Immerse yourself in an unforgettable journey where wildlife encounters ignite artistic expression. This Wildlife Photography Internship in the Greater Kruger Area places you alongside a professional photographer, honing your skills while contributing to vital conservation efforts. You’ll get to run workshops for our Wildlife Photography Volunteers as well as assist them whilst out and about in the African bush. You get the opportunity to learn more whilst also imparting your skills with those on their first photographic adventure. This is a unique personal and professional development opportunity in the Greater Kruger Area that sees interns supporting wildlife conservation initiatives through the medium of photography.
Wildlife Photography Internship in South Africa
INTERN
CONSERVATION
Develop Your Photography Skills on a Wildlife Conservation Project
Project highlights
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Edits And Group Critiques
Develop your skills and learn through giving and receiving critiques with your peers.
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Photography Skills
Hone your skills in macro, landscape, motion and black & white photography.
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Astrological Photography
Learn techniques to photograph the clear night sky.
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Adobe Photoshop Skills
On top of Lightroom, learn to get the most out of Photoshop.
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Active Participation
Get your hands dirty with physical conservation work.
Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Available: May – Oct
Duration: 8 Weeks+
Price From $6,450 This cost covers your accommodation, meals, project fees, transfers, 24/7 support and in-country orientation.
Project impact areas
Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Wildlife Conservation Internship in South Africa.
CONSERVATION
Workshops & Development
Delve into the fundamental principles of wildlife photography, unraveling the secrets and techniques that elevate your craft. Discover the art of mastering your camera settings and understanding the elements that make a captivating shot. Through hands-on exercises and guided assignments and editing critiques, you’ll hone your skills, capturing the essence of frames, colors, movement, portraits, and more. Learn more about macro photography and embark on a captivating journey into the unseen world, capturing the intricate details and captivating beauty of often-overlooked creatures – from the industrious dung beetle to the iridescent dragonfly.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. Life on Land
2. Life Below Water
3. Climate Action
4. Responsible Consumption & Production
CONSERVATION
Photographic Database
Join the research team to photograph key wildlife species – lions, leopards, elephants and giraffe. Each of these species have unique attributes that identify them on an individual basis – from spot patterns, scars, ear notches and more, the collection of their images aids the constant development of our wildlife identification kits which contribute towards our conservation data. This data is more broadly shared with reserve management for larger scale efforts and conservation.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. Life on Land
2. Life Below Water
3. Climate Action
4. Responsible Consumption & Production
CONSERVATION
Conservation Initiatives
Beyond the initial workshop, your wildlife photography journey continues with hands-on contributions to our broader conservation efforts in the Greater Kruger. As you immerse yourself in the landscape, you’ll receive a series of challenging assignments that push your creative boundaries and refine your photographic skills. We believe that wildlife photography can play a powerful role in safeguarding the natural world, and we’re dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. Life on Land
2. Life Below Water
3. Climate Action
4. Responsible Consumption & Production
Example Daily Schedule
Monday - Friday
Morning
07:45 – 11:00
Daily Game Drive and Photography
11:00 – 12.00
Free time
Lunch
12:00 – 12:30
Afternoon
12:30 – 13:00
Preparation for Afternoon Activities
13:30 – 16:00
Photo Editing & Workshops
Dinner
18:30 – 19:00
Evening
19:00 – 21:00
Free time, games night or movie night
Accommodation & Meals
Greater Kruger, South Africa
Your home away from home in the Greater Kruger area is a secure, lodge-style volunteer base with comfortable shared rooms and relaxed communal spaces in the bush.
From 2026 you’ll stay in the heart of the African wilderness in Mtimkulu Private Reserve. The accommodation will be a mix of tented rooms and shared dorms. This base camp is set up as a research camp on the reserve, and will provide a true and authentic bush experience. Your accommodation will feature spacious dorm and tented rooms with sweeping views of the reserve. There will be shared bathrooms, with toilets and showers. Amenities include a welcoming outdoor fire pit for braais (BBQs), relaxed social areas, and a lively common dining area.
Please note image is a rendering, camp is under construction.
You’ll be based in the untamed majesty of the Greater Kruger area, a sprawling tapestry of over 20 private reserves seamlessly woven together. Bordering the iconic Kruger National Park, this vast landscape pulsates with life, serving as a sanctuary for an extraordinary array of threatened species – from the majestic lion to the powerful elephant, the humble giraffe to the endangered African wild dog.
Life at the Base
Greater Kruger, South Africa
The Great Kruger area comprises of almost 5.5 million acres of unfenced land where animals roam freely across wild savannah. This offers endless opportunities for wildlife encounters – the elephants might join you for dinner and just wait until you hear the hippos at night!
On the weekends, you can head out on a Kruger safari, explore the epic viewpoints of the Panorama Route at Blyde River Canyon, visit conservation initiatives like Down To The Wire or Rhino Revolution, or add a thrill with quad biking and adventure activities at Magoebaskloof.
Cellular signals can be variable. If you are purchasing a local, South African SIM Card, we would recommend using MTN as the service provider. WiFi is available throughout the lodge.
Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) is your best bet, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kambaku II Camp. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your placement begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. We’ll be there to greet you! Look for the African Impact sign and a friendly face ready to welcome you.
If you are arriving from somewhere other than Hoedspruit, our partner shuttle company offers African Impact volunteers a discount when booking with a promo code. Please request this from your Destination Specialist.
Your Base Manager will be Jason Kipling. Jason is a dedicated conservationist and experienced leader in the eco-tourism and volunteer sectors, with a strong background in developing and managing impactful programs.
His work with African Impact has been central to his career, where he played a key role in establishing and revitalizing conservation and volunteer projects across Africa. From leading safari operations in Kruger to rebuilding a marine conservation initiative in Zanzibar, Jason has specialized in creating sustainable, ethical programs that contribute to conservation efforts and local communities.
Our qualified Field Guides are trained in wildlife encounters, have valid driver’s licenses and our vehicles are well-maintained. Our vehicles are all fitted with radios to ensure we always have contact with base camp. Our project is committed to safeguarding our volunteers, staff and the environment. Our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment, evacuation plans and has access to an ambulance service. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided for physical conservation work. Upon arrival, our staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.
Project Destination
The Great Kruger area comprises of almost 5.5 million acres of unfenced land where animals roam freely across wild savannah. This offers endless opportunities for wildlife encounters – the elephants might join you for dinner and just wait until you hear the hippos at night!
On the weekends, you can head out on a Kruger safari, explore the epic viewpoints of the Panorama Route at Blyde River Canyon, visit conservation initiatives like Down To The Wire or Rhino Revolution, or add a thrill with quad biking and adventure activities at Magoebaskloof.
Communication
Cellular signals can be variable. If you are purchasing a local, South African SIM Card, we would recommend using MTN as the service provider. WiFi is available throughout the lodge.
Flights & Arrivals
Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) is your best bet, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kambaku II Camp. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your placement begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. We’ll be there to greet you! Look for the African Impact sign and a friendly face ready to welcome you.
If you are arriving from somewhere other than Hoedspruit, our partner shuttle company offers African Impact volunteers a discount when booking with a promo code. Please request this from your Destination Specialist.
Staff
Your Base Manager will be Jason Kipling. Jason is a dedicated conservationist and experienced leader in the eco-tourism and volunteer sectors, with a strong background in developing and managing impactful programs.
His work with African Impact has been central to his career, where he played a key role in establishing and revitalizing conservation and volunteer projects across Africa. From leading safari operations in Kruger to rebuilding a marine conservation initiative in Zanzibar, Jason has specialized in creating sustainable, ethical programs that contribute to conservation efforts and local communities.
Safety
Our qualified Field Guides are trained in wildlife encounters, have valid driver’s licenses and our vehicles are well-maintained. Our vehicles are all fitted with radios to ensure we always have contact with base camp. Our project is committed to safeguarding our volunteers, staff and the environment. Our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment, evacuation plans and has access to an ambulance service. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided for physical conservation work. Upon arrival, our staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.
...the joy of making a real impact...
“It is great to have three months of focus on wildlife and photography. We had a lot of great moments with a variety of animals and learned a lot of them and their behavior. Improving my photography and editing skills was one of my goals, the help of the staff is really great for that. I loved being here and hope to be back.”
Renée Pots, 50, Netherlands
Inclusions
- African Impact bush style accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Sun)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All project transport, equipment and resources
- Support from experienced local and international African Impact staff
- Full orientation for responsible project contribution
Exclusions
Price excludes personal camera equipment, flights, visas, insurance, weekend tours and personal expenses.
Requirements
- The minimum age to join this project is 18 years old
- The minimum stay for this project is 2 weeks
Award-winning Volunteer and Internship Projects Since 2004
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Volunteering in Africa means travelling with purpose- joining meaningful community or conservation projects, where you pay to cover your stay and project costs, turning your trip into an immersive, impactful experience rather than a traditional holiday.
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Project faqs
What Kind Of Wildlife Will I Be Photographing?
The Greater Kruger Area boasts incredible biodiversity, including the African Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo), plus diverse antelope, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, giraffe, zebra, and countless bird species. Your specific encounters will depend on the season, location, and luck, but rest assured, you’ll have ample opportunities to capture magnificent wildlife moments as a wildlife photography volunteer.
Will I Be Able To Photograph The Big 5 At This Project?
Whilst there is evidence of the African Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo) all around us, we cannot guarantee that you will see them all. Our project is based in a wilderness area where animals roam freely and do as they please, however, the Olifants River in front of our base attracts plenty of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a multitude of bird species.
Do I Need Prior Photography Experience?
Absolutely not! Our wildlife photography program welcomes enthusiasts at all levels, especially those driven by a passion to learn and capture the magic of Africa’s wildlife. Our expert guides will provide comprehensive training and mentorship, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to transform your passion into stunning images. So, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting your journey, a true photography adventure awaits!
Our favourite weekend activities in the Kruger Area
Head out on a Kruger safari, explore the epic viewpoints of the Panorama Route at Blyde River Canyon, visit conservation initiatives like Down To The Wire or Rhino Revolution, or add a thrill with quad biking and adventure activities at Magoebaskloof!
