Join us for the experience of a lifetime, a field study program in South Africa for students in veterinary fields and wildlife conservation

• Experience the world of wildlife conservation in Southern Africa, hands-on.
• Meet and interact with conservationists and wildlife veterinarians in the field.
• Gain hands-on experience by taking part in game capture operations.
  Earn university credits for these programs.
  

Course Content:
The Course includes:

• Wildlife Veterinary Science
• Wildlife Diseases and Medicine
• Capture and Care of wild animals
• Breeding of Rare Species
• Wildlife Rehabilitation
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservations
  

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Students arrive and are received at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, by EcoLife Staff Members. Transfer to a guesthouse, close to the University of Pretoria, and spend the afternoon relaxing before the evening welcoming dinner.
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 2: Orientation, Pretoria and Lion Park
We start our expedition by attending a morning workshop at the Center for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria. We meet with staff members who have been involved in the pioneering of wildlife management in Southern Africa, and learn about the latest developments in wilderness management. After lunch we visit a lion Park to also experience the behind the scenes management and health care of this interesting park close to the Johannesburg metropolis
Accommodation: Guest house

Day 3 Community Veterinary Services
After breakfast we drive to Johannesburg, where we join the team of CLAW, (Community Led Animal Welfare), a world renowned group of dedicated animal lovers and veterinarians who volunteer their professional time to poor black African townships to care for these people’s domestic animals. We spend the day in one of the townships assisting the CLAW team.
Accommodation: Guest house

Days 4 -7: Wilderness Training
After breakfast we drive east to a private camp in the Bushveld on the banks of the beautiful Loskop Reservoir. The wilderness reserve surrounding the reservoir is a pristine area in which our experienced field guide will introduce us to African bush skills like identifying indigenous plants and animals, tracking wildlife on foot, observing wildlife behaviour and learning how to survive in the bush. Weather permitting, we learn navigation by the stars of the Southern hemisphere and we will partake in some abseiling.
Accommodation: Tented camp

Day 8: Blyde Canyon Reserve
We depart from the Bushveld, travelling east over the rolling hills of the Highveld. En-route we stop in the town of Dullstroom for a visit to the interesting Birds of Prey Centre. After lunch we travel onwards, descending to the Lowveld to set up camp in a resort at the foot of the northern Drakensberg (Mountains of the Dragon). The resort’s facilities include public telephones, a shop, heated swimming pools, restaurants and a laundry.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 9: Reptile Centre and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
We attend a workshop presented on the handling and care of reptiles, including highly venomous snakes, and we also visit a world renowned wildlife rehabilitation centre. The care of a wide range of wildlife species will be experienced and demonstrated first hand.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 10: Private Bushveld Camp
We strike camp late morning and drive to a private game farm just outside of the town of Hoedspruit. Here we set up camp and settle in for the next 6 nights.
Accommodation: Camping

Days 11 - 15: Hands-on Game Capture Course
The successful capture, handling and translocation of wildlife all form important parts of the wildlife veterinarian’s program. The next five days are dedicated to observation and learning about and participating in actual game capture operations under the guidance of a world renowned specialist. Weather permitting we will also have the opportunity to mock dart a moving target from a helicopter in flight.
Accommodation: Camping

Days 16 - 19: Kruger National Park
We depart after an early breakfast en route to the Kruger National Park. The biodiversity of this jewel of wilderness areas is spectacular, and the ideal area for observing and studying most of the wildlife species Southern Africa has to offer. We meet specialists and wildlife managers to learn about poaching and disease management in the Park. The greatest attraction of this magnificent Park is the opportunity to experience African game viewing at its best: we will drive along the Park’s pristine rivers and grasslands, go on a sunset game drive with experienced Park rangers to observe the mysteries of the African bush at sunset. Park facilities include public telephones, a bank, a shop, restaurants and a laundry.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 20: Back to Pretoria
We depart from the Lowveld back to Pretoria. The day is set aside to travel back at a leisurely pace.
Accommodation: Guest house

Day 21: Veterinary School and Cheetah Breeding Centre
After another early breakfast we drive to Onderstepoort, just north of Pretoria. As guests of the famous Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria we are hosted on an interesting tour of the facilities and the campus. After a packed lunch we visit a world renowned Cheetah and Wild Dog Breeding centre on the outskirts of Pretoria. We return to our guest house where we are tested on what we have learned on our whole expedition by writing our final exam. The evening is devoted to the graduation ceremony and the farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Guest house

Day 22: Departure
After breakfast we pack our belongings and depart for OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg to be in time for our flights home.



2009 Scheduled departure dates:
07 June - 28 June 2009 (Fully booked)
09 June - 30 June 2009
05 July - 26 July 2009 (Fully booked)
26 July - 16 August 2009

2009 Program fees:
NORMAL RATE: US$ 3,995 per student
OUR SPECIAL RATE: US$ 3,675 per student
SAVE US$ 320 per student!

 

2010 Scheduled departure dates:
06 June - 26 June 2010
04 July - 25 July 2010
18 July - 08 August 2010
25 July - 15 August 2010

2010 Program fees:
NORMAL RATE: US$ 4,285 per student
OUR SPECIAL RATE: US$ 3,950 per student
SAVE US$ 335 per student!

Includes:
• Accommodation for the duration of the program
• Transportation for the duration of the program
• Airport transfers as stated
• Lectures, course material and registration with the University of Pretoria (if applicable)
• Camping equipment
• Permits and entry fees
• All meals and group activities

Excludes:
• Air travel to and from South Africa
• Visa costs
• Optional activities
• Alcoholic beverages