Volunteer taking photos of elephant at the Wildlife Photography and Conservation project in South Africa.

Wildlife Photography INTERNSHIP

South Africa
8 - 12 weeks
5,335 - 6,735 Euro

Live in the wild, learn from pros, and capture conservation in action. This Wildlife Photography Internship in South Africa’s Greater Kruger is where your lens meets purpose - and every frame tells a story.

WELCOME TO
THE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNSHIP

This Wildlife Photography Internship in South Africa is designed for aspiring photographers ready to grow their skills while supporting real conservation. Set in the Greater Kruger Area, you’ll work with a professional wildlife photographer to capture meaningful images and explore the role of photography in research, education, and awareness.

You’ll be part of a team guided by an experienced photography mentor - receiving feedback, refining your approach, and learning to photograph wildlife ethically and effectively. From documenting key species to contributing to conservation campaigns, this internship brings purpose and creativity together.

Whether you're aiming for a career in photography or just passionate about wildlife, this is one of the most immersive wildlife photography opportunities in South Africa.

Why Book This Wildlife Photography Experience Through Lost Adventures

With over 15 years of experience in African travel and conservation - including as co-founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana - Lost Adventures offers expert guidance, trusted support, and extended liability cover. There are no added fees, and if anything doesn’t go as planned, we’ve got your back.

Enquire
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Number of participants

Up to 7 volunteers

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Duration

8-12 weeks

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Start date

1 to 2 start dates/month (Sundays)

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Age requirements

Minimum age: 18.

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Arrival/departure

Arrive/depart via Hoedspruit airport (HDS), South Africa, Sundays any time.

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Transfer

1.5-hour road transfer from Hoedspruit Airport to project (return) included in price.

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Additional Adventures

Weekends are yours to explore: Safari in Kruger Park, panoramic road trips, quad biking, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS AT the Wildlife Photography INTERNSHIP

Mentorship Meets the Wild

Learn directly from pros while staying at a comfortable lodge along the river. Surrounded by nature and close to Kruger National Park, it's the perfect base to grow your wildlife photography skills.

Photography for Conservation

Your work matters. Every image you take contributes to wildlife conservation - from educational materials for local schools to awareness campaigns for broader impact.

Workshops + Personal Projects

Start with structured workshops in wildlife, night, and macro photography, plus editing in Adobe Lightroom. Then dive into your own project, guided by your mentor.

Field-Based Wildlife Conservation

Use your images to create animal ID kits, monitor wildlife health, and support key conservation work. This is a Wildlife Photography Internship that goes beyond the lens.

Photography With a Purpose

Photos from the Wildlife Photography Internship contribute to conservation, fundraising, and marketing initiatives. Your skills become a force for protecting South Africa’s wildlife.

Grow Your Creative Confidence

This internship gives you the chance to create a meaningful collection of wildlife photography that reflects your growth, creativity, and passion - something you may choose to build on long after your time in the bush.

Cheetah at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

In the first week of this internship with wildlife photography, you’ll engage in an immersive workshop led by a skilled professional wildlife photographer.

Explore the core principles, secrets, and highlights of wildlife photography while mastering your camera settings to capture stunning images.

Challenging assignments will encourage you to photograph diverse elements like frames, colours, movement, and portraits, introducing you to new techniques and enhancing your photography skills.

Additionally, you'll learn the art of editing your photos using Adobe Lightroom, ensuring your images truly stand out and captivate viewers.

Lion posing in front of the camera.

Explore the intricate world beneath our feet through macro photography. As a dedicated wildlife photography volunteer, you'll develop a keen eye for the smaller components of the wildlife environment and master the art of capturing their unique beauty. You'll be captivated by the often-overlooked creatures such as dung beetles, dragonflies, and numerous others, showcasing their extraordinary details through your lens.

Volunteer taking photos of elephant at the Wildlife Photography and Conservation project in South Africa.

Ethical photography in natural settings is crucial for any wildlife photographer. This program will educate you on animal behaviour, fostering a conservation-centric mindset in your photographic pursuits.

By learning to photograph responsibly, you'll positively impact wildlife conservation while producing awe-inspiring images that reflect the beauty of wildlife in their natural habitats.

Leopard the wildlife photography course in South Africa.

Throughout your time in this wildlife photography internship, you’ll actively contribute to the broader conservation goals and objectives in the Greater Kruger region, while continuously honing your photography skills. You’ll gain a deep understanding of what it means to be a professional wildlife photographer, including editing and effectively utilising your photos. Through various activities, the tutor will guide you towards creating exceptional images, presenting them with context, and exploring opportunities for exposure. By the end of the four weeks, you'll be amazed by your remarkable progress.

Volunteer in front of an elephant at the Big Five & Wildlife Research in South Africa.

As a vital part of the project's research initiatives, your wildlife photography will help gather essential animal identification data. By capturing sharp, detailed images of wildlife during game drives, you'll assist the research team in identifying individual animals, enabling them to monitor their health, movements, and behaviour. Your photographs will be crucial for updating identification databases that inform conservation-driven decisions in reserve management.

Elephant baby and the herd at Kariega Big Five Conservation in South Africa.

After an adventurous day of exploring and capturing wildlife through your lens, relax at the lodge, cool off in the pool, catch a movie, or enjoy a lively games night with other volunteers. From time to time, guides and staff will offer informative presentations, providing in-depth knowledge about the African landscape and its rich wildlife and local cultures. Dine on the picturesque deck, where you can enjoy a warm fire and roast marshmallows.

Activity Overview

Start with an Intensive Photography Workshop
Macro Photography Magic
Ethical Wildlife Photography
Photography Meets Volunteering
Your Photos, Their Future
Beyond the Lens
Cheetah at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

What Our Travelers Say

"It was outstanding

It was outstanding it was beyond my imagination I had some images of what it was going to be like but it just over classed on many levels. I must say the chasing the lion in the evening was good and I think the climax which is not an exciting climax but just the openness of the fields here are just amazing kilometers of sight.

You can have so things but in terms of how this has been set up and the level of pragmatism and flexibility throughout the day just tops. It’s far beyond how I’ve ever been on any holiday."

Berry

Holland

"A wonderful experience

Super, great camaraderie, a great group of people thrown together from Holland and Kiwi Land and the fellows here were fantastic.
Most precious memory to me is Mike Reid for his ability to be able to transport us into the
world of Botswana, his world, the technical detailing from the brothers, right up to the stars everything in between the trees, the birds, animals, it’s what I’m here for.

This has been a wonderful experience really."

Bruce

New Zealand

"Highly Recommend Lost Adventures

Mikkel was so wonderful to work with when planning my trip to South Africa. I was looking for a way to volunteer and through Mikkel found a great program for a Wildlife Photography Internship.

The booking process was seamless and he was very easy to communicate with. Would defiantly recommend using Lost Adventures when booking a safari or volunteer program!"

Zenya Lepper

USA

The best experience

I had a great experience booking my African trip through Lost Adventures. Mikkel makes sure that you feel safe and he will answer any questions any time of the day.

Even during the stay in Africa he wrote me and made sure I was fine. This is my second time booking with Mikkel and I will defently choose him again. The best recommendations from me.

Thanks for all your help!

Trine Lauridsen

Denmark

Volunteering in Zimbabwe

We went onto Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation for a week's volunteering and once again, this was an excellent experience. (...) The food, once again, was extremely good.
The volunteer tasks were always interesting and we enjoyed them all. (...) It was so wonderful to be able to get close to the precious rhino and to walk with the elephants as they went out in the morning and came back to their protected areas at night. (...)

Mikkel at Lost Adventures is extremely helpful and has a comprehensive knowledge of safari and volunteering options available in Africa. He made sure our trip went without a hitch and was always able to be contacted throughout if we needed anything.

I highly recommend Lost Adventures and hope to book another trip with them again very soon.

Jill Ashby WP

Australia

I spent 4 weeks at the Shamwari…

I spent 4 weeks at the Shamwari Conservation Experience, and had an absolutely unforgettable time there. Mikkel was beyond helpful with providing information and answering questions, there was never a moment I felt unsafe or unprepared thanks to him. I couldn't have found a better place to volunteer - thank you Mikkel for all of your help and for making this experience possible for me!

Cecilia Guldberg

Denmark

Amazing experience with Lost Adventures

Our 20 year old daughter Cecilia has just returned from a 4 week stay at Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa. She has had the most incredible time and learned so much about wildlife and conservation in South Africa. She has had the time of her life and met so many amazing people from around the world, and has gained lifelong friendships :). We can not thank Mikkel enough for his commitment, engagement and very professionel manner. He was always quick to respond to our mails if we had any questions. As a nervous mom sending our daughter around the world, we were not at one point worried :) After being back for a few weeks our daughter is already talking about joining another of Mikkels programs with Lost Adventures in the near future :) Thank you, Mikkel for making this possible, and for being SO hands on and committed through it all.

Lotte Schaumburg Guldberg

Denmark

Best Holiday Ever!

I booked a stay at the Modisa camp in Botswana via Lost Adventures in March and I couln't be happier of my choice. From start to finish, I had an excellent support from Mikkel who took care of the booking and was always happy to help with my queries. As I was traveling on my own and was visiting that area for the first time, I had many questions and Lost Adventures provided a seamless service always with a smile :)

The Modisa camp was also amazing, a truly life changing experience that I cant wait to repeat! Thank you Mikkel for making this possible!

Elena Valtorta

Italy

Greatest Experience Yet

If I could click more stars than just 5 I totally would. (...)

I ran into programs that seemed just hungry for my money over caring for my interests and experience, UNTIL I found Lost Adventures. (...)

Mikkel was so understanding and patient and informative. Quick to respond to every question I had and more. He went so above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and content with my experience. (...) I did a 10 week program in the Greater Kruger area of South Africa on Wildlife Research and Conservation. It was amazing. (...) I experienced hands on knowledge and this paved a path for me to go home and start a college degree in wildlife biology. I am incredibly thankful and grateful for my experience through Lost Adventures.

I would highly recommend and I would do this again and again and again. Thank you Mikkel so much for your kindness !!!"

Maria Noyola

USA

A wonderful experience – I can’t wait to book again ;-)

I recently booked a stay at the Modisa Wildlife Project through Lost Adventures and I had a wonderful experience. From the very beginning, Mikkel was so helpful and answered all my questions quickly and clearly. I truly felt like I was in the very best hands with him.

My time at the Modisa Camp was amazing! The whole team there was especially wonderful! It was a great way to experience wildlife conservation up close - and the camp itself was a truly special place.

I can definitely imagine booking with Lost Adventures again for my next trip to Africa. And I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a special adventure!

Lucia Mayer

Germany

Awesome training course in the Okavango Delta

I spent 2 weeks on an amazing Field Guide course in Botswana in the Okavango Delta.

Lost Adventures took very well care of me through the whole booking process, during the trip and after my return.

I always felt in good hands and had all the information I needed.

I will definitely choose Lost Adventures again for my next trip to the Delta.

Vanessa Kress

Switzerland

Great wildlife & conservation experience

Early 2024 I joined the 4-week photography & conservation project in the Greater Kruger area in South Africa. The volunteering program was amazing and the booking as well the support by Lost Adventures was likewise! Mikkel was very responsive and would make sure to answer all my open questions before my departure. The whole experience - from my very first question until my departure from camp - as well as the team and people involved have been just amazing.

To anyone thinking about a wildlife & conservation experience in South Africa I can totally recommend this project as well as Lost Adventures.

Pascal Spänni

Switzerland

Exciting volunteer experience in Greater Kruger, South Africa

I travelled to South Africa with Lost Adventures for 4 weeks in May this year, to volunteer at a wonderful project in Greater Kruger. Mikkel was extremely helpful in organising my trip and his knowledge of travelling around Africa and his attention to detail are excellent. My volunteer experience was much more than I could have imagined and I came home with many special memories and thousands of wildlife photographs.

I would definitely recommend Mikkel and Lost Adventures to anyone looking to book that special holiday and I have already rebooked another African adventure for myself and my daughter.

Jill Ashby wildlife ph

Australia

Shutter Safari in Botswana

I travelled to Botswana with my adult daughter in July this year. We did the Shutter Safari in Botswana and it was excellent. Set up with photography in mind, our superb guide, Shaka, knew how to position the jeep for good light and wonderful photographic opportunities, even with tricky viewings. (…)

The tents were very comfortable, especially with the addition of hot water bottles to warm our beds and these were reheated in the mornings, ready to have under our blankets in the jeep for the cooler early starts. The food was delicious and we were constantly amazed at the very high standard of dishes, including vegetarian options, that were created in the camp kitchen, quite incredible! A nice touch was the freshly baked Victoria sponge cake which was ready every afternoon on our return from our safari drive! The wilderness camping experience was one we would do again in a heartbeat. (…)

Mikkel at Lost Adventures is extremely helpful and has a comprehensive knowledge of safari options available in Africa. He made sure our trip went without a hitch and was always able to be contacted throughout if we needed anything. I highly recommend Lost Adventures and hope to book another trip with them again very soon.

Jill Ashby

Australia

"Perfect and well-organized vacation

As a family, traveling from three different countries in Europe, we had a very specific timeframe, within which it was possible for us to meet up. Presenting our timeframe, wishes and preferences, Mikkel created the perfect itinerary for us. Taking also into consideration the weather and the time of year, Mikkel assembled a luxurious adventure, a once in a lifetime experience for us all. (...)

The game drives and lodgings were all above our expectations, also thanks to our incredible and kind guide Stephen who had a great knowledge about the nature and the animals. From
Serengeti we flew to Zanzibar and had 4 amazing days relaxing at the pool, swimming in the ocean, scuba diving and sampling the food of our resort.

All in all the most perfect vacation, facilitated mainly by Mikkel's attention to the wishes we had put forward, and with his kind support before, during and after the vacation."

Per Gervi Pedersen

Denmark

"Fairytale holiday in Botswana and Tanzania

I have just come back from a week of Safari at Seregenti, in Tanzania and was previously for a month at Modisa in Botswana. Both these holidays were organised by Mikkel of Lost Adventures. I had a fairytale time in both! Immersed in Nature at Modisa I lived alongside the wildlife sharing the same space with lions, oryx, elands, wildebeest, springbox, etc. (...)

This amazing fairytale holiday of mine continued with my week of Safari in Serengeti in Tanzania. (...)
Amazing time I had!

I can't recommend Lost Adventures enough for creating a holiday tailored to my personal needs, for their excellent communication and overall for the very high quality of these two holidays in both Botswana and Tanzania I had through them. Thank you Mikkel of Lost Adventures."

Despina Steiert

United Kingdom

"Our first safari trip went to Tanzania

Our first safari trip went to Tanzania. We visit Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and then we flew on to Northern Serengeti. Mikkel Legarth arranged and tailored our six-days experience. From the first contact Mikkel delivered the most professional and excellent service. The itinerary was detailed and updated as we went along.

The beautiful pictures matched completely. In Tanzania Asilia Company gave us a superb and outstanding service. The two guides Erasto and Amos were top professional and had an impressive knowledge. All the staff at Gibb’s Farm and Sayari Camp were perfect hosts considering our needs and wishes all the time. Both gave us the little extra that makes the experience even better and memorable.

Mikkel did a fantastic job as he ensured that everything was according to the plan - all the way.
We warmly recommend Lost Adventures- as all parties show a genuine interest in the guests and their dreams."

Sonja Kim

Denmark

"The best family safari experience

Lost Adventures arranged a 7-day family safari for me and my two kids (age 11 and 17) in Tanzania. The program was set up perfectly!

We stayed at different lodges and camps, with the nicest people and excellent accomodations. Our guide was the best! Everyday he delivered animal experiences that exceeded our expectations, and we got to see the big five - and all the other animals we had hoped for, like giraffes and huge herds of wildebeests and zebras.

This was an experience of a lifetime!”

Målfrid Røe

Norway

"Amazing african safari

Me and my grandfather were on a 9-day safari which exceeded our expectations. (…) We heard lions, hyenas, and hippos calling close to our tent, and even one night an elephant passed by.

The chef was amazing and made the most amazing food under the circumstances of living in the bush. We saw a big diversity of animals all the way from crocodiles to cheetahs and leopards, and their behavior was extraordinary to look at.

We can't thank Mikkel enough for planning this trip well through and being available to assist us 24/7!”

Philip Jensen

Denmark

"The trip of a lifetime!

Mikkel and Lost Adventures made true my dream of solo traveling in Africa!
I spent the most amazing two weeks in Botswana and Zimbabwe. (…) 

The whole trip exceeded all my expectations, and I will always be grateful for Mikkel’s help and engagement. He has a lot of knowledge about many different places in Africa and has an innate talent to find the perfect places that suit his clients. He was always available for questions during the planning of the trip as well as while I was traveling.

I strongly recommend Mikkel and Lost Adventures! He will make your dreams come true!”

Sofia Fernandez

Spain

"A once in a lifetime experience!!

Lost Adventures and Mikkel helped us book the most amazing trip to KenyaTanzania and Zanzibar. (..) Mikkel has a lot of knowledge of different countries in Africa and which places to visit. He also gave us support right from the beginning and was very helpful with all the questions we had. He stood by on mail, sms, phone call and video conference.”

Manfred & Ulrike Rieser

Austria

Why we love wildlife photography internship

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It’s the Real Deal

This Wildlife Photography Internship stands out for its realness. You’re not just observing wildlife - you’re out there learning how to photograph it responsibly, understanding the role images play in conservation, and gaining meaningful insights from an experienced mentor.

Wild Places, Personal Impact

We love that it’s immersive but approachable. The Greater Kruger is one of the most iconic wildlife regions in Africa, and this internship gives you the chance to explore it with purpose. It’s an ideal blend of creative growth and conservation, designed to leave you feeling inspired, challenged, and part of something bigger.

Creative Growth, at Your Pace

There’s space to grow – technically and creatively. With expert support and a flexible learning environment, you’ll sharpen your eye, build your portfolio, and gain confidence behind the lens. Whether you’re a beginner or on your way to pro, this experience meets you where you are and helps you level up.

Connection That Lasts

Most of all, this experience connects people – with nature, with conservation, and with each other. You’ll share fireside chats, early morning drives, and shared wins in the field. It’s the kind of place where purpose builds friendships, and from our own experience, those connections last long after the trip ends.

Make an enquiry for

Internship with Wildlife Photography

Once we receive your enquiry, we will swiftly check for availability and aim to get back to you within 2 business days. Please note that sending this enquiry does not create any obligations for you.

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