Help spread awareness of the endangered status of the ground hornbill in South African communities
Here’s a wonderful opportunity to join a South African conservation charity on a mission to protect the ground hornbill, an endangered African bird. As a conservation education intern, you’ll help the organization spread important information on the ground hornbill in local communities; a diverse and exciting internship in a stunning natural environment.
The threats to the ground hornbill’s survival are multiple, and the approach to the bird’s conservation needs to be multifaceted. An important element is spreading awareness in local South African communities, where various superstitions and wrong assumptions prevail about the bird. As an intern, you’ll assist with mapping these beliefs, developing effective education materials, and ensuring the team is properly supported to make the most impact in the field.
This conservation education internship provides an opportunity to implement research into practical education, while getting a grasp of the day-to-day running of a wildlife conservation project. It’s also an opportunity to live and work in the African bush, as you’ll be based in a Big Five game reserve if you choose to travel.
Learning Outcomes:
The Ground Hornbill Project is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the ground hornbill, an iconic bird that is classified as ‘endangered’ in South Africa. The threats to this iconic bird are multiple; their habitat is decreasing, they suffer from secondary poisoning, and they get electrocuted by transformer boxes. Moreover, ground hornbills are killed for traditional medicine, and sometimes targeted because of their territorial behavior.
To fight the drastic decline of the ground hornbill populations across Southern and East Africa, the Ground Hornbill Project has taken a multi-faceted approach that includes research, the provision of artificial nests, and the complex rearing and reintroduction of redundant second-hatched chicks that would naturally die of starvation. To fight misconceptions about ground hornbills, and reduce incentives for killing the birds, the nonprofit also runs education campaigns in local communities.
The Ground Hornbill Project is based in Mabula, a game reserve north of Johannesburg, but its work spans across the African continent. It’s the only organization fully dedicated to the preservation of the ground hornbill.
You’ll be assisting the outreach team who conducts research and workshops in the local communities. As a conservation education intern, your role will be in the preparation and evaluation portion of the outreach activities, as participation in the educational field work requires local language knowledge. Your tasks may vary depending on your skills and the needs of the project, but they will likely include some of the following;
This organization offers the unique opportunity of a hybrid internship. This flexible arrangement is not just possible but also preferred, as it allows interns to fully engage with the dedicated team and contribute meaningfully to their projects, while enjoying the benefits of both virtual and on-site collaboration.
If you decide to travel to South Africa, you’ll join the Mabula team in the African bush and get to live and work in a game reserve, surrounded by wildlife. Your accommodation is a five minutes drive from the office and you will have your own room, access to the common room, shared kitchen (where you can prepare your meals), and a swimming pool.
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. You are not located in a malaria risk area, so the people who live here do not take malaria medication. If you have traveled to a country with yellow fever risk, be sure to have a yellow fever certificate as this can be needed upon arrival. As the project is located in the bush, you’ll be advised to follow animal safety guidelines and learn about the cultural norms of the surrounding community.
You will be able to use your mobile phone in South Africa if you enable international roaming before you leave home. A cheaper alternative is to buy a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked for international carriers. You can go to most shops with your passport to buy a local SIM card (MTN and Vodacom are the main carriers). You can buy prepaid airtime at many smaller and bigger shops and then convert airtime to a data bundle if needed.
Your accommodation has a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals (or team up with other interns/volunteers for cooking). Usually the grocery shopping is worked around the project town trips (when supplies need to be picked up or the vehicles are due for a service). If you need groceries or toiletries urgently, there is a small superette shop at the game reserve’s main lodge.
During this internship, you’ll get to live and work in a game reserve surrounded by wildlife. You might wake up to elephants roaming past your room, lions roaring in the distance, and monkeys playing on the roof. The nearest town, Bela Bela, is about 45 minutes from the reserve.
Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with your during the selection process.
NOTE: applications are open starting January 2026
What you’ll pay (2025 rates)
8 weeks USD 2,371
12 weeks USD 3,018
16 weeks USD 3,666
20 weeks USD 4,313
26 weeks USD 5,283
Remote internship: USD 595
Hybrid internship: get in touch for customized pricing
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.
During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.
Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.
Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.
Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.TEST
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
