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The Wildlife Research and Conservation program gives wildlife enthusiasts, volunteers, students, scientists and interns of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to get involved in conservation, research and wildlife management. Participants spend five days per week assisting in various capacities of research and wildlife conservation. Assistance is given through field work (data collection, behavior observations, trail camera deployment), entering and analyzing data, maintaining trail cameras and analyzing their photos. We leave evenings and weekends open which allows the chance to explore South Africa and take part in various cultural and tourist activities. Based in the beautiful coastal town of Hartenbos, South Africa our participants have a unique experience of working hands on in conservation on a free roaming wildlife reserve while living within walking distance to our pristine blue flag beaches.
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Operating with the embodiment of Nkonzo Wildlife Research ideals and goals, the mantra of “Educate Act Empower” is nowhere more evident than in the Wildlife Research and Conservation Program. Participants are assisting in critical hands on research and conservation initiatives in the field that impact the wildlife and environment in both short and long term goals and solutions. These two areas, Educate and Act, work together to foster and facilitate the most important aspect of these ideals, to Empower. Through hands-on initiatives and education one leaves Nkonzo Wildlife Research with a better understanding of the problems plaguing African wildlife, the efforts being made to assuage these issues, and how they can continue to work with conservation and make a change for the better of wildlife, ecosystems, and our planet.
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When participating in the Wildlife Research and Conservation program volunteers, interns and students are involved in various research and conservation initiatives and projects within the game reserve. Projects and initiatives are peer-reviewed and foundational concepts to improve the welfare and understanding of wildlife in and outside protected areas. Primary work is dedicated to field observations and duties, data management and wildlife management assistance. All participants rotate through the various initiatives at Nkonzo Wildlife Research when participating in the Wildlife Research and Conservation Program, this includes our research.
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Current work is being done on white rhino social behavior, hyaenid resource use in Fynbos, behavioral flexibility of bovids and wildlife fatality on roads. As a volunteer, intern, or student you will be working alongside the team to observe, collect data, develop projects, and data entry. Please keep in mind that time spent on the various projects will be determined by monthly quotas, weather, and animal cooperation. Training in “bush basics” such as survival, track and sign, reading animal behavior, and ethical approach methods will also be provided. The team takes great pride in only ethical operations and approaches and find it important to provide the information and understanding as to why we operate in the field the way we do.
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All participants must be of reasonably good health, physically and mentally. Participants will be required to work days and partial days on foot (the other days will be spent primarily in a vehicle/stationary). During on foot days the team hikes to access the areas needed to complete our work. Volunteers, interns and students must be able to hike up and down hills and across this terrain whilst carrying their own backpack that contains their provided lunch, drinking water, personal snacks, additional layers (weather dependent), and their share of the day’s equipment such as nets, camera traps, clipboards, binoculars, reference books etc.
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Participants will be met by one of our team members at George Airport (GRJ), South Africa to be transported to their accommodation. Once at the facility participants will be given a tour of the accommodation as well as appropriate introductions and instructions for the remainder of the day. The following day will be our orientation and safety Introduction which will include reserve operations, living in South Africa, recommended areas such as beaches, restaurants, shops and introductions on the research and conservation work they will be assisting on during their time here. Depending on schedules, orientation may be done on day of arrival. The next day will begin with field operations. Arriving and departing flights should be scheduled to and from George Airport (GRJ), South Africa.
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The following is a tentative schedule that we follow each week (Monday to Friday).
07:30 Breakfast 08:00 Depart for Field Work 09:00 Begin Data Collection or Training 12:30 Packed Lunch on the Reserve 13:15 Continue Data Collection or Training 16:00 Finish Field Work Free Time |
Participants are required to provide at least two face masks that needs to be worn during the field operations. Alcohol based sanitizer is provided for field activities and equipment/vehicles are sanitized daily. Participants should provide sanitizer for personal use after hours.
We ask that all volunteers, interns and students understand that our work is conducted on a free roaming reserve of 11,000ha (27181 Acres). and that schedules may change based on animal locations, accessibility, weather, and other factors. |
All of our volunteers, interns, and students stay together in the pristine town of Hartenbos.
Various activities can be booked for weekends. Nkonzo Wildlife Research also leads multiple weekend trips (2 or 3 nights) to lesser known areas of the Western and Northern Cape that are exclusive to our volunteers. Please note, these weekend activities are not included and will be available at an additional cost. |
Shared accommodation
Basic cold breakfast 7 days per week (Cereals) Packed Lunch Monday-Friday Conservation fees Daily access to game reserve Project related transported 24/7 emergency standby team Guided research and management activities All training material Housekeeping Airport Transfer (GRJ) Unlimited WiFi |
Dinners (fully equipped self-catering kitchen available and restaurants within walking distance)
Weekend Lunches (fully equipped self-catering kitchen available and restaurants within walking distance) Curios and other souvenirs Drinks Weekend activities Flights Visas Laundry Anything not stated |
Please return completed forms by email to info@wildlife-research.com
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Funding opportunities for your internship can often be found through enquiring at university Study Abroad Office or Career Center as well as though fundraising websites.
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