From $3995
WILDLIFE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP PROJECT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Treat and Protect Wildlife as a Wildlife Vet Assistant
Get hands-on, incomparable experience in all facets of wildlife capture and wildlife veterinary procedures in beautiful South Africa. If you wish to learn more about being a wildlife veterinarian while making a positive impact on wildlife conservation, this is definitely the place for you!
This program is designed for people either already qualified as vets, someone that is in the process of becoming a vet (preferably minimum third-year student), or veterinary nurses who are looking to gain hands-on experience in all facets of wildlife capture and veterinary procedures. However, with the right experience, others may be considered.
Project Highlights
GAIN EXPERIENCE
PHARMACOLOGY
WILDLIFE CAPTURE
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
GAME RESERVE LIVING
Project Impact Areas
Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Wildlife Veterinary Internship Project in South Africa:
Project Destination
Discover an extraordinary project set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, located on South Africa’s coveted Garden Route. This exclusive haven beckons with its unparalleled natural beauty – dramatic coastlines, lush indigenous forests, winding rivers, and a vibrant symphony of wildlife. Explore a world of scenic wonder and temperate tranquility. Immerse yourself in the region’s rich tapestry of adventure, from hiking through ancient forests to kayaking along the sparkling coastline.
The Garden Route is dotted with charming towns, each with its own unique character. Relax in Plettenberg Bay, explore the shops and restaurants of Knysna, or go surfing in Jeffreys Bay.
Life At Base
Accommodation & Meals
Our farmhouse is based in the Mossel Bay area along the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. Depending on the season, we work from there and travel around the Western Cape. Sometimes work brings us to the Eastern and Northern Cape as well. Captures take place all over South Africa during our winter months so our accommodation will vary depending on locations. Accommodation away will be in comfortable farmhouses, tents, and lodges with either solar power or electricity.
We serve three meals a day. Meals will either be served on the farm or brought with us depending on our activities.
Breakfast is a self-serve continental breakfast (toast, cereals, muesli, yoghurt, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, tea and coffee). Lunch is typically a mix of sandwiches, wraps, salads, quiches and pasta-salads. We aim to make most of dinner meals over a fire and serve traditional South African meals like braai, bobotie with rice and vegetables, potjiekos (traditional stew) as well as popular hits like lasagne and build-your-own-pizza in our pizza oven.
NB. We do cater for specific dietary requirements (gluten-free, lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian etc.) but we there is a R250 per person per week surcharge applicable. Please notify us in advance.
Communication
South Africa has a number of different cellular network providers, for which SIM cards can be purchased from most shops or at any airport. Various packages allow for phone calls and/or data usage. Power and electricity supply can be intermittent in South Africa so do bring your power banks and embrace patience if you encounter an outage.
Flights & Arrivals
Most people arrive in either Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg (JNB) Airports on international flights. From there you will get a domestic flight into George airport. Your Sunday arrival date should be the date the project starts and your departure date, the Saturday that the project ends. If you need to arrive earlier or later let us know and we can suggest good backpacker style accommodation and hotels in the area.
Staff
During your wildlife veterinary assistance course, you will be working alongside various capture teams, wildlife professionals and wildlife veterinarians.
Hein Schoeman, the Project Coordinator has dedicated the last 18 years of his career to the wildlife industry. He has countless of captures under his belt and has worked with and treated most African wildlife species. His personal experience and ability to teach and share his knowledge makes him a great asset to the course.
Josephine Skaarup is a highly passionate Danish qualified veterinarian, a January 2022 course alumni, who later began running the course together with Hein. She shares her knowledge and skills openly and together with Hein she mentors and assists to ensure that every student gets the maximum practical exposure.
Safety
At African Impact, our long-term success depends on working to ensure the safety of our volunteers, interns, staff and local communities. With this in mind, we are continually committed to providing high-quality internship opportunities in Africa. We follow the philosophy that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental and top responsibility of ours. From the moment you arrive in South Africa to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out your internship.
Project Gallery
Project FAQs
What does a typical day look like?
No day is the same! Often, we will only know about capture operations and procedures a few days in advance and sometimes we will get a call and must leave in 5 minutes, so it’s fast paced and exciting. We try not to give the students too much information and want to keep it a surprise. Throughout the week we weave in lectures around the practical exercises and game drives.
Will I see wild animals up close?
Yes, both through hands-on experience when carrying out capture operations and treating animals but we also do game drives on local Reserves where you will encounter the majority of South African wildlife!
Can you help with planning weekend activities?
Yes! Usually students enjoy exploring the town of Mossel Bay or towns along the Garden Route. There are several exciting activities that we recommend and we can help facilitate the reservations for Shark Cage diving, diving with Seals, Horseback Riding Safari and more! Upon arrival, the team will talk you through all the options and help you plan.
Do I need any experience or qualifications to participate in this project?
Yes, this program is designed for people either already qualified as vets, someone that is in the process of becoming a vet (preferably minimum third-year student), or veterinary nurses who are looking to gain hands-on experience in all facets of wildlife capture and veterinary procedures. However, with the right experience, other volunteers may be considered.
Our favourite weekend activities along the Garden Route, South Africa
Weekends are usually your time off to explore the surrounding areas and we are more than happy to assist with bookings and inquiries of activities at your own expense or you can relax at the farmhouse. Usually groups enjoy doing activities and weekend excursions together.
Your Enquiry Starts Here
Exclusions
Minimum Age
Our minimum age for this project is 18 years of age. Participants need to be students in veterinary, veterinary nursing or technician.
INCLUSIONS
- Cottage style accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Sun)
- Laundry service
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All project transport, equipment and resources
- Support from experienced local and international staff
- Full orientation for responsible project contribution
PROJECT FEE INCLUDES
- Cottage style accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Sun)
- Laundry service
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All project transport, equipment and resources
- Support from experienced local and international staff
- Full orientation for responsible project contribution
PROJECT FEE EXCLUDES
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
Veterinary Education is a requirement. Participants need to be students in veterinary, veterinary nursing or technician. Participants are required to take an online course before arriving at the project.
Our minimum age for this project is 18 years of age.
Participants are required to have a moderate fitness level.
DO YOU NEED SUPPORT?
Our experienced African Impact team is here to support you.
Project Enquiry
After completing the below project enquiry form, one of our Destination Specialists will get in touch to discuss your volunteer experience and any questions you may have. When you are ready to book, we can send you a booking form or you can book directly from this page too.
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Project Booking
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