Veterinary Science Internship

South African Veterinary Internships at a Five Star Game Reserve

Join the wildlife veterinary internship in South Africa in order to gain veterinary medicine experience of wild animals in their natural habitat. Since the veterinary internship is located in an amazing five star game reserve on the Eastern Cape of South Africa, you’ll get in touch with fascinating animals in the African Bush.

During the veterinary internship you will start to understand in full depth the intricacies of a vet specializing in African wildlife. During your stay, you’ll be working on everything from the Big Five to the smallest animals. Since all of the animals are living freely in the African Bush, they are encountering the hazards that come with it!

While you work hand in hand with the professional vets on the reserve, you’ll gain hands-on, real life experience in veterinary medicine. Caring for the animals will give you insights both about animal management and prevention of disease and injuries.

Learn about African Wildlife in the Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Veterinary Science Internship in South Africa — Veterinary Internship

Based on this beautiful Eastern Cape game reserve, you’ll spend two fascinating weeks working with the local wildlife including big cats, elephant, antelope, giraffe and countless bird and small mammal species. At the same time you’ll enjoy lectures and learn about hands-on conservation management tasks.

Take Part in African Wildlife Captures

You are likely to find yourself taking part in exciting African wildlife captures, observing how the team dart, sedate, inoculate and examine animals. You’ll spend most days assisting the vets with animal care and rehabilitation in the clinic as well as heading out on emergency calls when necessary.

Work hours are usually from 07.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday. You’ll need to wear comfortable clothes in neutral colours such as beige, khaki, brown and olive green, and comfortable shoes such as hiking boots.

Some of the Experiences on the Wildlife Veterinary Internship

Learning about the treatment and management of African wildlife
Rearing orphaned wild animals.
Working alongside trained professionals in this fascinating speciality.
Experiencing life in the African bush.

Make a Dream Come True

Are you passionate about animals and their care? If you’re considering a career in Veterinary Science, we’ve got the most amazing opportunity for you. Even if you are already in training and, the hands-on, practical experience will be worth doing.

Our Veterinary Internship Programme gives volunteers a chance to experience real life veterinary work. You will also get in-depth insight into animal management in an African game reserve setting.

Living your passion, working with animals in the awesome African bush – you’re going to have the best internship experience you could dream of.

Are you interested in more wildlife volunteer experiences? Have a look at Bif Five monitoring or the project to save the Vervet Monkeys.

Veterinary Internship: Start Dates & Arrival

The veterinary volunteer program in South Africa starts on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Therefore, you should plan to arrive before 4:15pm. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation.

Project duration: 2 weeks

Location of project: Eastern Cape, South Africa

Airport to fly into: Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

Accommodation: In one of two comfortable houses in single-sex dorms.

Food: included.

Activities: Wildlife management, rearing orphaned animals, game counts, game capture, conservation management and more.

Getting to the project: You’ll be living on the project.

Working Hours: 07.30 to 16.30 Monday to Friday

Fees – Please Note:

The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
All of the projects incur a registration fee of U$ 149.00 on top of the program fee.

What is included in the volunteer program fee?

Airport Pickup & Drop off
Orientation
Food
Accommodation
Support from local staff & Program supervision
24/7 emergency support

We’re always on hand in case of an emergency.
In-country administration costs

Expert help-desk

We’re always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.

Thorough project briefing materials

Once you’ve booked you’ll receive a full pack of all the information you need for the project. It contains general information about volunteering, your specific project and South Africa as well as advice on safety, visas and inoculations.

Airport pickup

Don’t worry about arriving in a new country on your own. We’ll be there to welcome you and take you to your accommodation.

Arrival orientation

Soon after you arrive you’ll attend a thorough orientation with our team. It covers everything you need to know about your next few days, dos and don’ts and your safety. You can ask any questions and find out more about the fun stuff to do around Cape Town and South Africa.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is included in all projects and meals are included in some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard.

24/7 emergency support

We’re always on hand in case of an emergency.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation: Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms

Food: Provided

There are two comfortable houses on offer. Both have single sex dorm sleeping arrangements. Bathrooms have hot, running water, showers and regular flush loos. There’s also a lounge area, kitchen area, library area fireplace and entertainment facilities. You’ll be only a short distance from the shops and beach. Nearby you’ll find a swimming pool, tennis courts and cricket field.

Meals

Your meals are all provided and you’ll never go hungry!

Breakfasts usually consist of cereals, bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee and cheese, but
sometimes there are eggs, sausages or baked beans, and sometimes a combination
of the above.

For lunch and dinner there’s a wide variety ranging from burgers, chicken and chips, vegetarian dishes, potato casserole and so on.

Alcohol

Please note this is an Alcohol Free reserve – however you will be able to drink on weekends offsite

Facilities and the area

Laundry services are available on a Tuesday or Thursday at a nominal fee.

This is not a malaria area but it is advisable to bring insect repellent and a mosquito net to
prevent irritation.

Free wifi is available although bush internet can be erratic.

Bedding is provided but bring a sleeping bag for away weekends and extra warmth.

Bring along a towel

There are public telephones available for use at the reserve. Telephone cards can be obtained from the local shop. There is also Mobile phone signal.

On weekends you will be able to go visit the surrounding areas and towns such Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth to experience the golden beaches, beautiful Garden Route, world class surfing and other game reserves. Or you can stay and relax by the pool at the reserve.

Qualifications and requirements for the veterinary internship:

Minimum qualifications and experience required to take part in this internship:

Grade 12 certificate
CV, including certification of any completed courses
You’ll need to wear comfortable clothes in neutral colours such as beige, khaki, brown and olive green, and comfortable shoes such as hiking boots.

Wildlife Volunteering Experiences

Ricardo Ramajo caring for orphaned animals

South Africa Volunteer Programs

Find out about all the programs to volunteer on animal welfare in South Africa here.

As a vetinary student you may also have a look at the program to help township dogs and cats in Cape Town.

If you enjoy caring for animals, check out the project for rehabilitating wounded or orphaned wildlife in Port Elizabeth. For example, you can also visit South Africa for a project on protecting Vervet monkeys. In Cape Town, you can also do a marine biology internship at the aquarium. There is another project in Kleinbaai to protect the Great White Shark in marine conservation.

In addition, there are also educational projects, such as early childhood nursery, or teaching assistance at a primary school, also on the southern peninsula of Cape Town.

Volunteering with animal conservation

You may also have a look at the Wildlife Volunteering page, with all the volunteer programs with animals.

For instance, you can volunteer with elephants in Thailand.