WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNSHIP, SOUTH AFRICA

From £3845

For 8 weeks

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Live the life of a wildlife photographer.

If you’re dreaming of making it as a wildlife photographer, here’s an opportunity to explore this exciting profession in detail. As an wildlife photography intern on this program, you’ll improve your photography skills, build an extensive portfolio of images, and learn about what it takes to work as a wildlife photographer. Based in South Africa’s Greater Kruger area, you’ll be in the perfect place to practice your skills on a daily basis, and photograph a wealth of African wildlife, including the sought-after Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos). You’ll also have a chance to learn about and contribute to wildlife conservation, and you can explore conservation photography. Throughout your photography internship, you’ll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you sharpen your skills, and give you expert advise on the field of wildlife photography. (You might also be interested in our wildlife photography & conservation volunteer project!)

QUICK FACTS
Greater Kruger, South Africa
Monthly start dates
Wildlife Photography
Mentor: Paula Montoya
Group Size: Max. 3
All Photography Levels
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Map of South Africa
1
Sharpen your photography skills

Sharpen your wildlife photography skills on all levels

2
Build a portfolio

Create an impressive portfolio of wildlife images

3
Learn about the field of wildlife photography

Get insight information on how to make it as a wildlife photographer

4
Contribute to conservation

Learn about wildlife conservation issues, and how to contribute to conservation through photography

  1. Sharpen your photography skills
  2. Build a portfolio
  3. Learn about the field of wildlife photography
  4. Contribute to conservation 
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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

If you’re interested in becoming a professional wildlife photographer, or if you’re passionate about wildlife photography and you’re just looking for an interesting challenge, this photography internship could be the ideal opportunity for you. As a wildlife photography intern, you’ll start by joining a week-long course, run by a professional photographer. You’ll get to sharpen your technical photography skills and get insights into the specific tricks to photographing wildlife. The course will also cover post-production.

After this course, you’ll be putting your skills into practice during regular game drives and specific assignments. Your photography mentor will help you define personal objectives for your internship, so that you have a focus and can work towards specific goals. She’ll be guiding you and will continue to help you sharpen your skills.

Apart from learning about wildlife photography, you’ll also learn about conservation issues and you’ll have the opportunity of assisting some worthwhile conservation initiatives hands-on. This generally involves removing alien and invasive plants in the bush – if you are up for it physically. Moreover, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of how wildlife photography can be used for conservation purposes.

YOUR ROLE AS AN INTERN

Apart from developing your photography skills and knowledge, you’ll also take on an active role in the program you’ll join. As a photography intern, you’ll be part of a local team of guides, coordinators and photographers who are running various conservation volunteer program, including one that’s specifically focused on wildlife photography. Your role will somewhat depend on your experience and interests, but your tasks could involve;

  • Helping develop and run photography workshops or lectures
  • Assisting with the impact of the program; doing research, coordinating with conservation NGOs, helping with impact assessment, and helping implement new initiatives
  • Helping plan and coordinate project activities
  • Producing social media content / visual content for other communications channels
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THE PHOTOGRAPHY

During this wildlife photography internship, you can expect to have great photographic opportunities. During the most optimum times of day, when the African light is as its best, you’ll be going out on game drives, in search for the best wildlife sightings. All game drives will be done in surrounding private game reserves, where game viewing is of a high quality. You’ll hopefully have a chance to photograph the Big Five, as well as smaller, but no less interesting, species, such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, and a range of antelope and bird species. You are sure to build up an extensive portfolio of wildlife pictures.

GUIDANCE

As a wildlife photography intern, you’ll enjoy tutoring and guidance by Paula Montoya, a professional photographer with a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching. She’ll help you improve your skills, define your goals, and build the right portfolio. She’ll also be able to share insights into the wildlife photography field, which will help you on your way with publishing your work, and making a living out of photography, if that’s your goal.

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THE DESTINATION

This wildlife photography internship is based in the world-renowned Greater Kruger Area – famous for its great game viewing and amazing scenery. The region is also home to a local people celebrated for their rich and vibrant culture. In this impressive setting, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your photographic skills while raising conservation awareness.

ACCOMMODATION

During your internship, you will stay in a lodge situated on the banks of the Olifants River. It’s a lovely safari-style camp with a swimming pool, WiFi, hot showers, and an outdoor communal area. You can expect to do some wildlife viewing from the lodge, as many animals come to drink from the river. The lodge is basic, but comfortable, and the setting is stunning.

The lodge is staffed with cooks and cleaners and all bed linen and towels are provided. All meals are included in the price. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be prepared for you.

You’ll share the lodge with other volunteers and interns from around the world. It’s a great social setting, and an opportunity to meet people from many different cultures. Rooms are shared with up to five other volunteers. Single rooms are available at an additional fee.

DATES & RATES

This internship is available throughout the year, and you can join for 8 to 12 weeks. Please get in touch to find out about availability.

The upcoming start dates are: 

2023: 16 April – 14 May – 11 June – 9 July – 6 August – 3 September – 1 October – 29 October – 26 November – 24 December

2024: 21 January – 18 February – 17 March – 14 April – 12 May – 9 June – 7 July – 4 August – 1 September – 29 September – 27 October – 24 November – 22 December

The rates are as follows:
2023:
8 weeks:  £3845
9 weeks: £4145
10 weeks: £4445
11 weeks: £4745
12 weeks: £5045

2024:
8 weeks:  £4895
9 weeks: £5245
10 weeks: £5595
11 weeks: £5945
12 weeks: £6295

 

REQUIREMENTS; WHO SHOULD JOIN?

To join this photography internship in South Africa, you’ll need to have an intermediate level of photography, a flexible approach, and a passion wildlife photography and wildlife conservation. To apply for this wildlife photography internship, please fill in the below form and send a CV to info@pendaphototours.com.

QUICK FACTS
Greater Kruger, South Africa
8 – 12 weeks, monthly start dates
Wildlife photography
Mentor: Paula Montoya
Group Size: Max. 6
All photography levels

From £3845

For 8 weeks

INCLUDES
  • Accommodation and three meals a day at a lodge
  • All game drives and other activities
  • Orientation program, including a photography course led by a professional photographer
  • Assistance and guidance by a professional wildlife photographer
  • Guidance by a personal development coach
  • Airport transfers to and from Hoedspruit Airport
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to Hoedspruit
  • Travel insurance
  • Any additional weekend activities
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RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT

  • SLR camera with at least an 18-55 mm lens
  • Batteries, a battery charger, and memory cards
  • Laptop with editing software (ideally Adobe Lightroom, as this is used during workshops)
  • External hard drive (at least 100GB)
  • A tripod is highly recommended, but not essential

PHOTOGRAPHY MENTOR: PAULA MONTOYA

wildlife photography volunteer project leader

Originally from Columbia, Paula was born in an incredibly biodiverse country with a wealth of photographic inspiration. She’s been working as a photographer for the past ten years, and she’s combined her career in photography with work in advertisement. But during travel in South Africa in 2019, she fell in love with the continent, and the idea of creating awareness for important conservation work through photography. She’s now delighted to be based in the Greater Kruger National Park, and tutor other passionate photographers.

From £3845

for 8 wks

INCLUDES
  • Accommodation and three meals a day at a lodge
  • All game drives and other activities
  • Orientation program, including a photography course led by a professional photographer
  • Assistance and guidance by a professional wildlife photographer
  • Guidance by a personal development coach
  • Airport transfers to and from Hoedspruit Airport
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to Hoedspruit
  • Travel insurance
  • Any additional weekend activities

MENTOR: PAULA MONTOYA

wildlife photography volunteer project leader

Originally from Columbia, Paula was born in an incredibly biodiverse country with a wealth of photographic inspiration. She’s been working as a photographer for the past ten years, and she’s combined her career in photography with work in advertisement. But during travel in South Africa in 2019, she fell in love with the continent, and the idea of creating awareness for important conservation work through photography. She’s now delighted to be based in the Greater Kruger National Park, and tutor other passionate photographers.

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