Wildlife Vet Experience, Limpopo

The most authentic, ethical and exciting hands-on vet experience available!

Discover the ultimate wildlife vet programme, crafted for aspiring veterinarians seeking unparalleled hands-on experience. Embrace authenticity, ethics, and excitement as you delve into real-world scenarios unlike any other. Our exclusive package prioritizes affordability and excellence, ensuring top-notch training without compromising quality. Immerse yourself in collaborative projects, connect with renowned experts, and unwind in game lodge accommodation accompanied by traditional cuisine amidst the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa. Unlock the door to your veterinary dreams with us.

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A collaboration of projects and vets

The Expedition Project works with a number of wildlife vets, endangered species centres, rehabilitation programmes, and community projects to provide an ethical, realistic, holistic and varied opportunity to experience the real world of wildlife veterinary medicine in South Africa.

The Wildlife Vet Experience is designed to give students a realistic learning opportunity of what it is like to be a wildlife vet in South Africa. We do this by including the following:

  • Multiple vets with one lead vet
  • Multiple reserves and placement environments
  • Multiple species and procedure circumstances
  • Controlled and uncontrolled environments (eg: reserves and rehabilitation centres)
  • Community engagement interaction and understanding (to reduce human wildlife conflict)

Further highlights include:

  • Practical clinical EMS and AHEMS sign-offs – Safe place at all times to ask questions and learn from experts
  • 24-hour support crew – Support staff to round off your experience and provide you with excellent South African excursions, food and reserve accommodation
  • Professional airport pick up and drop off
  • Complementing activities and conservation topics
  • Delicious South African food
  • Fantastic reserve accommodation
  • Wildlife Vet Online discounts (up to 100% dependent on group size)

Discover more highlights by reading WVE blogs here

What you will be doing

Wildlife Vet Shadow and Reserve Management

Focus – Shadow experienced wildlife vets

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 more.

Summary – 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.

Learn more by reading WVE blogs here!

Topics

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 healthcare

Wildlife conservation:

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

Conservation in the community:

  • Wildlife education
  • Environmental conservation

 

Register here | Prep here

Contact

Register here.

Book an interview here.

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

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

DATES

  • 23 February – 8 March 2025 (groups only)
  • 6 – 19 July 2025
  • 3 – 16 August 2025
  • February – March 2026 (groups only)
  • June – August 2026

(Enquire for availability)

Group tailor-made bookings are available on request (4 to 14 ppl) – private group info pack download here.

Read the live blog here!

ARRIVAL

Sunday arrival at Hoedspruit Airport where you will be collected by our team (please arrive by 13:00 pm on your arrival day in order to meet our transfer time), and a Friday or Saturday departure (depending on the programme).

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

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

Please confirm all flights with us before booking!

COSTS

Starting at £220 GBP (subject to change) per day for 12/13 days Sunday to Friday/Saturday.

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


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Location

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