 3 months on this program, you will advance to a 3 month placement within a work environment. You may stay on with us as field staff taking on new responsibilities, or be based at a partner conservation organisation, at a private nature reserve, or an ecotourism lodge catering to tourists.

After successful completion of this internship, you will be offered two career coaching sessions as well as gain access to a job portal. 


JOB GUARANTEE: , 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!




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 ...

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. 
On placement, you will be working as a full time intern. Days can be long but are rewarding! 

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 ...

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 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 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

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.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

at School level

Required Documents

Medical form and Passport copy

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

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 and certification
  • Leading biological surveys course
  • 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)
  • Teamwork and leadership experience
  • Telemetry training as relevant
  • Weekly evaulation with your mentor
  • Welcome meeting
  • Wildlife identification techniques
  • Work placement - if successful during the first 12 weeks of the internship

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Airport and reserve transfers
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • Food during the placement portion of your internship
  • Internal transport to placements
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Visa costs (where necessary)

Airport Pickup at Hoedspruit Airport

Airport pick up available from Hoedspruit Airport within specified time period. 

Accommodation

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.

On placement accommodation is included and may close to your work placement. 


Food & Beverages

Meals are prepared by participants although all ingredients are provided, mostly vegetarian diet and most dietary requirements can be catered for. 

Meals while on placement may not be included so be sure to budget a bit extra to cover these costs. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

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. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

2023

  • 19 Aug 2023
  • 16 Sep 2023
  • 14 Oct 2023
  • 11 Nov 2023
2024
  • 6 January
  • 30th March
  • 22 June
  • 14th September

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

24 weeks 15,045€
Average fees 627€/week

Program fees

627€ per week 24 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

24 - 24 weeks

Deposit

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.


Final Payment

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.


Meet your organization

GVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (189 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

189 reviews Â· rating4.7

Cameron Johnson rating4.6

2023 at Wildlife Conservation Apprenticeship

The program in Limpopo was without a doubt the best experience of my life! Being able to spend 6 months in the African bush is something I will never forget, and even better it felt like I was making a positive impact on the conservation whilst I was there. We also positively influenced the local ...
Angel Love Mendoza rating4.6

2023 at Wildlife Conservation Apprenticeship

It has always been my dream to work with animals and conservation. Joining the gvi team in Limpopo and being able to see wildlife as they should, learning about them, and actually contribute to conservation is a dream come true. Learning the know-hows, living simply, and meeting new people are just ...
Isabelle Cardoen rating4.8

2021 at Wildlife Conservation Apprenticeship

I started this adventure to make a career switch because I'm passionate about wildlife and especially the big mammals. I wanted to switch careers between working with humans to working with animals. Beside some volunteerwork, I didn't have a lot of experience with the bush or the safari life. ..
I had an incredible experience as a wildlife conservation intern in South Africa. We were based in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, which was about 45 min outside of Kruger Park. Each day we spent around 8-10 hours in the field, tracking the local wildlife (mainly the large predators and herbivores) ...
As part of my post graduate studies, I carried out an 8-week wildlife research conservation internship with GVI South Africa, Limpopo. This opportunity allowed me to broaden my horizons within the conservation sector and enable me to develop direct research experience within the field. Working ...
Mary Christensen rating5

2024 at Community Development Internship

GVI is a passionate organization that works diligently to promote life long learners and explorers. As an intern with GVI, I was able to explore the culture of my country of choice, serve a purpose greater than myself, and meet friends all around the world. I highly recommend this program to anyone ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Karongwe Reserve

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