Wildlife Vet Experience

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Highlights

Inspiring project and reserve visits

Credible wildlife vets

Practical clinical EMS and AHEMS sign-offs

24-hour support crew

Professional airport pick up and drop off

Complementing activities and conservation topics

Delicious South African food

And fantastic reserve accommodation

Discover more highlights by reading WVE blogs here

Summary

Have you been searching for a wildlife vet programme to gain some in-person, practical, real-world experience? You may be restricted by the cost or quality of the options out there. For this reason, we’ve designed an exclusive package just for vets-in-training that is both affordable and of high quality. It’s built around our principles of collaboration, credibility and accessibility by connecting communities and exceptional projects and experts while not sacrificing some of the fantastic food and accommodation that South Africa has to offer.

Dates

July and August 2022 ➜ Read the live blog here!

2023 dates:

Enquire for availability.

2024 dates:

Enquire for availability.

Group tailor-made bookings are available on request (minimum 8 ppl).

Arrival

Sunday arrival at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (or when possible / if advised – Hoedspruit Airport) where you will be collected by our team (please arrive by 10:30 am at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport on your arrival day in order to meet our transfer time).

Hoedspruit Airport is reached via a 1-hour connecting flight from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport.

Costs

Starting at £170 GBP / $210 USD / *R3400 ZAR (subject to change) per day for 13-15 days.

*Rate based on required South African Rand and therefore international currencies subject to change.

Register here.

Book a chat here.

Get planning here.

Contact us for details and help coordinating flight arrivals and departures.

Your experience includes

Selecting only 8 students per two weeks, the Wildlife Vet Experience will bring the Wildlife Vet Online course to life with a tour of projects, reserves plus wildlife vet shadowing. The experience includes the following highlights:

Wildlife Vet Shadow and Reserve Management

Focus – Shadow experienced wildlife vets

Wildlife Vets – A varying schedule of vets including Dr Peter Rogers (when available).

Summary – Observe/participate in clinical procedures, observe darting/capture techniques and helicopter darting (optional add-on). We aim to include the following – Assist with rehabilitation, Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques, Husbandry skills – handling and observation. When possible – Husbandry skills – physical exam, reproduction, and routine health care.

Conservation in the community

Focus – Wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife orphanage, community education and cheetah breeding

Projects – Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre plus Daktari Bush School, Nourish and HALO

Summary (HESC) – Monitoring and care of Cheetah, Wild Dogs, White Rhino, Lion, African Wild Cats, Ground Hornbills, Sable Antelope and more, feeding and assisting with or observing veterinary activities, learning about cheetah breeding, learning about hospital equipment, feeding rhinos, lions and leopard. When possible – Checks of cheetahs, Vaccination of cheetahs, Lime Sulphur treatment of cheetahs, Treatment of antelope for internal and external parasites. More details here.

Learn more by reading WVE blogs here!

Topics

We aim to include and allow you to sign off on the below topics. Please note that when working with wildlife, wildlife vets and wildlife conservation there are times when ethics or circumstances do not always allow schedules to run according to plan.

Clinical EMS:

Observe/participate in clinical procedures
Observe darting/capture techniques
Helicopter darting (optional add-on)

Husbandry skills:

Wildlife handling
Wildlife observation
Wildlife physical exam
Wildlife and/or captive routine health care

Wildlife conservation:

Assist with wildlife rehabilitation
Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques

Conservation in the community:

Wildlife education
Environmental conservation

Accommodation

(Subject to Change)

Local Area

Find out more about the Hoedspruit area here.

How to book

1. Register here.

2. Once your initial registration has been approved you will be invited to set up an interview here.

3. A deposit request to secure your spot will be sent to you.

4. Personalised support then follows – this includes payment plans and trip planning. Online planning is available here.

Before you travel

Consult our Travel Advice here and also refer to Government advice and regulations around COVID (South Africa here and the UK here) and prepare your Declaration for Travel if required.

The best way to prepare for this experience is to take our Wildlife Vet Online course and read about our partners.

Register here | Prep here | Learn more

“The Wildlife Vet Experience with The Expedition Project was life changing. From arriving at the airport to two friendly faces, to working with Dr Peter Rogers, other vets, and professionals they could not have been more welcoming, informative and encouraging. Getting a contrast between game reserve veterinary work and conservation / endangered species work was something I found invaluable. Being hands on and learning more about conservation, darting protocols, testing, common conditions, diseases and their treatment through practical experience was rewarding. With the added bonus of being able to give back to the local community at the same time made the experience unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in wildlife medicine who wants to make some amazing memories and give back to the local community at the same time.“
Josh, UK

“A truly incredible opportunity. I would recommend this to anyone who would like to find out more about work as a wildlife vet in South Africa. Thoroughly thought through and with some amazing staff, this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I made memories that I will cherish.“
Lizzie, UK

“Such an amazing opportunity and the application process couldn’t have been easier or more reassuring! All questions or queries are responded to very quickly and the team is super friendly and helpful in walking you through each detail involved in arranging your trip. If you are thinking of applying, definitely just go for it and you will not regret it.“
Izzie, UK

“The whole process of getting a spot was easy and straightforward. I’m really looking forward to the trip, I know I’ll be with knowledgeable people the whole time and learn a great deal. It will be a great experience for an aspiring wildlife vet.”
Emily, USA

“All the information regarding the trip is given to you on a concise and thorough manner and they are more than happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have! The entire process has been very straightforward and easy to complete. I can’t wait to fly out there and work with all these incredible people.”
Brett, USA

“Every part of the process with TEP has been great so far. The team are all very approachable and friendly, and care about you as an individual. I would recommend TEP to anyone. The wildlife vet experience has been thoroughly thought through and is an incredible opportunity, I can’t wait to take part!”
Clare, UK