Bird Project - Internship in South Africa

WildComm Research Stations is a conservation organisation based in South Africa, dedicated to hands-on research and training for the next generation of conservationists. Situated within a private reserve—home to two of the Big Five, rich birdlife, and diverse vegetation—we provide interns with meaningful opportunities to contribute to wildlife conservation.

Internship Overview

This internship offers an immersive experience in long-term bird monitoring, with a focus on avian diversity, abundance, and habitat use across the reserve. Interns will:

• Work alongside experienced researchers in the field

• Conduct systematic bird point counts at 36 randomly generated survey sites

• Record sightings with GPS location, species ID, behaviour, and distance from observer

• Assess the ecological significance of key resources for different bird species

• Assist with data entry and management 

Who Should Apply?

• This internship is ideal for students or graduates in ecology, zoology, ornithology, wildlife conservation, or related fields.

• No prior birding experience is required, though an interest in avian ecology is essential

• Applicants should be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions

• A reasonable level of fitness is needed, as surveys are conducted entirely on foot

Duration

Flexible | We recommend a commitment of 2–4 months to make the most of the learning opportunities in avian fieldwork and biodiversity monitoring.

Conservation Fee

As you’ll be living on a wildlife reserve, part of your fee contributes directly to the protection of the land and the species it supports.

What’s Included

• Accommodation on the reserve

• Transport: Louis Trichardt pick-up/drop-off

• Biweekly town trips for supplies