Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
Are you looking to gain some hands on Wildlife Veterinary Experience and whilst having the opportunity to spend your days out on a Big 5 Game Reserve. If so, our Waterberg Wildlife & Veterinary Course is the programme for you.
Situated on a 35,000 Hectare, Big 5 Game Reserve, the course allows participants to become part of the conservation team and work alongside researchers, wildlife vets and conservation professionals.
This course aims to provide those studying in the veterinary field with hands on practical experience in the wildlife field. Students will be based at the Wildlife Reserve’s research camp working directly with the conservation and research team. This is the department that runs and manages the day to day decisions and monitoring of the wildlife and eco system of the reserve. The team and their work is crucial to the management and welfare of all wildlife on the reserve; selecting which animals need to be removed from the reserve and which need to be added to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Although we cannot guarantee Veterinary Interactions we have included details of the activities, both veterinary and conservation focused, that past groups have been involved with:
Arrive Johannesburg Airport. Transfer by coach to Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Afternoon to settle in and relax.
AM - Introduction Presentation and Game Drive.
PM - Wildlife Transect - species ID, body condition and sex ratios.
Evening at Leisure.
AM - Lecture from Local Wildlife Vet.
PM - Practical Dart Gun Practice and Introduction to system.
Evening at Leisure.
AM: Telemetry practical session. PM: Vegetation Survey and Wilderness Walk. Evening at Leisure.
AM - Anti-Poaching Presentation and Debate. PM - Faecal Sampling and Laboratory work. Evening lecture on Wildlife Trade.
AM - Visit to Wildlife Auction
PM - Nocturnal Species Lecture and Night Drive.
Sunday at Leisure.
Off reserve excursions available to book, including: Ziplining, Horse Riding and Community Tour.
AM - Lecture and visit to bomas/breeding centre. PM - Post Mortem of Wildlife Species. Evening at Leisure.
AM - Exercise: Land Capacity Modelling. PM - Rhino Monitoring and ID Evening at Leisure.
AM - Dr Peter Caldwell at the reserve to present Veterinary Lectures and Practical work. PM - Veterinary Lectures and Practical work. Evening at Leisure.
AM - Veterinary Lectures and Practical work.
PM - Veterinary Lectures and Practical work.
Evening Camp Fire.
AM - Morning Game Drive or Trail.
PM - Depart Welgevonden Game Reserve for Johannesburg Airport and journey home.
Accommodation
The student centre and camp is based on the reserve and boasts twelve purpose built tents that sleep up to four people per tent in single beds, each tent also has lighting and electricity supply. There are communal hot and cold showers and regular flushing toilets. All meals are provided in a communal inside or outside dining room. There are a number of communal facilities including a lecture room, canteen, lounge, entertainment area and storage fridge. The centre also has access to Wi-Fi. The camp is fenced off inside the boundaries of the reserve; you can wake up and find an elephant 10 meters from your door!
Food
Three meals are provided daily on a self cook basis which are prepared communally by the group. Students will take part in communal cooking and keeping the kitchen tidy. Meals will either be served at the facility itself or taken as a pre-packed serving, depending on planned or as result of unscheduled activities.
Included
• Pre-departure support and documentation
• Programme fee and contribution
• Return international flights
• All transportation on project
• 24 hour in country support
• Accommodation for duration of stay
• 3 meals per day*
*Self Prepared
Not Included
• Personal travel insurance
• Any vaccinations as recommended by your GP
• Lunches on days of travel
• Soft drinks or snacks
• Any essential visas
• Any additional activities outside of project itinerary
Get in touch with any questions you may have regarding our Waterberg Wildlife & Veterinary Course – leave your contact details below and we’ll be more than happy to help!
If you’re interested to find out more, book an introductory presentation for your school or college group and we can visit to discuss our extraordinary projects in more detail.
Alternatively, if your group is now ready to enrol, click here to submit a booking form on their behalf.
GALLERY
Explore the fantastic memories we’ve captured along the way, to check out all the fun that’s to come!
