SANParks Bursary 2025-2026

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About SANParks (South African National Parks):

SANParks, or the South African National Parks, was established in accordance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003). Its primary objective is to oversee the conservation of landscapes, biodiversity, and related heritage assets in South Africa through a national park system.

SANParks manages a comprehensive system of 19 operational National Parks spread across 7 of South Africa’s 9 provinces. These parks collectively cover an area of over 4 million hectares, contributing to 67% of the protected areas under state management. SANParks is recognized globally as a leader in conservation and protected area management.

Consistently, SANParks strives to enhance tourism and conservation management to reconnect South African people and the world with nature. It also encourages the participation of South African communities in various biodiversity initiatives to attain socioeconomic and educational benefits.

One of SANParks’ key strategies is to provide access, promote community support, and share benefits with local communities. To this end, SANParks has initiated its Bursary Programme for 2025-2026, designed to benefit learners from local communities neighboring National Parks.

SANParks Bursary 2025-2026:

SANParks (South African National Parks) is inviting applications from aspiring young individuals for its external bursary program. This bursary opportunity is available to young talents entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the academic year 2025-2026.

Applicants must pursue full-time national diplomas or degrees in fields related to, but not limited to:

Social Sciences
Youth Development
Environmental Sciences, including Environmental Management, Nature Conservation, and Game Ranch Management
Community Development and Development Studies
Hospitality Management/Tourism Studies

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants for the SANParks Bursary must meet the following criteria:

Must be South African citizens.
Should be students from communities living near National Parks as defined in their management plans.
Must enroll in full-time academic diploma or degree programs at accredited South African universities, colleges, or universities of technology.
Must be entering post-matric studies in 2025-2026.
Must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
The bursary is also open to learners pursuing qualifications at TVET colleges.
Proof of application and admission to an accredited and recognized Higher Education institution is required.
Students currently registered at a Higher Education Institution must have a 100% pass rate, having passed all the courses they registered for in the completed period.

How to Apply:

Interested students can submit their applications online through the SANParks Bursary Application for 2025-2026.

If you have not been contacted by SANParks by 30 January 2025-2026, consider your application unsuccessful.

Required Documents:

Applicants must attach the following documents along with their application form:

A detailed and updated CV.
Certified copy of the ID document.
Certified copy of the latest academic record.
Proof of residential address.
Acceptance letter from an accredited/registered Higher Education public institution (University of Technology or University TVET).
Motivation letter explaining the reasons for applying for the SANParks bursary and the field of study you have chosen.
If you receive a social grant, attach an affidavit demonstrating that your income is below the threshold.

Incomplete or missing documents may result in the rejection of your application.