"One of the most incredible adventures I've ever been on. It's a must do for those passionate about conservation, veterinary or an overall passion for wildlife." Max, June/July 2023

"Absolutely incredible! My trip was everything I hoped for and more" Amber, June 2024

One of Africa’s finest private game reserves, Shamwari is home to the coveted Big 5 and a wide range of other iconic African species.  What better location to learn veterinary related wildlife, reserve and conservation management during this 2 week specialist program, working alongside world renowned African wildlife veterinarian, Dr Johan Joubert and his award winning wildlife conservation and veterinary team.

3 groups are offered around June each year, offering participants a combination of veterinary and conservation activities, with a maximum of 10 each time for a more focussed experience.  Suitable for vets, vet nurses, vet techs, pre-vet and students studying vet science, vet nursing and other related disciplines such as animal sciences and animal management.

The specialist support team offers participants a balanced learning and upskilling experience, with a keen focus on hands-on participation through practical tasks as well as through observation.  Lectures and interactive talks are presented and hosted by members of the Veterinary, Conservation and Anti-Poaching teams.

Combine your 2 weeks veterinary program with a week or more of general wildlife volunteering on the reserve, either before or afterwards.

Snapshot

  • 2025 Dates: 19 May - 02 Jun*, 02-16 Jun*, 22 Jun – 05 Jul
  • 2026 Dates (provisional): 18 May - 01 Jun*, 01-15 Jun*, 22 Jun – 05 Jul
  • ** need to be back for work/Uni on the Monday?  Easy, the final weekend is free time so you can fly home on Saturday without missing any of the program activities **
  • Pricing:
    • 2025 AU $6,689 / £3,535 / €4,100 / US $4,445
    • 2026 Rates TBC, expect max 10% increase
    • Botswana & Vic Falls Camping Safari from AU $1,969 / £1,025 / €1,195 / US $1,295
  • Minimum Age : 18
  • What’s included: Return airport transfers, accommodation, all meals and activities
  • Accommodation: Basic twin / triple-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms
  • Food:  Three catered meals per day are provided
Practical Experience
  • Wildlife drives on reserve
  • Assistance with immobilisations
  • Health-checks and translocations
  • Visits to Shamwari Rehab Centre and Born Free Sanctuary
  • Basic veterinary care and treatment of community animals
  • Mass capture and translocation of antelope
  • Target shooting with dart gun – both on foot and from helicopter
  • Necropsies

​Lectures & group discussions
  • Role of the veterinarian on game reserves
  • Wildlife management, monitoring and ecology
  • Species identification
  • Game capture techniques (mass capture, passive capture, chemical immobilisation)
  • Game translocation
  • Immobilising drugs, darting and translocation equipment
  • Husbandry of captured animals
  • Important infectious diseases of wildlife
  • Wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation
  • Community work at disadvantaged communities
  • Poaching and veterinary implications of survivors of poaching incidents