Overview
South African National Parks Volunteer Program

On this South African program volunteers are instrumental in the development of South Africa’s National Parks (SANParks), and gain high-profile work experience with one of GVI’s one-year internship programs. Having been placed with the People and Conservation (P & C) department at one of the parks, you will work alongside social ecologists and focus on the development of environmental education and community development projects aimed at integrating the local communities into conservation efforts and development programs.

The placement includes a two-week training course at Kruger National Park which includes first aid and ranger training. Although no specific experience is necessary, each park has its individual requirements and GVI will match interns to the appropriate parks. This program is ideal for any volunteer seriously considering a career in conservation.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

A rollercoaster full of wonderful impressions, amazing landscapes, unique people, different thoughts, precious flora, great discoveries, new friendships, beautiful animals, mysterious cultures.

Kristel Ottoy, 2007 Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Volunteers will be working in the People and Conservation department. This is a new department within SANParks which has a new philosophy and approach to conservation in which ecology, cultural and socio- economic issues are recognised in the management of the national parks. The process is interdisciplinary, participative, community-orientated and educational. It seeks to facilitate partnerships that are beneficial to both the national parks and the neighbouring communities. It is the cutting edge solution to removing visible and invisible fences of the past, since it will establish links and partnerships to benefit both parties, while at the same time protecting the natural resources.

Highlights

Living in the most spectacular locations in South Africa, Learning about conservation in National Parks, Training fortnight in Kruger National Park, Five day tour of parks with fellow volunteers, Working with local communities and amazing wildlife encounters, Diverse adventure opportunities; such as game viewing, camping, hikking, bush walks and canoeing and white water rafting.

Location

Volunteers will arrive in Johannesburg before attending a 2 week training course at Kruger National Park. After the course volunteers are transferred to the park they have been assigned to. This could be a coastal park such as Tsitsikamma on the Garden Route, or a wild arid park such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier park. Each park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and extremely important for the future of South Africa.

Field Conditions

Depending on your allocated park, you will live within beautiful landscapes from wild savannahs to mountains and coastal plateaus. All volunteers will have basic accommodation in the parks, which have shared facilities with other park staff. The majority of the accommodation has electricity and running water. You buy and prepare your own food.