Conservation Internships in South Africa

I chose Cape Town for this experience because of the incredible opportunities and the chance to gain a new perspective in a completely different environment. It gave me a broader worldview and allowed me to be part of something meaningful. What I will miss most are the people, their kindness and welcoming nature, as well as the city’s incredible natural beauty. I had such a fun and fulfilling time here. During my internship with a conservation-focused organization, I contributed to the restoration and maintenance of a natural reserve. It was rewarding to be part of work that not only supports the environment but also creates a space for the community to enjoy and connect with nature.

​I chose VAC because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and gain real-world experience in a field I’m passionate about before starting college. I had never worked a full-time job before, so this was a chance to understand what that would be like while also exploring a new city. Cape Town stood out to me as a beautiful place with a rich culture that felt both different and accessible. During my internship with a conservation-focused organization, I worked on restoring a critically endangered ecosystem and supporting environmental education initiatives in the local community. I loved being able to do meaningful, hands-on work and spend time outdoors, even when it meant getting a little dirty and stepping outside of what I was used to. One of my favorite parts was working with local school groups and seeing how excited they were to learn about conservation. I also really enjoyed creating social media content and researching new species, which helped me better understand and appreciate the environment around me. While this may not be the exact path I choose in the future, it gave me a strong appreciation for the work that goes into creating real environmental change. Living in Cape Town was an incredible experience. The summer weather was beautiful, and there were endless opportunities to be outside whether at the beach or hiking. The people were welcoming, and I always felt comfortable and included. The VACorps team was incredibly supportive and easy to reach whenever I needed help, which made a big difference. I also loved the weekly activities, which helped us explore and connect with the city in a deeper way. Overall, this experience taught me so much about myself, my interests, and the kind of impact I want to have in the future.

I chose to intern abroad in South Africa because of its incredible biodiversity. I was also drawn to the blending of cultures, the fashion, and the overall energy of Cape Town. I decided to pursue an internship to support my wildlife conservation studies back home and to gain real, hands-on experience in the field. What I loved most about interning in Cape Town was how accessible everything felt—good food, nature, the ocean, all of it. I especially loved the natural scenery, the food scene, and the jazz culture! My time at the seabird sanctuary is something I will hold very close to my heart. It helped me build confidence in myself as a future wildlife conservation professional, especially since the field is so competitive in the United States. I was able to expand my skills in animal patient care and learn fascinating new facts about marine animal behavior, particularly seabirds. One of my favorite experiences was participating in the African penguin counting census at Stony Point—it was such a unique and memorable day. I’m going to miss the people, the energy, and the warm welcomes the most. My three-month stay felt like the perfect amount of time for me, especially since I don’t get homesick easily. For others, I might recommend eight to ten weeks so there’s enough time to adjust, settle in, and fully enjoy Cape Town. My biggest tip for anyone preparing to intern here: budget extra money for transportation!

Overall, my time in Cape Town, working at the Two Oceans Aquarium, has been an incredible experience that has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I initially pursued this internship to gain clarity on my career path after college and chose Cape Town for its proximity to the ocean and the opportunity to work with the aquarium. Looking back, I’m so grateful for this decision—not only did I achieve my initial goals, but I gained so much more. Professionally, I developed technical skills relevant to my field, gained hands-on experience with marine species, and built valuable connections in marine biology. Beyond that, I grew as a person, learned more about myself, and formed meaningful relationships with both locals and fellow interns in the VACorps program. A key part of my positive experience was the support from VACorps. Even when I faced challenges, like getting sick multiple times, their staff went above and beyond—taking me to the doctor and pharmacy and checking in regularly. Their weekly activities and cultural sessions also enriched my time here, providing fun opportunities to bond with other interns while experiencing Cape Town’s vibrant culture. I am deeply grateful to VACorps for making this experience so rewarding and unforgettable.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cape Town and South Africa. I formed lifelong friendships and created unforgettable memories. Cape Town truly offers something for everyone, from its pristine beaches and expansive ocean views to its vineyards and beautiful mountains. It is undeniably an amazing place to visit. The staff at VA Corps are exceptionally helpful and dedicated to the success of each student, ensuring they are placed in meaningful internships. During my time with a boating conservation company, I not only learned a great deal but also felt like a valued member of the team. Beyond my internship, I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Cape Town and its surrounding areas. The possibilities for activities seemed endless, ranging from surfing, paragliding, and exploring sand dunes to wine tasting and immersing myself in the local culture.

I came to Cape Town about three years ago but didn't get to stay long enough to do a lot of the things I wanted to do. When someone suggested VACorps to me and I found out it was in Cape Town, I knew immediately that I had to come back to this beautiful city. VACorps was incredible throughout the entire experience. The process of applying on a very tight time span was incredibly easy and helpful, they made sure I had options in my internship in conservation, and they were very open and easy to talk to from the very beginning. I absolutely loved my internship with African Eagle, where I worked on the waterfront with their Eco-Tour group. I helped the captain around the boat and pointed out wildlife to the guests. It was incredible to learn about all of the city's conservation projects involving the ocean and sea animals. Unfortunately because of Coronavirus fears, I only stayed for two weeks. However, those two weeks were absolutely amazing. If you plan on using VACorps, and I highly recommend you do, definitely come for a month or more. There is so much to explore in and around this city and you'll learn more in your internship than you ever thought possible. Also, the activities VACorps puts on on Fridays are extremely fun! Overall, I am incredibly grateful to VACorps for giving me this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore different subjects in a new city and entirely different continent. They made the process so easy and fun and I wish more than anything I could stay longer. I will definitely be back!

I chose to intern abroad in Cape Town because I was looking to experience living and working in a place completely unique from what I was used to. I had done internships at home, but I really wanted something new and to gain experience working internationally. Interning within the field of environmental conservation really showed me how passionate I was about connecting to nature and helping to conserve the environment. The people at my site truly demonstrated their knowledge and commitment to educating youth about improving the environment, which helped me develop more of an idea of what I would like to do career-wise. In regards to the VACorps family, I think that good people and good conversation really make an experience; my time here was absolutely amazing thanks to all of the people that I met. I was in Cape Town for 12 weeks and definitely recommend staying for as long as possible, because it starts to feel like home.

The entire staff at Two Oceans Aquarium was warm and welcoming. I was given so many opportunities to explore various aspects of the aquarium team, and I loved working with all the different species of fish. My time here has solidified my future career choice of marine biology.

This internship with CCT was a great learning opportunity for me and also a great way to take advantage of living and working in Cape Town. The city is truly a model when it comes to conservation, and learning about their projects ad policies will be very useful for me to take back home and integrate into future jobs. I also had the unique opportunity to live in a bustling metropolis while being able to work in truly pristine, wild places and see the nature reserves and national parks that many interns never get a chance to explore.

SANCOBB made me aware of the plight of not only endangered seabirds in South Africa, but of endangered species everywhere. I've gained a new found appreciation for people who work in wildlife conservation jobs. My internship improved my time management skills drastically, as well as teaching me better to work under pressure and adapt to changing environments. I also learned so much about handling, hand-rearing and caring for seabirds which are skills I never thought I'd have.