Learn the work
behind the wild places
Bushwise
Conservation Short Course 2-24 weeks
A short, immersive course offering practical insight into conservation practices and ecological management.
DURATIONS: 2-24 WEEKS
NEXT START DATE: 9 MAY 2026
FORMAT: ON-CAMPUS
ACCREDITATION: BUSHWISE
AGE: 18+
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A focused step into the world of conservation
Hands-on conservation training for anyone passionate about wildlife and ecosystems
Build conservation knowledge, skills and techniques with flexible, modular training. You choose the focus, from wildlife tech to species recovery, working alongside researchers and conservationists for anywhere from 2 to 24 weeks. You can increase your stay in 2-week increments, tailoring the hands-on experience to fit your specific interests and your own schedule.
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Build practical conservation skills in the field
This modular short course lets you customise your training in the heart of a Big Five reserve. Each CRM (conservation research module) spans about 2 weeks. You can join us for a single module or stay for up to 6 months, choosing the specific areas of conservation you want to explore.
Here’s a snapshot of the 12 CRMs that make up the 6 months and some of the activities in them:
Walk fence lines to check for gaps, map tourism routes to keep wildlife safe, and record how vehicles affect animal behaviour. You’ll also learn how to balance busy safari routes with quiet research zones.
Help the land heal by removing invasive plants, building rock walls to stop soil erosion, and monitoring birth rates for elephants and rhinos to see how these iconic populations are bouncing back.
Track predators using radio telemetry, identify individual rhinos and elephants by their unique markings, and learn to read the "morning newspaper" of tracks and signs left in the sand overnight.
Track lions and leopards near reserve boundaries to prevent conflict, find potential elephant breakout points, and work with local communities to develop ways for people and wildlife to live together safely.
Go on snare sweeps to protect wildlife from poaching, run waste audits to keep the camp sustainable, and examine animal scat for signs of plastic to monitor the direct impact of pollution on the bush.
Set up camera traps to find shy animals, conduct sunrise bird counts, and measure grass and trees to see how the habitat supports everything from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
Teach environmental lessons in local schools, document traditional uses for plants like the Marula tree, and interview local residents to understand their views on living alongside large predators.
Track daily weather patterns, map how herds move when water gets scarce during droughts, and identify invasive plants that might be spreading because of changing temperatures and rainfall.
Master the use of radio antennas and GPS units, troubleshoot camera trap hardware, and learn how to maintain professional field gear like binoculars and spotting scopes in a demanding environment.
Record activity budgets for cheetahs to track time spent resting versus hunting and monitor predator interactions at carcasses. You’ll also use time-stamped camera trap footage to map the nocturnal activity of shy species and measure flight initiation distances of prey species.
Create species spotlights and blog posts based on field sightings and co-lead interpretive walks explaining tracks and signs. You’ll also design infographics to communicate conservation data and teach others how to upload observations to global citizen science databases.
Analyse population trends for key species and track operational data like the quantity of snares removed during sweeps. You’ll also evaluate the success of community outreach programs and help draft a "Theory of Change" to link daily field tasks to long-term conservation goals.
Itinerary
This is an example of what a typical day might look like. Modules and activities can be adjusted depending on focus, weather, and operational needs.
During your course, you will have weekends off where you can rest, study, or go sightseeing.
Morning: Field research and data collection
Start by exploring Southern Africa’s major ecosystems. You’ll learn how these habitats function, the key ecological processes that keep them balanced, and how species interact. Expect hands-on activities that bring these concepts to life in the field.
Midday: Brunch and theory
Head back to camp at 11:00 am. The middle of the day is your time for a bit of downtime, self-study, or heading into the classroom for a theory session. You might spend time in the education room looking at textbooks or scientific papers linked to your current module.
Afternoon: Practical workshops and tech
Afternoons are for practical exercises and workshops. You could be setting up camera traps at waterholes, entering research data in the lab, or practicing with conservation gear like drones or GPS units. It’s all about applying the science you learned in the morning.
Evening: Campfire and reflection
Wrap up the day around 6:00 pm with an evening meal at the hub or around a campfire. It’s a chance to unwind, share findings from the day, and prep your gear for the next morning.
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Weekends
Saturday and Sunday are your time to rest and recharge. You can use these days to catch up on study at the hub, relax in a hammock, or head out to explore nearby highlights like Kruger National Park or the Blyde River Canyon.
Location
Your training takes place in Karongwe Game Reserve, Limpopo. You’ll be fully immersed in nature while living in a Big Five Game Reserve.
Living here gives you direct access to a complex, fenced ecosystem. You’ll be training right where the action is, surrounded by diverse bushveld habitats and bordering local community lands. It’s a setting that allows you to see exactly how conservation management, wildlife protection and community coexistence work in the real world.
Campus life gives you direct access to the natural environment. You’ll train in an outdoor classroom surrounded by game, bushveld habitats, and nearby agricultural and community trust lands – an unbeatable setting for learning the ropes of conservation work.
To help you hit the ground running, you’ll join our pre-departure WhatsApp group before your course begins. Here, you can meet your fellow students, ask questions, and get guidance from our team, so you’ll already feel part of the Bushwise community before your first day on campus.
Karongwe
Your home at Karongwe is a large, renovated farmhouse that you’ll share with our staff and other participants from all over the world.
The campus is solar-powered to keep our footprint light. Accommodation is in dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms. You’ll have full access to everything at Karongwe, including the data and research rooms and an education room packed with textbooks, scientific papers, and preserved bones. If you need to focus on your assignments, there’s a dedicated intern corner with desk space and charging stations.
When you’re relax, the social and work spaces are all close together, making it easy to connect with the team. You can relax in a hammock or swing chair, or catch a documentary on the projector. There’s also a volleyball court, weights, and yoga mats for those who want to be active!
| Campus
Karongwe
Your home at Karongwe is a large, renovated farmhouse that you’ll share with our staff and other participants from all over the world.
The campus is solar-powered to keep our footprint light. Accommodation is in dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms. You’ll have full access to everything at Karongwe, including the data and research rooms and an education room packed with textbooks, scientific papers, and preserved bones. If you need to focus on your assignments, there’s a dedicated intern corner with desk space and charging stations.
When you’re relax, the social and work spaces are all close together, making it easy to connect with the team. You can relax in a hammock or swing chair, or catch a documentary on the projector. There’s also a volleyball court, weights, and yoga mats for those who want to be active!
Dates & fees
Set start dates
2-24 week course | from R62,595
2026
9 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 10 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 21 Nov, 5 Dec, 19 Dec
Payment plan
Plan 1
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A deposit secures your booking
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First instalment due 20 weeks before the course start date
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Final instalment due 12 weeks before the course start date
Plan 2
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A deposit secures your booking
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The balance is split into six instalments leading up to the course start date
Plan 3
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Custom deposit secures your booking
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The balance is split into equal instalments, with the final instalment due 3 months into the course
Fund your Bushwise course!
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Discounts of up to R50,000
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Grants & scholarships of up to R100,000
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Student loans available
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What’s included
Learning resources & activities
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Bushwise Conservation Short course information and certificate (upon completion)
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Training conducted by experienced long-term staff
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Game drives and other conservation-related activities, i.e., setting up camera traps
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Entrance fees for excursions, where applicable and related to the course curriculum
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Assistance with booking other extracurricular activities
Living resources
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All meals (except during off weeks)
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Fleece jacket, cap, and beanie
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Two sets of uniforms
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Accommodation includes:
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Shared room
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Desk, cupboard, and fan
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Boma and braai area
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Space to exercise
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Social area
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Free Wi-Fi
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Library of books
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Communal or shared en-suite bathroom
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Limited laundry services
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Support services
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Pre-departure support
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Pre-departure WhatsApp group
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Location orientation
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24-hour in-country support
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24-hour emergency phone
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Emergency support from Bushwise on-site staff
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Daily briefings
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Final feedback session
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Access to our alumni program
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Access to our unique in-house recruitment program
What’s not included
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Flights
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Transfers to the campus on arrival and departure
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Medical and travel insurance
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Police clearance or background check fees
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Personal workwear, such as hiking shoes and jackets
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Bushwise uniform (can be purchased after arrival)
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International and domestic airport taxes
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Additional drinks and gratuities
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Compulsory and recommended reference books
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Extra local excursions
Advance your conservation career
This short course is part of a larger 6- or 12-month Practical Conservation Course. This course includes an optional 6-month work placement and a career guarantee. To explore the full course, click here.