How to Get Wildlife Conservation Internships Abroad
If you’re wondering how to find internships in wildlife conservation, then we’re here to help you find a wildlife conservation internship suited to your goals.
WILDLIFE RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN ZIMBABWE
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MONITOR ANIMALS IN THE AFRICAN BUSH AS PART OF A GREATER CONSERVATION EFFORT
We have an exciting opportunity for students to join a wildlife research internship in Victoria Falls! This is a chance to gain field experience with a wildlife conservation organization within the stunning African bush and be on the forefront of various conservation initiatives.
As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to work with, care for, and monitor both captive and wild animals. In the sanctuary, you will work with lions, spotted hyenas, ostriches, primates, and various large birds. When you are out working in the field, there is an abundance of elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, antelopes, birdlife, and much more. If you are lucky, you may even see the more elusive animals such as leopards and painted dogs.
You’ll be part of a dedicated team of staff, researchers, interns, and volunteers, and you’ll be based in a tented camp in a beautiful wildlife reserve. All this will happen in the most magical setting; not only will you be spending most of your time in the field surrounded by incredible wildlife, but you’ll also be a short drive away from the famous Victoria Falls. During time off, you can enjoy these waterfalls, the welcoming town, boat cruises on the mighty Zambezi River, and plenty of other activities.
Contact us if you’d like to know even more about this adventurous wildlife internship in Zimbabwe!
ORGANIZATION
While on this wildlife conservation internship, you’ll be part of an organization that operates a broad range of wildlife based projects. Their work focuses on camera trap surveys, elephant impact on vegetation, road transects in the National Park, as well as projects surrounding their captive animals, such as lion enrichment studies.
Moreover, they run a range of community support and development initiatives in the neighboring communities. Their wide range of initiatives provides a broad spectrum of opportunities for experiential learning in an African context; an ideal setting for an internship in Africa!
Several papers and publications have arisen from the organization’s research, either authored by the team or by interns. Where possible, the organization also works with other conservation NGOs in the area to support them in their work through the collected data.
Though projects regularly change and evolve, here are some examples of wildlife research programs you might get involved in within Zambezi National Park:
- Monitoring and managing data collection on projects
- Assisting in the management of the reserve and its biodiversity
- Evaluating elephant impact (due to overpopulation of elephants in the KAZA area) on the environment
- Studying the biodiversity of the reserve where you are based
- Conducting mammal transects in the National Park
- Conducting camera trapping, spot ID pattern managing, and bird surveys
- Assisting in daily care and upkeep of captive animals through feeding, cleaning, behavior enrichment, and more
- Researching and analyzing data as part of a captive wildlife enrichment study
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
Participants on this wildlife research internship will be an integral part of the project. You’ll work closely with the research team to collect and analyze data on wildlife in the area. Gain hands-on experience while assisting the conservation of magnificent animals through unique and unforgettable close encounters in their natural habitat.
Responsibilities
Depending on the need and season, you could be involved in the following research:
- Captive Big Cat Sensory Enrichment Research
- Mammal Transects
- Elephant Impact Monitoring
- GPS Use and Data Analysis
- Biodiversity Studies
- Habitat Mapping
- Bird Monitoring
- Vegetation Assessments
- QGIS Data Upload
- Nocturnal Mammal Surveys
- Camera Trapping & Analysis
- Anti-Poaching Initiatives
- Reserve Management
This wildlife management internship allows involvement in all aspects of the project’s captive animal care and research including the creation of new studies, monitoring existing ones, and creating reports that reflect the progress of each research program. All wild and captive animal based research is non-invasive, with the majority being based on observational studies of the animals in their environment, whether wild or captive.
Requirements
- A strong attention to detail along with personal initiative
- Ideally university student, post-graduate, or any level of a relevant study program
- Prior relevant work experience or an understanding of the area of work is a preference
- Preference for candidates that can stay a minimum of 8 weeks in order to be fully immersed in the project and have enough time to conduct research, but shorter stays are sometimes possible as well
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
The volunteer/intern village is a lovely tented camp in the Fuller Forest estate, a 20-drive from Victoria Falls. This wonderful natural area is 2000 hectares of flora and fauna surrounding the camp. You’ll stay in spacious safari tents of 4 to 6 people, with a large ablution block a few steps away. Down time is spent in the lounge, which overlooks a waterhole and allows you to watch animals that come to rehydrate.
Your accommodation during this wildlife research internship will be shared with other interns and project volunteers. It’s basic but comfortable, and provides the perfect venue for building friendships. A cozy lounge offers a relaxing place in the evening for games, movie nights, and other gatherings, while a large dining area plays host at mealtimes.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines, malaria profylaxis, and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. Mosquito nets are not provided, but you are welcome to bring one. There are stands available to hang them.
Communication
Communication
There is a good Wi-Fi connection at your accommodation, or you can opt to buy a local SIM card.
Meals
Meals
Three meals a day are included in the fees.
Location details
Location details
You will based near Victoria Falls meaning that weekends can be spent taking in everything this small and welcoming town has to offer; adrenaline activities, safaris, curio shops, galleries, boutiques, bars, and restaurants – not to mention free roaming baboons, monkeys, and warthogs! A visit to the mighty Victoria Falls themselves is a must too.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
You can start your internship every week with arrivals on Monday.
What you’ll pay in 2023/2024
4 WEEKS USD 3,595
6 WEEKS USD 4,596
8 WEEKS USD 5,595
10 WEEKS USD 6,595
12 WEEKS USD 7,595
Inclusions
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- Shared accommodation in a safari tent (upgrades to a private tent may be available at an additional cost)
- Three meals per day
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Trip to Victoria Falls with the team
- Park access fees
- All project transport
- Laundry service
- Housekeeping service
- Wifi access
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- An orientation program with your supervisor
- Supervision & support during your stay
- Regular check-ins during your internship with you and your supervisor
- Access to workshops with a focus on career development
- Troubleshooting if needed
- A reference letter at the end of your internship
Exclusions
- Flights to Victoria Falls
- Visa, permit (for stays longer than 4 weeks), and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
PROJECT FOCUS: Wildlife Conservation
TASK FOCUS: Wildlife Research, Conservation
LENGTH: Min. 4 weeks
COST: From USD 3,595
REVIEWS
“This internship exceeded my expectations. The work was exactly as i hoped it would be and I was able to learn a lot about local people, the wildlife, photography, animal tracking, and about my own goals. I learned a lot about human and animal interactions and why the conservation work is so important. The experiences confirmed for me that i really want to work in this field. I'm very proud that i was able to contribute to this organization and their work and I'm proud that i was able to learn so much.”
Simon, GermanyWildlife research internship
READ MORE REVIEWS
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gain field experience in wildlife research and conservation
- Develop your data collection, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting skills
- Opportunity to get involved with community support and development initiatives
- Live and work in the African bush surrounded by amazing wildlife
- Visit the stunning Victoria Falls, enjoy boat cruises on the Zambezi rivers, and visit the friendly towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone (in Zambia)
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
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.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
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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