Join Intern Abroad HQ, the world's most affordable international internship organization, and invest in your future with a Wildlife, Ecology & Anthropological Research Internship in South Africa.

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Wildlife Research interns support multidisciplinary projects and field research, contributing to the local and broader scientific community. Ongoing long-term projects rely on standardized data collection, including field research, analysis, and write-up requirements. Wildlife research projects can range from feeding ecology, wildlife social behavior, and movement patterns of animals. Ecological projects can involve alien plant species impact, tree ecology studies, and sustainable cultivation of indigenous plants, and trees with commercial significance. Anthropological research is run through a partner business, for Craft Art Development. It focuses on oral culture and social enterprise. All research focus areas are subject to availability and season.

This program ranges from 4-24 weeks and has start dates every Monday throughout the year.

Your fully-hosted experience includes sourcing of your internship placement, personalization of your project plan, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and onsite student support. See our full list of fees and inclusions on our website.
Suitable for interns with an academic focus in mind. This can be flexible for people who are studying and/or working in the environmental sector and would like to learn more about research in conservation. Interns must have the willingness and physical ability to conduct outdoor fieldwork (up to 6 hours per day and ability to walk approx. 4 to 10 km). Resilience to variations of weather and climate is required. Plan your internship with the season and climate in mind.

This internship is conducted in English.
South Africa is a prime destination for wildlife, ecology and anthropological research opportunities. If you’re passionate about field work experience that will make a mark, while providing the adventure of a lifetime, this is for you! Whether you’re interested in a discipline specific or interdisciplinary research opportunity to set your internship apart, you’ll discover enriching opportunities at the Mogalakwena Game Reserves, to accommodate diverse academic requirements and personal interests.

All Wildlife, Ecology & Anthropological Research Internships are hosted together, via the same Research Centre. Located within the Mogalakwena Game Reserves, within the Waterberg Biosphere of northern Limpopo, you’ll be situated near the beautiful Mogalakwena River. This exclusive reserve features giraffes and other iconic species, such as herbivores (antelope) and primates (Vervet monkey troops). This exceptional region of South Africa is a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. The Waterberg Biosphere contains archaeological finds dating to the Stone Age and rock paintings. Wildlife on the Mogalakwena Reserve is diverse with 16 herbivores, 16 carnivores, 4 primates and 310 bird species having been identified on the reserve. This small, private reserve does not have typically dangerous game (i.e. there are no buffalo, elephants, cheetah or lion), however African leopards are a common visitor. The reserve mainly has free-roaming giraffes, ostrich, jackals, brown hyena (and the very occasional hippopotamus).

Interns receive comprehensive support via orientation, instruction of project methodology, and field supervision. The on-site Research Manager has a Ph.D and oversees all research. Other onsite supervisors have achieved Masters degrees. The spirit of this internship program lies in a desire to create and inspire new generations of scientists. Interns can expect weekly meetings, progress reports, research deadlines, and assistance with all aspects of project work - from conceptualization, creating research questions, learning about scientific method, generating a hypothesis, and development of data analysis. Outside of this structure, all interns are expected to independently conduct daily research and data collection requirements, according to topic(s) of interest. The last week of your internship will be dedicated to the presentation of findings.

Project availability can be impacted by seasonality and popularity of choice. Preferences are supported and accommodated as much as possible but some flexibility may be required. If you are interested in learning a new research method or if you wish to study specific research questions, please discuss these with us in advance.

Broad Wildlife research topics include:

• Species competition and interaction (e.g. burrow occupancy, nesting cavities, competition between African civet and the black-backed jackal, herbivore water usage).
• Species vigilance (e.g. Vervet monkey troops and herbivores)
• Behavioral adaptations of species to climate change (e.g. behavioral patterns and site selection by arachnids, micro-habitat selection of reptiles, behavioral thermoregulation in giraffes, influence of environmental factors on avian density and diversity, influence of temperature and rainfall on baobab water content, effect of high temperatures on breeding success of hornbills - November to March only).
• Monitoring of populations (e.g.Dung Beetle abundance and diversity, monitoring of reptile and amphibian diversity, African civet latrine use, invertebrate inventory and update of collection, invasive plant species identification, distribution and control).

Other:

• Carbon footprint assessment
• GIS projects
• Small mammal trapping
• Oral culture - Bapedi, Bahananwa, Batlokwa and Babirwa - Northern Sotho culture (Anthropology)
• Edible insects of the Blouberg region (Anthropology)

Optional Horticulture / Botanical business focus areas:

• Integrated pest management
• Ecosystem services
• Bioprospecting
• Sustainable production of Marula and Baobab fruits
• Domestication of emerging indigenous crops
• Elicitation of bioactive properties and medicinal compounds

Intern Abroad HQ's South Africa programs are available year-round, with start dates every Monday.

Intern Abroad HQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs. Check out our intern reviews on our website.

We match you with innovative and entrepreneurial host organizations around the world that give you the opportunity to make a real contribution on high-impact projects with the support of travel experts with an outstanding safety system and track record.

Our experiential learning approach provides a structured and guided platform for you to think critically about your experiences on your internship. It accelerates and deepens your learning by asking self-reflective questions around the contexts, actions, and outcomes of your placement.

Academic credit is available on all experiences for an additional fee, through our School of Record partnerships with University of Montana (1-5 credits) and Warren Wilson College (6-16 credits). Talk to your academic advisor to understand if you can apply these transfer credits toward your degree at your home institution.

We offer flexible booking and free changes so you can register with confidence.
Apply for free: Complete an online application form via the Intern Abroad HQ website.

• Select your start date and duration: All Intern Abroad HQ programs are available year-round and you can choose to intern for durations on this program ranging from 4 to 24 weeks.
• Complete your registration: After you have been accepted on your chosen program, you can secure your place by paying the Deposit.
• Pay your Balance: This is due 60 days before your program starts.

Need to make changes to your booking? You can make free unlimited changes to your destination, project and dates up until 60 days before you start.