Wildlife Conservation Internship | South Africa

About the programme:

Join for 4 to 12 weeks, live on a 35,000 hectare “Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) reserve in South Africa. Play a key role in long term wildlife behavioral research and ecological management projects. Gain experience and shape scientific understanding!

At the base of a valley on an open savannah you’ll find your bush camp. By day you’ll be visited by the reserves Rhino, Wildebeest and other plains animals and at night you’ll hear the call of Hyena and Jackal as they patrol just outside the fence.

From camp, you’ll take part in your daily conservation work.

Work hours:

Full time Monday to Saturday, with Sundays off for rest or for a chance to take part in optional activities in the area or days out.

You’ll start most days between 7 – 8am. Ensuring you beat the heat of and are up when the animals are most active, the morning. Due to the reserves size, you’ll bring lunch with you to eat in the bush.

Each day your biomonitoring officers and ecologists will brief you with the details of each conservation project. You’ll understand the goals, methodologies and history of the projects and as a team, begin capturing data, observing and recording animal behaviour or assisting during animal interventions, feeding or vet work and how you will be contributing.

By the end of your placement you’ll have a deep familiarity of cutting edge wildlife research and ecological management in South Africa!

Projects you'll work on:

- Rhino behavioural research including ID kit usage

- Vegetation surveys (Grasses and Trees)

- Game transects and population surveys

- Elephant behavioural research

- Apex predator mortality monitoring

- Radio collar tracking

- Camera trap surveying

- Assisting with emergency animal call outs including vet intervention or animal re-introduction.

Highlights:

●    Leave a long lasting impact – Each project has long term goals and objectives, you’ll be contributing to South Africa scientific and conservation work, protecting nature.

●    Discover South Africa – Living on a wildlife reserve is filled with incredible sights, sounds and experiences. Make incredible memories as a team of passionate conservationists.

●    Learn from the experts – You’ll work under the wing of people who eat, sleep and dream wildlife. Gain firsthand knowledge and practical experience from those who know it best.

●    Transferable skills – The skills you’ll gain as you complete your conservation projects are world class. Take these skills with you into your conservation career and studies.

●    Get up close and personal – Meet Africa’s iconic and enigmatic wildlife via safari viewer and on foot. A life changing experience.

Our placements include:

- Food and drink

- Accommodation

- Projects and conservation activities

- Equipment

- Transport

- Guides and team leaders

- Airport transfers

- 24/7 on site support

- UK meet and greet

Join us today

If you’re a student that thinks protecting nature and conservation is important or are studying or interested in a career in professional conservation, contact us today and work on our projects!

https://www.hambaafrica.co.uk/volunteer-long-term

Scholarships and grants

To help support the next generation of processional conservationists, we offer a Scholarship and Grant program. If eligible, the grant will be awarded to help enable you to take part in this opportunity. Eligible for anyone studying, volunteering or working with conservation and wildlife already, or even for low income students studying though existing scholarships or student loan programs and wanting to protect nature.

Our scholarship and grant program has been created to help give you a boost, act as a stepping stone with your own conservation goals, and foster environmental awareness among students!

For information about eligibility and to develop your conservation and wildlife ambitions contact us today.