Veterinary internship in South Africa

The veterinary internship in South Africa combines both theoretical and practical training, covering three main aspects of veterinary work:

• 1. Monitoring and observing wildlife in nearby reserves.
• 2. Providing care for livestock during visits to local farms.
• 3. Treating domestic animals in surrounding villages.

Students are supervised at all times by experts — guides, caretakers, or the project’s lead veterinarian, depending on the activities.
Like all of our **animal care internships abroad**, this project in South Africa allows students to validate their academic year while contributing to the **preservation of the region’s wildlife**.

A portion of the internship takes place in one of the following nature reserves:

• Mpongo — a renowned reserve home to the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards).
• Sabati — an expanding conservation area where wildlife species have been recently reintroduced.
• Matola — a nature reserve located in the Kubusi Valley, where the NGO has recently launched a conservation project combining wildlife monitoring and safari-related activities.

Since animal welfare is not yet a major social priority in South Africa, many domestic animals lack proper care. The work can therefore be demanding, but this hands-on training with specialists aims to provide students with a **comprehensive experience** across three key fields:

• Wildlife management in nature reserves
• Livestock care
• Domestic animal treatment

Your role as an intern:
You’ll take part in an intensive animal management program. Expect both thrilling and challenging days — from witnessing animal releases and tracking buffalo or elephants, to more laborious tasks like maintaining trails or locating traps set by poachers. You’ll gain practical field experience while assisting caretakers with their daily maintenance and animal care routines.

For students seeking a **specialized animal care internship**, the NGO also offers an **intensive 4-week program in June and July** in the Cape Town area (contact us for more information).