Volunteer: Environmental + Travel Photography Programme in South Africa
Overview
Location: Mossel Bay, South Africa. Duration: 4 weeks. Start Dates: Each month – enquire when applying. Cost: $3,900 USD per month.
Fee Includes
- All food, accommodation, pre‑departure and in‑country support
- Orientation and all project‑related activities
Fee Does Not Include
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending
- Visas and vaccinations
Benefits
Gain hands‑on experience working with and learning from an environmental and media company in South Africa. Ideal for interns interested in documentary filmmaking and creating a 5‑minute video to showcase their skills.
Program Overview
You will work with an environmental and media company focused on bringing attention to environmental issues specific to Africa. We collaborate with broadcasters, corporations, NGOs, print media and online news outlets. The course is not limited to land‑based work; underwater photography also takes place.
Key Learning Outcomes
- Develop, film and edit your own wildlife documentary set in an African game reserve.
- Learn camera operation, directing, producing, script‑writing, editing and broadcasting.
- Acquire journalistic writing, narrative, travel writing and environmental journalism skills.
Schedule
- Week 1 – Orientation
- Orientation to Mossel Bay and the program.
- Intro to journalism and journalistic writing styles.
- Narrative writing workshop and assessment.
- Guided edits and personalised learning system creation.
- Intro to ethics, standards and practices.
- Expedition to the archaeologically significant Point area of Mossel Bay – the origins of humankind.
- Week 2 – Editing & Interviewing
- Rewriting and editing tutorials.
- Guided and self‑guided edits of previous submissions.
- Interviewing techniques – what are they?
- Research: conduct research on two individuals and prep for mock interview.
- Practical: writing and submission of Interview 1 + 2.
- Week 3 – Travel Writing
- Research: conduct research on specific upcoming expeditions.
- Expeditions: number of different expeditions with travel writing and blogging.
- Practical: writing, submission and editing of articles 1 – 7.
- Week 4 – Environmental Journalism
- Research and prep for final piece.
- Self‑led interviews and source finding.
- Practical: writing, submission and editing of EVJ piece.
- Reserve Stay (9 days)
- Live on a reserve and film wildlife documentary.
Exploration Days
We will travel to the Garden Route region of South Africa, visiting sites such as Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Albertinia, Sedgefield, Wilderness.
Work Days & Weekend Activities
The program runs on weekdays only. During weekends you may participate in activities and tours or relax.
Key Skills / Keywords
- wildlife documentary filmmaking
- media career development
- environmental and wildlife issues in Africa