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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 a 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!)

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.

2024 Start Dates

4 Aug | 1 & 29 Sept | 27 Oct | 24 Nov | 22 Dec

2025 Start Dates

19 Jan | 16 Feb | 16 Mar | 13 Apr | 11 May | 8 Jun | 6 Jul | 3 & 31 Aug | 28 Sept | 26 Oct | 23 Nov | 21 Dec

Rates

8 weeks: $6455 | 9 weeks: $7010 | 10 weeks: $7565 | 11 weeks: $8120 | 12 weeks: $8675

Quick Facts

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Regular Start Dates

Min. 8 Weeks

Wildlife Photography
Photography Guide: Thomas Robinson
Group Size: Max 6
Intermediate level

Tour & Destination Highlights

  • Live in and work in the African bush, surrounded by wildlife, with endless opportunities for wildlife photography
  • Build a great portfolio of images; you can expect to photograph big cats, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, many antelope, and much more 
  • Enjoy guidance by a professional photographer, and gets insights into the working life of the world of photography 
  • Get experience in guiding a photography project, as you’ll assist a bit with the day to day running of the photography volunteer program on site 
  • Get insights into South African wildlife conservation initiatives, and have the opportunity to document their work

Quick Facts

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Regular Start Dates

Min. 8 Weeks

Wildlife Photography
Photography Guide: Thomas Robinson
Group Size: Max 6

PRICING OVERVIEW

from USD $6455GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly


per person sharing

INCLUDING

  • Accommodation
  • All meals at the lodge
  • All scheduled activities
  • Photographic tutroing
  • Airport transfers

EXCLUDING

  • International Flights
  • Personal Travel insurance
  • Any additional weekend activities
EXPLORE

Photography in South Africa

Expect great photographic opportunities during the most optimum times of day, when the African light is best.

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lioness growling at the camera_4
birds on an giraffe's back in south africa_3
black and white photo of a lion taken on photo safari in south africa_2
INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Your Photographic Experience

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. 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.  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 programs, 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
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 at its best, you’ll be going out on game drives, in search of 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.

Feedback

My photography internship in Kruger was nothing short of transformative. What truly set this experience apart was the chance to work on projects tailored to my interests, allowing me to explore various aspects of wildlife and conservation photography in depth while expanding my knowledge exponentially. This internship has undoubtedly opened new doors for me in my career and ignited a passion to pursue wildlife photography full-time. I wholeheartedly recommend this internship to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact through their photography.

Kendra Stone

ON THE BANKS OF THE OLIFANTS RIVER

Your Accommodation

swimming pool view from the accommodation in Kruger, South Africa

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.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson

WORKSHOP LEADER

Thomas Robinson

Thomas is a passionate wildlife photographer hailing from the vibrant city of Liverpool, England. Currently living and working in South Africa. He has forged a symbiotic relationship with SONY, who of which have featured Thomas’ work regularly on their social media platforms. He has also been featured by the esteemed BBC Earth on their social channels as well cementing his commitment to showcasing the magnificence of the natural world.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Anique Van Der Kuil

Anique Van Der Kuil

WORKSHOP LEADER

Anique Van Der Kuil

Anique, hailing from The Netherlands, has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Business where she started learning about photography. During lockdown she bought her first DSLR camera and started taking photos of animals in zoos and this is where the love for animal photography flourished. She took to social media to share her imagery and now shares here photography with over 24,000 followers. She has been featured by BBC Earth & Canon South Africa.

Wildlife Photography Internship, South Africa

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At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.

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