SANParks Bursary

Fields of study

• 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).

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 years old
• 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
• Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• Intend on studying full-time towards an undergraduate undergraduate Diploma or Degree, within one of the fields listed above
• Be entering your 1st year of study in 2027
• Have applied or been accepted to study at an accredited public institution of Higher Education in South Africa (University/ University of Technology/ TVET college)
• Have a total household income or NOT more than R350 000 per year

Documents you will need

• 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 (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
• Comprehensive updated Curriculum Vitae
• Affidavit showing that your income is less than the threshold (if receiving a social grant)

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   Email [email protected]Email [email protected]

   Students who meet all of the above criteria, can apply via email to: [email protected]

   (Insert the words “SANParks Bursary 2027” in the email subject line).

   Note: there is no application form to be completed for this bursary application – students need only submit the list of documents below to apply.

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around August. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Email [email protected]
• Phone 012 426 5173

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About SANParks

South African National Parks (SANParks) manages the country's national parks, including Kruger, Addo and Table Mountain.