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.

A collaboration of projects and vets
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:
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.
Costs and Dates
DATES
Enquire for availability.
Group tailor-made bookings are available on request (minimum 8 ppl).
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).
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 £170 GBP / $210 USD / *R3400 ZAR (subject to change) per day for 13-15 days.