Get up close and personal with big game on our wildlife conservation internship in South Africa
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Program Overview
You will gain once in a lifetime field experience working on projects to conserve the likes of lions, leopards, cheetah, elephants and rhinos. Learn to track animals through the bush, master radio telemetry techniques and sleep under the spectacular African stars, all while living and working alongside FGASA qualified Field Guides.
This internship combines a 12-week training expedition in the bush, with a 12-week work placement. During your work placement you will have the opportunity to experience life working at either a local conservation organization or a safari lodge.
For completing this internship you will also receive the internationally recognized Certification in Biological Surveys (BTEC).
Life on the Program
At dawn and at dusk, most of your time will be spent tracking and observing big game with your team. Your job will be gathering important data to be analyzed and used to improve and launch future preservation efforts.
Between your work shifts out in the bush, you will have the opportunity to train in all aspects of a career in the field, from animal research and data processing to camp maintenance.
On base you will share your space with other like-minded GVI volunteers and interns, all of who have traveled far and wide to work on this critical project.
Program Details
GVI gathers data around local animal species populations and the conditions of their surrounding habitat to give an accurate picture of current challenges many of these species are facing. This vital information is used to maintain a healthy balance of natural resources and ultimately to help conserve some of Africa’s most precious wildlife.
Here are some examples of the initiatives that this project works on:
- Detailed monitoring of predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena
- Monitoring and tracking of significant food sources for main predators
- Habitat observation and restoration
Local community outreach to teach local children about our efforts and the importance of conservation
Volunteer Testimonials
There is so much to say and so much I have seen with a group of people from all around the world with similar interests. It was the most memorable time of my life. Some of the highlights: seeing lions less than 5m away, hyenas nosing around the land rover, seeing elephants on foot 10m away and then hearing three more just 15m behind us – how can something so big be so quiet! Other favourite moments include walking on on the cheetah and tracking (and trying to keep up with a) rhino on foot for 40 minutes.
Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Internationally recognised course in Supervision of Biological Survey Techniques
- National park fees and permits as necessary
- The comprehensive training necessary for research techniques
- An Emergency First Aid course
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Airport and reserve transfers
