Botswana Grasslands Internship

Wildlife conservation and San cultural learning in the Kalahari, with standard, family and mature internship options.

Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Learning in Botswana

The Botswana Grasslands Internship takes place at Grasslands Safari Lodge, on private land bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The lodge has been run by the same family for eight generations. Here, practical conservation tasks sit alongside time learning from the San community and supporting the continuation of Naro cultural knowledge.

You can assist with rhino monitoring, African wild dog conservation, wildlife observations, camera traps and the daily care of horses. The standard, family and mature options share this setting and conservation focus, with differences in accommodation, pace and departure dates.

Stays begin at one week. Two weeks or longer are recommended for a more extended experience, subject to available dates. A medium level of fitness is required; speak to SAVE about suitability before booking.

Travel, Arrivals and Length of Stay

Your arrival airport is Maun International Airport in Botswana. The road transfer to Grasslands Safari Lodge takes approximately five hours and passes through 16 farm gates. An optional light aircraft transfer takes approximately 50 minutes and costs extra.

Arrival and departure days are scheduled Mondays. A one week stay departs on day 8; a two week stay departs on day 15. The guides allow flights at any time on the scheduled day, but confirm your flight and transfer arrangements with SAVE before booking travel.

The minimum stay is one week. Ask about longer stays and available dates for your chosen option.

Grasslands Internship

For participants aged 16 and over who want practical conservation work and a rustic tented camp experience.

- Minimum one week; longer stays recommended
- Tents with stretcher beds and shared facilities
- En suite lodge upgrades cost extra

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Family Grasslands Internship

Conservation and cultural learning together, with an en suite room at the main lodge.

No minimum age stated; confirm activity suitability for each child
Base package: one adult & one child under 12
Other family combinations quoted individually

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Mature Grasslands Internship

Designed for travellers aged 40 and over who prefer a more relaxed pace and en suite lodge accommodation.

Medium fitness required; discuss individual suitability
Separate mature departure dates
Confirm age eligibility with SAVE

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What You Will Do

Activities combine wildlife conservation, cultural learning and practical reserve support. The daily schedule follows wildlife needs, weather and operational priorities. Riding is offered where appropriate to experience and suitability.

RHINO MONITORING

Join rhino patrols, learn monitoring and safety procedures, assist with supplementary feed and help inspect or repair fences around wildlife areas.

WILDLIFE & CAMERA TRAPS

Record species, animal numbers, male and female ratios and young animals at waterholes. Set night cameras, retrieve footage, log sightings and review wildlife movement patterns.

WILD DOG CONSERVATION

Learn about African wild dog conservation and predator management. Support feeding routines, observations and predator camp cleaning and maintenance as directed by the team.

SAN CULTURAL LEARNING

Learn tracking, traditional fire making, survival skills and knowledge of the Kalahari from San community members. Cultural briefings introduce respectful engagement and Naro cultural preservation.

HORSE CARE & RESERVE WORK

Feed, groom and move horses into grazing camps. Assist with training and Western Mounted Games preparation, with guided outrides or mounted patrols where suitable. Help with waterhole cleaning, fence patrols, firewood and camp support.

Standard Botswana Grasslands Internship

The standard option is for participants aged 16 and over who are comfortable with practical outdoor work and rustic accommodation. There is no stated maximum age, and a medium level of fitness is required.

Stay in the tented camp a short distance from the lodge, with stretcher beds, shared flush toilets and showers, basic solar charging and hot water from a rustic boiler. The camp is unfenced, so following the team’s wildlife safety guidance is essential.

A shared open lounge with camp chairs, tables and a nearby fire pit gives participants space to relax. En suite lodge chalets can be requested at an additional cost.

Minimum stay: one week; two weeks or longer recommended
Arrival and departure: scheduled Mondays via Maun
Accommodation: tented camp, with a paid lodge upgrade option
Focus: wildlife conservation, cultural learning and practical reserve support

Skills and Experience You Can Develop

Build practical experience in wildlife monitoring, camera trap review, conservation record keeping, horse care and working in a remote reserve. Learn traditional tracking and bush skills with the San community.

Where needed, participants can help with social media content, guest engagement and sharing lodge activities that support sustainable tourism. Discuss these opportunities with the team.

Life at the Tented Camp

The standard option uses an unfenced camp a short distance from the lodge, with stretcher beds, shared flush toilets and showers, basic solar charging and hot water from a rustic boiler.
An open lounge with tables, camp chairs and a nearby fire pit provides space to relax. Follow the team’s wildlife safety instructions. Lodge chalets with private bathrooms are available at an additional cost.

Family & Mature Accommodation

Family and mature participants stay in en suite rooms at the main lodge, with proper bedding, a private bathroom and easy access to the lounge, dining area and fireside seating.
The family option encourages shared participation. The mature option balances practical tasks with observation and rest. Discuss activity suitability and any
mobility requirements before booking.

Duration and Suitability

Minimum stay: one to two weeks or longer recommended
Standard option: ages 16+ and over, with no maximum age stated
Family option: no minimum age stated; confirm each child’s participation
Mature option: designed for 40+ travellers; confirm eligibility
Medium level of fitness required for outdoor tasks
Scheduled Monday arrivals and departures via Maun

Family Botswana Grasslands Internship

Share conservation activities and cultural learning as a family while staying in an en suite room at the main lodge. The family option gives parents and children opportunities to learn about wildlife, explore camera trap footage and spend time with the San community together.

The guide states no minimum age. This does not mean every activity is suitable for every child: ask SAVE to confirm participation, supervision and riding arrangements for the ages in your family before booking.

The base package is priced for one adult and one child under 12. Additional adults, children and different family combinations can be quoted individually.

Accommodation: room at the main lodge with a private bathroom
Activities: family participation in conservation and cultural learning
Duration: minimum one week, with longer stays recommended
Dates: the family guide lists the same departures as the standard option

Mature Botswana Grasslands Internship

Designed for travellers aged 40 and over, the mature option combines conservation involvement with a more relaxed daily rhythm and an en suite room at the main lodge.

Take part in horse care, wildlife monitoring, camera trap review and cultural learning, with time for observation and rest. The guide describes riding at your comfort level and a choice between mounted patrols and watching wildlife at waterholes.

A medium level of fitness is still required. Share any mobility or activity requirements with SAVE so the team can confirm whether the setting and tasks suit you.

Accommodation: room at the main lodge with a private bathroom
Pace: practical contribution balanced with rest and quieter observation
Departures: a separate mature date schedule
Eligibility: designed for 40+ travellers; confirm age eligibility when enquiring

Meals, Facilities and Daily Life

Breakfast: Fresh bread, cereals, yoghurt, fruit and spreads.
Lunch: Light meals such as pasta, vegetable pizza, salads and bread.
Dinner: Three courses, with lodge dining subject to space; meals may otherwise be served at camp.
Afternoon tea: Available daily.
Drinks: Available from the lodge bar, or bring supplies from Maun.
WiFi: Available at the main lodge. The standard tented camp does not have WiFi.
Laundry: One week participants can request laundry at an additional fee. Two week participants receive one complimentary wash of selected clothing.
Personal laundry: Lodge staff do not wash undergarments. Hand washing powder and a small drying line are provided at the participant camp.

Your Botswana Grasslands Internship Itinerary

A Typical Week at Grasslands

This sample follows the first week described in the guides. Family and mature experiences follow a similar sequence, with different pacing. Longer stays continue according to the team’s needs.

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome

Arrive at Maun International Airport and transfer to Grasslands. Settle into your accommodation, attend safety and cultural introductions and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Orientation and Introductions

Learn wildlife safety and cultural etiquette, tour the property and ask questions. Get introductions to horse care, African wild dog conservation, rhino monitoring and camera traps.

Day 3: Conservation and San Cultural Activities

Help with morning horse and rhino care, learn tracking and bush skills, support predator conservation and record waterhole observations. Afternoon work may include horse training and mounted games preparation, followed by data review.

Day 4: Horse Care and Reserve Tasks

Help with horse care, guided outrides where appropriate, fence patrols and waterhole monitoring. Family and mature guides also include camp support; the mature itinerary specifically includes gathering, cutting and stacking firewood.

Day 5: Rhino Patrols and Wildlife Monitoring

Join rhino patrols, inspect fences and assist with basic repairs. Monitor waterholes, take part in a mounted patrol where suitable or continue observations, then help set up night cameras.

Day 6: Camera Traps and Predator Camp Work

Retrieve cameras, review overnight footage and log sightings. Help with predator camp cleaning, fence inspections and waterhole observations.

Day 7: Flexible Activities and Weekly Review

Optional activities include game drives, horse riding, wildlife viewing and rest. Daily care support may continue. Review wildlife records, analyse footage and summarise the week’s findings with the team.

Day 8: Departure

Return to Maun by road or a separately arranged charter flight. Reflect on the skills learned, conservation tasks supported and cultural experiences shared.

Internship Dates for 2026 and 2027

Standard and family departures share a schedule. Mature departures have separate dates. These dates are listed in the supplied guides and remain subject to confirmation and availability.

Standard and Family Dates

Upcoming 2026 stays

One week: 16 November to 23 November 2026
Two weeks: 16 November to 30 November 2026

2027: One week

4 January – 11 January
1 February – 8 February
1 March – 8 March
29 March – 5 April
26 April – 3 May
24 May – 31 May
21 June – 28 June
19 July – 26 July
16 August – 23 August
13 September – 20 September
11 October – 18 October
8 November – 15 November
6 December – 13 December

2027: Two weeks

4 January – 18 January
1 February – 15 February
29 March – 12 April
26 April – 10 May
24 May – 7 June
21 June – 5 July
19 July – 2 August
16 August – 30 August
13 September – 27 September
11 October – 25 October
8 November – 22 November
6 December – 20 December

Mature Dates

Next 2026 arrival

One week: 30 November to 7 December 2026
Two weeks: 30 November to 14 December 2026

2027: One week

18 January – 25 January
15 February – 22 February
8 March – 15 March
12 April – 19 April
10 May – 17 May
7 June – 14 June
5 July – 12 July
2 August – 9 August
30 August – 6 September
27 September – 4 October
25 October – 1 November
22 November – 29 November

2027: Two weeks, plus a special three week stay

18 January – 1 February
15 February – 1 March
8 March – 29 March Special 3-Week Date
12 April – 26 April
10 May – 24 May
7 June – 21 June
5 July – 19 July
2 August – 16 August
30 August – 13 September
27 September – 11 October
25 October – 8 November
22 November – 6 December

The 8 to 29 March 2027 mature stay is three weeks.

What to Pack for the Kalahari

Pack for outdoor work and large temperature changes between daytime and night. Families should bring appropriate essentials for each family member.

Clothing: Lightweight long sleeve shirts, practical long trousers, a warm fleece or jacket, layers and a wide brim hat.
Footwear and work items: Walking shoes or light boots, casual shoes or sandals, and light gloves for practical tasks.
Daily essentials: Headlamp or torch, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries, a daypack and a reusable water bottle.
Useful extras: Binoculars, camera and charging equipment, a notebook, personal medication and a small first aid kit.
Optional: Swimwear, subject to available lodge facilities.

Health, Insurance and Participation

Grasslands is in a remote part of the Kalahari. Comprehensive medical insurance covering emergency evacuation to Maun, onward transfer to South Africa if required, and repatriation is essential.

The lodge has a first aid kit, basic first aid trained staff and a landing strip that operates in daylight. Staff are not medical practitioners. Fixed wing or helicopter evacuation may be arranged when required; confirm coverage and emergency arrangements before travelling.

Activities involve outdoor work and a medium level of fitness. Discuss suitability, children’s participation and any health or mobility requirements with SAVE before booking. All wildlife tasks follow the team’s safety instructions.

Internship enquiries: bookings@volunteering.org.za | +27 73 333 4338

Botswana Grasslands Internship FAQs

What is the Botswana Grasslands Internship?

A practical conservation and cultural learning experience at Grasslands Safari Lodge, on private land bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Choose the standard, family or mature option.

How do the three internship options differ?

Standard participants are aged 16 and over and stay in the tented camp. Families stay in en suite lodge rooms; the guide states no minimum age, but activity suitability must be confirmed. The mature option is designed for 40+ travellers, with lodge rooms, a relaxed pace and separate dates.

How do I get to Grasslands and how long can I stay?

Fly to Maun International Airport. The road transfer takes approximately five hours, while an optional light aircraft transfer takes approximately 50 minutes at an additional cost. Arrivals and departures are scheduled Mondays. Stay for at least one week; two weeks or longer are recommended.

How much does the internship cost?

Request a current quote for your dates, duration and chosen option. The family base package covers one adult and one child under 12; other combinations are quoted individually. Ask SAVE to confirm all inclusions and additional costs before booking.

Do I need riding experience?

Riding is offered where appropriate to ability and suitability. Share your experience with SAVE to confirm available activities. There are also horse care, camera trap and wildlife monitoring tasks.

Can I choose different activities or dates?

Tasks and schedules can change with weather, operational needs and conservation priorities. Mature departures have a separate schedule. The guide lists a special three week mature stay from 8 to 29 March 2027. Confirm dates and suitability before booking.

Where can I find the full internship guides?

Use the Request Details and Guide buttons for the standard, family or mature option, or email bookings@volunteering.org.za. Include your preferred dates and duration, and children’s ages for a family enquiry.

Enquire About the Botswana Grasslands Internship

Tell SAVE which option you prefer, when you would like to travel and how long you would like to stay. The team can confirm availability, costs, suitability and the detailed itinerary.

For a family enquiry, include the number of adults and children and each child’s age. Contact bookings@volunteering.org.za or use the enquiry button below.