Itinerary - year-round placement
This year-round placement (2 weeks or more, for a maximum 4 students at a time) is ideal for those looking to gain broad, real-world experience of sanctuary-based vet work. It is important to note that we are a wildlife sanctuary, not solely a vet clinic, which means that clinical veterinary work is unlikely to take place every day. On the days when we don't have procedures, you will participate in animal care, orphan care, integrations, observations, and enrichment activities.
The veterinary component runs in the mornings Tuesday to Friday (in addition to any emergencies that might arise). During these times a maximum of 4 participants will work under a veterinarian on a mix of activities including diagnostics, preventative health checks under sedation, parasite management and other treatment plans. The specific work will depend on the different animals we have in care at that time. In the afternoons externs learn vital skills in the rehabilitation and care of wildlife. This is important for wildlife vets to ensure that they can identify baseline health parameters for a range of species, identify behavioural change and pick up on sick and injured animals quickly. Tasks undertaken in the afternoons include basic husbandry, enrichment and integrations. Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Courses
01-07 June / 03-16 August 2025 Week 1 Under the instruction of the veterinary team, you’ll be taught through both lectures and wet labs. You’ll have a chance to learn about parasitology, haematology, primate infectious and non-infectious diseases, emergency management, rehabilitation, pharmacology, medication, suture patterns in wildlife, remote capture systems, and key conservation issues. You’ll assist with our annual health monitoring programme for primates, which includes physical exams, patient monitoring, and sample collection and analysis.
Members of the June group have the option to add a second week or more on the Veterinary Experience program detailed above. Week 2 (August only) Alongside veterinarians from the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA) you’ll attend field clinics, a dynamic and hands-on opportunity for you to gain practical experience in companion animal surgery and anaesthesia. You will actively participate in the anaesthesia and surgical procedures, under the close supervision of our experienced veterinarians and nursing team. This hands-on experience will allow you to learn proper surgical techniques, through observation, assisting, and performing the surgeries yourself as you gain confidence and proficiency as well as learning how to administer and monitor anaesthesia in a field setting. In addition to spaying and neuter surgeries, our field clinics are a great opportunity to provide primary care to sick animals presented. Cases are varied and you may have the opportunity to encounter a variety of cases, such as transmissible venereal tumours, babesiosis, and distemper to name a few.
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The Wildlife Sanctuary
This award-winning wildlife rescue centre and the country’s leading conservation charity is accredited by some of the world’s leading bodies for overseeing ethical wildlife sanctuaries. This is the only NGO sanctioned by the Government of Malawi to conduct wildlife rescues nationwide, meaning we’re Malawi’s first response for wild animals that are injured, orphaned, or rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. We do everything possible to give the animals that come into our care a fighting chance of being returned to the wild - where they belong. This means that we operate a hands-off policy with regards to our rehabilitation work, which means no direct contact with animals unless it’s required for veterinary or rehabilitation purposes.
The private wildlife sanctuary is also your home in Lilongwe, and is situated within a larger nature reserve which is open to the public. The nature reserve itself is home to wild animals such as antelopes, crocodiles, small carnivores and hyenas and over 100 bird species. There are 5km of beautiful walking trails running through the forest and along the Lingadzi River, an elevated forest boardwalk, bird hide, wildlife sculptures and an on-site café which is a perfect space for a quiet moment of reading or studying. We also put on events like forest yoga and meditation, guided bird walks, etc. The centre is just 10 minutes to town with its many restaurants, shops and markets if you feel like a change of scene. 
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