Wildlife & ecological research internship
Join a scientific research centre, study wildlife & conservation in South Africa
Placement summary
Who should join this placement?
This placement is ideal for university students looking to volunteer or intern in South Africa with pioneering wildlife research. Join as part of a university placement or to develop career boosting skills while helping support scientific understanding.
Perfect for active individuals wanting to get involved with conservation on the front line of protecting endanger species and habitat while learning these techniques themselves.
Location: Near the Pilanesberg NP, South Africa.
Length: 2 week min - 3 months max.
Group sizes: 3 - 10 average plus trainers
What you'll be doing:
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Rhino hormone sampling as part of behavioural research
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Camera trap surveying
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Bush orientation skills
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Brown hyena research
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Wetland bird & habitat surveying
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Tree, vegetation and veld condition research and indexing
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K-9 anti-poaching patrols
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Nocturnal species surveying
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Bird surveying and research
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Rhino dehorning & vet work
Volunteer and research assistant roles and duties
Based on the heart of a wildlife reserve in South Africa, your safe and secluded research camp is where you and other volunteers or students will research and study the environment and species around you. The reserve is home to many species from the large rhino, giraffe and buffalo to the smaller antelope, mammal, bird and reptiles that give the area its rich biodiversity.
As a team and lead by onsite experts, you’ll leave the camp both on foot and via vehicle each day to collect data, track target animals or species and complete leading research projects that are partnered and backed by international universities.
Monday to Friday
The work week is full time, after a briefing each mornings discussing what projects you’ll be focusing on, head out into the bush with your equipment prepared and objective in mind.
With a variety of different projects you’ll be expected to take part in, the diversity of learning and skill exposure you’ll gain is immense.
Whether you are selecting sites for camera trap placement, removing biological samples for laboratory analysis or surveying on foot and via vehicle to look for target species, each day will involve you learning and applying your knowledge to support scientific and conservation research.
After field work and while back at camp in the evening, you’ll help analysis data, process results or even support research and article writing based on the centres findings.
Weekends and free time
Included in the cost of your placement are weekend offsite activities and adventures, typically these are planned and organised as a group where you’ll get to travel and explore some of the surrounding area: from visits to the nearby pilanesberg national park, sun city or even local historic mining towns.
Join any time
Placements are available throughout the year. Please contact us to arrange your dates.
Long-term placements
Looking for a long-term volunteer or internship more than 3 months?
Contact us us for support.
£565
From per week
What is included?
We have taken care of all the details so you can focus on the adventure of a lifetime!
The placement includes:
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Airport transfers to and from the reserve
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Accommodation during your stay
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Transportation in South Africa
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Project participation
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Food and drink
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Lectures and workshops
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Offsite weekend activities
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All project equipment
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Wi-fi access
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Onsite researcher support
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Meet and greet event in the UK
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Fellow volunteer contact list, to be sent out prior to departure
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24-hour emergency onsite support
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100% financial security with your booking
What is not included?
Please note, we do not book, manage or coordinate the following:
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Flights
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Visa and Immigration requirements
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Vaccinations and health screening/checks
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Personal travel insurance
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Optional activities
Requirements
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Must be above 18
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Able to take part in physical activities
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CV or Resume
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Must have valid travel insurance
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Must have booked return flights
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Must organise any relevant travel and immigration documents
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Must undergo any relevant medical checks and vaccinations
These are your personal responsibility and proof that all requirements have been met must be sent ahead of your arrival.
What you can expect
Pioneering scientific research
Working at a research centre that work with international universities means you’ll be take part with leading scientific research and methodology. An incredible opportunity for anyone serious about a career in conservation, ecology or zoology.
Gain field work skills
Working in field on a South Africa reserve is the best way to build confidence with how to practical work and operate in remote areas, outdoors and with wildlife, this safe reserves offers a unique chance to walk and work alongside rhino and large herbivores.
Understand animal behaviour
From targeting nocturnal species and more elusive animals such as the brown hyena to the regular monitoring of antelope and birds, you’ll be able to observe and analysis behaviour in a natural setting, relating it to research itself or just how to approach animals safely and ethically.
New equipment and techniques
From camera trapping equipment to sampling and storying biological specimens, there are many techniques and tools ecologists and conservations must master. By being able to take part in so many projects, you’ll have an opportunity to practice and gain experience with each in a professional setting.
On foot and via vehicle
The projects you’ll take part in is a mixture of vehicle based and on foot work, vehicles to cover more ground and on foot to slow it down and absorb and record everything. This rare opportunity to work extensively on foot is invaluable for those wanting to gain a detailed understanding of environments and African species.
Optional days – Exploring South Africa
During weekends of, you’ll travel to near by “big 5” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) reserves for a chance to see wildlife not found on your safe and secure reserve, these optional days are included in the cost of your placement and a great way for you to discover South Africa.
