Travel to the Greater Kruger Park and conduct in-field ecological research on Africa’s most iconic wildlife
This advanced program gives Master’s students of biology, ecology, and conservation science a chance to contribute to vital conservation research in South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve, the Greater Kruger National Park.
You’ll join a research center based in Olifants West Nature Reserve and collaborate with an ecological conservation organization dedicated to supporting reserve management in making informed decisions based on scientific evidence. They have a long, accomplished history of responding to varied ecological crises ranging from poaching to elephant-driven tree mortality.
There are typically multiple projects active at the center at any given time, so the focus of your internship will be decided upon application. These projects could have you monitoring populations of certain species, devising strategies to control invasive plant species, or analyzing data from long-term fixed-point photography. You’ll run your conservation research projects, conduct fieldwork in the African Bush, and contribute meaningfully to conservation science.
Learning Objectives
This is a long-standing wildlife conservation organization that works from its research facility in the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa to develop wildlife management practices and strategies. They function as part of a network of wildlife research institutions to devise evidence-based projects to foster successful cohabitation of wildlife and local communities and respond to wildlife conservation crises.
Fueled by their research, the organization collaborates with management teams of wildlife parks and reserves, implements on-the-ground wildlife management and security strategies, and runs community outreach and education programs. With multiple projects on the go at any given time, the organization makes a tangible impact on the conservation of rare species, habitat protection, and anti-poaching efforts.
You’ll play a big role in a small team in this program and will need to work both independently and in collaboration with your team. Your weekly schedule will include fieldwork, team meetings, and lectures on local wildlife. You may also conduct literature reviews, analyze data collected, and write reports – depending on the current need.
We are currently hiring for the following research projects:
Monitoring of Spotted Hyena Crocuta Populations using Spatially Explicit Capture/Recapture Methods
This project seeks to improve the understanding of hyena populations in Olifants West Nature Reserve. The primary goals of the project are to add to the identification database through camera trap surveys and citizen science and use findings to model the demographics of spotted hyenas.
Landscape Modeling in the Absence of Prickly Pear Control in South African Savanna
This project seeks to identify spatial patterns in the distribution of the species and priority areas to improve the effectiveness of control methods. The research aims to create predictive modeling of the spatial spread of prickly pear populations, measure the efficacy of control methods, and produce a guideline document for reserve management.
Interns stay at the Nonwane Research Centre in Olifants West Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park. This center contains a shared house, a communal area, shared kitchens, and bathrooms, and an outdoor protected braai area. Individual rooms are available, each equipped with a personal workspace.
The Research Centre is safe from crime, however being an open camp in a Big 5 area, there are wildlife risks to be aware of. For this reason, interns are accompanied by professional security teams protecting the teams from local wildlife threats.
Power is available throughout the center but is subject to regular load shedding. Wi-Fi and mobile signals are also available in the center.
Interns will prepare their meals in the shared house kitchen. They can plan regular trips to the nearby supermarket and coordinate their meals with other interns in the house.
The research center is located in the Olifants West Nature Reserve which forms part of South Africa’s Greater Kruger Park. This is a Big 5 area of the park so you can expect some incredible wildlife sights from the camp. The camp is also open, meaning wildlife is free to roam through. The area’s climate is hot and semi-arid.
You can start your internship every week with arrivals on Monday.
What you’ll pay (2024 rates)
3 MONTHS USD 3,226
4 MONTHS USD 4,067
6 MONTHS USD 5,748
8 MONTHS USD 7,430
10 MONTHS USD 9,112
12 MONTHS USD 10,794
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!
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
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
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
