Hi, my name is Karen and I’m one of the Program Managers at Intern Abroad HQ. Particularly, I work with our internships in South Africa, where there are amazing opportunities for students and young professionals to gain the best resume-building experiences! Come with me, as I address some of your FAQs and take you around to see some of our Environmental Science internships.
Want to get involved? These are great internships for anyone who is passionate about wildlife and conservation. These internship experiences are ideal for students or recent graduates with an interest in developing practical skills related to environmental conservation. They’re also great for career changers who are passionate about conservation. Previous experience is not required but interns should ideally have a relevant academic background and willingness to apply themselves to both research components and fieldwork activities. All interns must have an adequate level of fitness as these are hands-on internships where you are not behind a desk.
Our step-by-step guide on how it works provides you with more information on how to get started. The process is user friendly - just submit your application to get the ball rolling. It doesn’t cost anything to apply and won’t take more than 5 minutes. However, your formal expression of interest provides the foundation for us to help you take the next steps.
Reserve Management & Research Internship at Kruger National Park
Where is this internship based?:
The Reserve Management & Research internships are located at Balule in the Greater Kruger National Park. The camp itself is located about 50 kilometers from Hoedspruit. The laidback site has a true safari feel - it is not uncommon to see African wildlife grazing throughout the day. There are sweeping views over the Olifants River and distant Drakensberg mountains, with large trees providing ample shade. You can see some of our photos here.
What do interns get involved with?:
This internship includes a reserve management component and specialized project activities, data collection and research elements within this program. Interns do their game drives early in the morning and before sunset, to do either a bird count or game transect, where they count all the birds or mammals along the route and collect the relevant data of each animal spotted.
The game drives are very interactive in nature as the camp managers will show you what kind of species the animal is and their age from the animal tracks, what the animal’s diet is from their droppings, etc… Seeing an animal like a hyena right in front of your eyes is a very surreal and unforgettable experience that will be imprinted in your memory for a long time!
On every second day, interns get to do camera trapping where they will change all of the memory cards of the infrared cameras along a 3km route. The cameras capture and monitor the movements of nocturnal animals like the African civet, jackal and leopards. The data collected is then inputted into a comprehensive biodiversity database that is used for conservation purposes.
In the afternoons (when it’s usually hotter, depending on the time of year), interns will get to attend mini lectures where they will learn about bushcraft such as animal tracks, identification and behavior, dealing with potentially dangerous game, orientation and navigation techniques, and basic bush skills for health and safety - the lectures are super interesting and I learned more here than from watching a National Geographic documentary!
Besides this, interns also get involved with vegetation sampling and general reserve management labor where they will get to do (for example) a Marula tree survey to see how many trees are surviving - as the elephants love the marula fruit and will end up damaging the tree in their attempts to consume the fruit! The trees are protected by laying a ring of rocks around the base of the trees. Other kinds of reserve management work like removal of alien plant species are also carried out.
What is the accommodation like?:
Reserve Management & Research interns are accommodated in dormitory style accommodation and the rooms are equipped with bunk beds, mattresses and sheets. Interns must bring their own towels and sleeping bags. Expect to share the rooms with one to seven others. Efforts are always made to accommodate genders separately. However, same-sex dormitories cannot be guaranteed, as this depends on the gender ratio of program participants who are on camp at any given time. A private room “accommodation upgrade” can be booked in advance - please note that this is subject to availability.
Camp living is basic but comfortable. Bathrooms are separate and have warm and cold running water, as well as standard toilet facilities. There is an outside dining area and braai (BBQ) area (known as a ‘lapa’) where interns enjoy their meals and socialize in the evenings, as well as an outside swimming pool and open-air lounge. Interns share responsibility for daily cleaning duties and are expected to maintain cordial relationships with fellow program participants and staff. All the information is outlined here and you can also see some pictures.
GIS & Reserve Management Internships in Gondwana Game Reserve
Where is this internship based?:
The GIS & Reserve Management internship program is located at a private game reserve - the Gondwana Game Reserve - situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. Here, you can find free-roaming “Big Five” game. The Gondwana Game Reserve is rich in wildlife and this is a closed reserve with over 15 varieties of antelopes, 17 carnivore species, the Big Five, and hundreds of general game animals. You can see some of our photos here.
What do interns get involved with?:
The GIS & Reserve Management program comprises of Reserve Management plus the following GIS components:
1. Preparation: Interns to spend time familiarizing themselves with GIS prior to the internship and they will have access to an online introduction to GIS once they confirm their participation.
2. Biomonitoring: Upon arrival, they will assist in field studies to gain data collection experience and there is Field Ecologist on-site to support them.
3. Assist in a real-world GIS conservation project: They will complete a project with data that they have collected to undertake a project which will utilize their GIS and bio-monitoring skills
Interns will learn about conservation efforts via learning how to use GIS software, mapping techniques, data collection and application. Interns will get to go on game drives in the field for research where they will assist in surveys, game transects and camera trapping.
What is the accommodation like?:
This is as rustic as it can get - just like a true safari experience. Interns are accommodated in shared safari tents (2-4 people per tent) on raised platforms. Each tent is equipped with beds, an overhead light, bedside tables and lamps, cupboards and USB charging stations. Bathrooms are equipped with a gas hot-water shower, toilet and basin are located on site. Each bathroom unit will be shared by between two to four people.
Interns are also responsible for daily cleaning of their own living space. As everyone on reserve camps live together in a group environment, interns are expected to maintain cordial relationships with fellow program participants and reserve staff. Common areas of the camp include a fully equipped lecture/lounge area with power, tables and chairs, comfy couches, and a library of guide books, scientific readings, maps and equipment. There are facilities on-site for hand-washing your laundry.
There is also a BBQ area where interns will have the opportunity to experience a South African style braai. It’s priceless to sit under the stars, listen to stories around a campfire and enjoy a rustic meal with good company! All the information is outlined here and you can also see some pictures.
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