Conservation & Preservation Study Abroad Programs in South Africa

Your CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad program in Cape Town lasts 6 weeks and features three key components: A part-time internship with an international organization (15-20 hours per week), an internship seminar, and a 3-credit academic course taught by CIEE faculty or online through CIEE’s global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in South African culture. Live, learn, and work in Cape Town!

Study identity, culture, and social transformation in South Africa, a society still grappling with apartheid’s legacy. Choose one of four tracks—multiculturalism, education, health, or climate—while building shared foundations in South African history and contemporary issues. From Cape Town and Johannesburg to rural communities, engage in field visits, cultural immersion, and guest lectures. Complete independent research or an internship as you connect theory with real-world challenges of inequality, justice, and social change. Please visit the SIT Study Abroad website for details on the program highlights and details of coursework, educational excursions, and housing. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

Phezulu is proud to offer this unique and special program for students seeking diverse, real-world, and practical experience working with small and large animals, as well as wildlife, in line with their studies in veterinary practice, animal husbandry, conservation, or game and livestock farming. We provide convenient access to diverse animals (including horses, sheep, and cattle), as well as rich wildlife habitats and game farms where students can work with antelopes, bucks, zebras, giraffes, and big cats, to name a few. Phezulu Pre-Vet provides unique opportunities for students to work alongside and learn directly from qualified animal professionals with diverse experience. These include veterinary practitioners, farmers, game rangers, animal feed specialists, and veterinary physiotherapists. Our study program is suitable for pre-vet students and undergraduates seeking to hone essential skills in a real working environment during their studies. We work closely with universities and colleges to meet the specific, practical elements required for their courses.

SIT’s Global Master of Arts in Sustainable Development Practice is a full-time, one-year degree that explores the interconnected nature of global health crises, economic inequality, natural resource degradation, and political and ethnic conflicts. Study begins in Ecuador, focusing on biodiversity and urban-rural development, then continues in South Africa and Malawi, examining sustainable practice in diverse sociopolitical contexts. Hands-on learning provides a unique opportunity to acquire professional skills through research and fieldwork in a competitive global environment. This program is ideal for emerging professionals seeking careers in sustainable development, policy, project leadership, or community engagement.

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

Join us for two weeks at Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary in South Africa! A sanctuary to many previously injured and trapped animals, Lory Park is now home to cheetahs, jaguars, lions, owls, pythons, hedgehogs, servals, lemurs, and many more! During this study abroad program, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside veterinarians and learn more about the behavior and conservation of various animals at the park. Your coursework will focus on the anatomy, handling, and medical needs of animals in captivity. In addition to veterinary labs such as necropsies and lectures from veterinarians and expert guests, you'll also get the opportunity to safari in Pilanesberg reserve, visit community schools, and support enrichment for animals at the park.

The foundation for a wild career! Is your goal to become a safari guide, wilderness guide, or wildlife guide? The IFGA Professional Safari Guide course (6-12 months) is the most comprehensive and immersive course available. Train with the industry’s award-winning instructors and wildlife experts. This is also an excellent sabbatical or gap year program. Course overview: Imagine driving a 4x4 game viewer across a riverbed, pointing out rare bird species to your guests. You slow to a stop – is that a leopard you see? Later, you serve sundowners and take in another vibrant African sunset. An afternoon spent sharing wildlife knowledge, nothing’s better! The IFGA Professional Safari Guide course (6-12 months) develops highly skilled professionals in the guiding industry. It is specifically developed to provide vocational skills and qualifications required by employers in Southern Africa. In addition, our top-performing students can also qualify for the IFGA qualification at no extra cost to their training. Training is held in Big Five territory, where you’ll observe animals in their natural habitat.

Travel to the culturally diverse country of South Africa and gain insight into both wildlife research and conservation activities as well as critical community development initiatives. Groups get to participate in this interdisciplinary course, accredited by universities and colleges around the world. We introduce students to international service-learning and sustainable development, both in theory and practice. Two weeks prior to departure and two weeks after returning home students engage in lectures, discussion, research, service, and reflection at home and abroad. Emphasis will be placed on relating long-term goals with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and engaging in daily reflection surrounding the experience, led by qualified group facilitators, furthering individual educational development. This course curriculum will be tailored to students' academic level or curriculum. The aim of our Service Learning course is to empower students to gain confidence in their knowledge and practical experience of their subject area.

Ecolife Expeditions offers a wildlife and conservation expedition in South Africa. The program is open to students, who will be interacting with skilled experts during wildlife and conservation camping activities. They can expect safari-style tents in remote areas with researchers, rangers, and veterinarians. These experts are ready to give important information and exciting insights that give students a meaningful international education experience. This program is approved for 6 academic credits through the North-West University in South Africa.

Are you ready to embark on your ranger adventure and complete your Apprentice Field Guide training in 55 days? This former Field Guide Level 1 course offers expert guidance from seasoned leaders and covers essential basics of Southern Africa’s flora and fauna. The program emphasizes hands-on training in the wild, preparing you to conserve the African wilderness's beauty. You will master orientation and navigation techniques, including using constellations for positioning, handling a cross-country vehicle, and safely navigating rough terrain. You'll also gain skills in tracking, analyzing animal behavior, and identifying local wildlife and plant species. Experience nights under the stunning starry sky; gather around the campfire with fellow adventure seekers; and create unforgettable memories in the bush.