SANParks Bursary South Africa 2027

 

South African National Parks (SANParks) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year.

SANParks is offering a comprehensive bursary award, with selection based on the following factors: academic performance, gender (SANParks hopes to increase the participation of women), ability (preference will be given to those living with disabilities) and designated groups.

Shortlisted/successful candidates will be contacted by 30 January 2027 – if you do not receive any feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

 

Bursaries will be awarded to students residing near National Parks, and will cover undergraduate National Diploma or Degree studies, including but not limited to, the following fields:

• Emerging Scarce Skills (including GIS, Analytics, Cyber security, Renewable Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Economists, Entrepreneurship).
• Environmental Sciences (including Nature Conservation, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Green Energy, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development and Game Ranch Management).
• Infrastructure and Built Environment (including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Project Management).
• Social Sciences (including Community Development, Economic Development, Socio-Economic Development and related Development studies).
• Technical and Artisan Trades (including Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Millwrights, Mechanics, Technicians, Solar Technicians, Refrigerator Technicians, Water and Wastewater Technicians).
• Tourism (including Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Resort Management, Tour Guide, Events and Conference Management).

This external bursary programme hopes to benefit young individuals living in communities near/ surrounding the National Parks.

 

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years old
• You must reside in communities neighbouring or adjacent to of the National Parks, which include:
  • Eastern Cape: Addo Elephant National Park (Gqeberha), Camdeboo National Park (Graaff-Reinet), Garden Route National Park (Wilderness, Knysna and Storms River), Mountain Zebra National Park (Cradock)
  • Free State: Golden Gate Highlands National Park (Clarens)
  • Limpopo: Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park (Musina), Marakele National Park (Thabazimbi)
  • Mpumalanga: Kruger National Park
  • Northern Cape: Augrabies Falls National Park (Upington), Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Northern Cape), Mokala National Park (Kimberley), Namaqua National Park (Springbok), Tankwa Karoo National Park, Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
  • Western Cape: Table Mountain National Park (Cape Town), West Coast National Park (Langebaan), Agulhas National Park (L’Agulhas), Bontebok National Park (Swellendam), Garden Route National Park (Wilderness, Knysna and Storms River), Karoo National Park (Beaufort West), Tankwa Karoo National Park
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must intend on studying full-time towards an undergraduate undergraduate Diploma or Degree, within one of the fields listed above
• You must be entering your 1st year of study in 2027
• You must have applied or been accepted to study at an accredited public institution of Higher Education in South Africa (University/ University of Technology/ TVET college)
• You must have a total household income or NOT more than R350 000 per year

 

How to apply:

Students who meet all of the above criteria, can apply via email to: happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org

 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application email (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric latest results (certified copy)
• Proof of acceptance letter from your tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• Proof of address
• Motivational letter stating why you need the bursary award and your field of study

 

Closing date: 21 August 2026.

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)