• Life On Land

Wildlife Conservation Internship

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

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.

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.

    • Especially good for

    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 

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


    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. 

    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 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 

    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

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    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
    • 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 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.

    Food & Beverages

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


    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

    2025

    • 04 Jan 2025
    • 18 Jan 2025
    • 01 Feb 2025
    • 15 Feb 2025
    • 01 Mar 2025
    • 15 Mar 2025
    • 29 Mar 2025
    • 12 Apr 2025
    • 26 Apr 2025
    • 10 May 2025
    • 14 May 2025
    • 07 Jun 2025
    • 21 Jun 2025
    • 05 Jul 2025
    • 19 Jul 2025
    • 02 Aug 2025
    • 16 Aug 2025
    • 30 Aug 2025
    • 13 Sep 2025 
    • 27 Sep 2025
    • 11 Oct 2025
    • 25 Oct 2025
    • 08 Nov 2025
    • 22 Nov 2025
    • 06 Dec 2025
    • 20 Dec 2025

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

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 4,195€
    6 weeks 5,395€
    8 weeks 6,245€
    10 weeks 7,195€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 8,245€
    Average fees 867€/week

    Program fees

    867€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 12 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

    Excellent 4.8 rating (221 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 1998

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high 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.

    221 reviews · rating4.8

    Lariah Tissue rating4.8

    2024 at Wildlife Conservation Internship

    U18 Program, GVI GVI has allowed me to find my passion for biology, and narrow down which field specifically i would like to study. This experience has allowed me to make lifetime, long friends and connect with others around the globe. I was able to volunteer throughout communities and help local ...
    Felicia Manning rating5

    2022 at Wildlife Conservation Internship

    I just finished my 8-week Virtual Wildlife Conservation Internship with GVI and it was wonderful. I was partnered with two great organizations, one was from Southeast Asia and the other was from California, and they both do awesome conservation work. Without the internship I wouldn't have been able ...
    Freja Hardsner rating4.8

    2022 at Wildlife Conservation Internship

    If you're considering this, do yourself a favour and do it <3 Not only did I get a look into a field I'm very curius about careerwise (wildlife research), I also got my passion for nature and wildlife renewed with a curiousity and wonder I thought I'd lost in childhood. I've also made amazing ...
    Shauna Urquhart rating5

    2018 at Wildlife Conservation Internship

    "After finishing uni and graduating with a zoology degree, I decided to apply for the wildlife conservation internship in Limpopo. Living and working in the bushveld for 6 weeks was one of the most inspiring and unforgettable experiences of my life! It has always been a lifelong goal of mine to work ...
    I choose to volunteer Karongwe, South Africa program for a month this past September. I found it quite exciting as well as educational. The experience made my passion for wildlife conservation even stronger (I also participated in an another conservation in Namibia in the past). The staff was very ...
    GVI was one of the best experiences of my life, i was a participant on the U18 costa rica trip! This program allowed me to interact with new people and make lifelong friendships, but also i was able to experience a new culture and be up close to a wide range of wildlife. If you are reading this and ...

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Karongwe Reserve

    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in South Africa
    Contact Bianca
      Very high response rate
    English

    Most volunteers ask about

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