Be exposed to the day-to-day operations of a wildlife vet at a rehabilitation center in Malawi
If you’re looking for a hands-on animal medicine internship abroad, this Wildlife Veterinary Internship in Malawi offers a unique opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills. You’ll join a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center and, alongside an experienced veterinarian team, you’ll assist with a variety of treatments and evaluations.
You’ll be part of a wildlife conservation nonprofit based in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. This well-established organization is on a mission to protect local wildlife by rescuing injured animals, protecting habitats and biodiversity, running conservation education programs, and providing a sanctuary for a range of wildlife.
As part of this placement, you’ll focus on veterinary treatments of animals such as baboons, small antelope, serval, porcupines, and any other animals that may be brought into the center. You’ll learn how to care for wildlife, which is vital for vets to ensure you can identify baseline health parameters, identify behavioral change, and pick up on sick/injured animals quickly. You’ll assist on the Veterinary side during the morning and the Rehabilitation side of the sanctuary each afternoon, offering an all-round experience in wildlife care and conservation.
Learning Objectives
You’ll join a wildlife conservation organization in Lilongwe, Malawi. This nonprofit is dedicated to protecting local wildlife, and they do this through a number of programs, including;
As a Veterinary intern in Malawi, you’ll work from Tuesday – Saturday and your tasks will include;
OPTIONAL INTERNSHIP ADD-ON
An optional Wildlife Veterinary Field Course is available for clinical-year veterinary students who want additional hands-on experience. This short program builds on the Wildlife Veterinary Internship and offers practical exposure to wildlife health monitoring, rehabilitation, disease management, and small-animal clinical work through supervised field and clinic activities in Malawi. Availability is limited and runs at set times during the year. Contact us to learn more about dates and pricing.
You’ll stay at a comfortable shared house with other interns and volunteers, right in the 180-acre the sanctuary is based in. The reserve is home to a range of wildlife, including antelopes, small carnivores, hyenas, and crocodiles, so you’ll find yourself staying in a wonderful natural environment. The house features six bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, two bathrooms, a laundry space, and a garden with an outdoor deck. Wifi and cleaning services, including laundry, are provided. Nestled in the heart of the sanctuary, the accommodation offers an immersive bush experience—unwinding by the fire in the evenings while soaking in the sounds of the surrounding wilderness.
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. A rabies vaccine is strongly recommended and we do not advise you to come for a placement without it; animal care tasks will be limited and you will be required to sign a waiver if you choose not to have the vaccination. Additionally, the organization requires you to take a TB test (and receive a negative test result) as even if you have been vaccinated against TB, you may still be a carrier of the disease and pass it onto the animals.
Wifi access is limited in Malawi, so interns are recommended to purchase a local SIM card to stay connected to loved ones. Your host organization will assist you with a local SIM card, so make sure your phone is unlocked before travelling.
Meals are cooked by the in-house chef every day except on Sundays, when you can sample local restaurants in the nearby urban areas, or order takeaway meals. The menu is vegetarian with a mix of international and local dishes. It’s recommended to only drink water from bottles (filtered water is provided on-site).
You’ll be based in the capital, Lilongwe, which is a bustling and vast city. Although you’ll spend most of your time on the project, you’ll have the weekends to explore the area and get a glimpse into Malawian city life. There are plenty of markets to visit, hikes to climb, and people to meet in this energetic location. You’ll also be less than 2 hours away from Lake Malawi, the third-largest lake in Africa.
The start/arrival date is every week on a Tuesday. Start and end dates will be discussed with you during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2025 rates)
2 weeks GBP 2,009
4 weeks GBP 2,885
6 weeks GBP 3,543
8 weeks GBP 4,181
10 weeks GBP 4,672
12 weeks GBP 5,129
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Malawi.
You can expect to foster a unique connection with the local community, as well as having many opportunities to explore various projects during your internship. If you wish to know more about what to expect, make sure to read our blog from a previous intern who traveled to Malawi!
The minimum length of our internships in Malawi is two months, but the ideal length is closer to four months, if possible. This ensures you have an adequate amount of time to make a tangible impact. Luckily, the length of our programs is customizable so you can apply for a summer, remote, hybrid, or gap-year internship!
Yes, but you must ensure with your supervisor that your university approves this. You can also purchase transfer credits to add onto your internship experience.
Personally, you can prepare by learning about the history and culture of Malawi and reflecting on your internship goals, and we’ll be here to help you with the rest! Ask us any questions you may have about placement logistics, matchmaking, check-ins, advice on visa/insurance, or anything else you may think of. If you wish to know more about preparing for your internship, you can check out our ultimate guide to NGO internships in Africa!
Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any kind of stipend while interning for a nonprofit organization. Your internship will be unpaid so we’ve put together a few tips on how to fund your internship. There will be opportunities for professional and personal growth and you’ll leave with a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form and share your CV with us.
We’ll set up a call to get to know a bit more about you and your internship goals.
Your placement manager will confirm with the host organization that you are qualified for their current projects.
When your host site confirms that your application is being given strong consideration, verify your interest with a USD $250 deposit.
Meet with your host organization and move forward with your new role. We’re excited to help you plan your international internship!
If you’d like to ask us some questions about our internships, fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
"*" indicates required fields
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
SOCIAL
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
