Start your veterinary career somewhere amazing
Unforgettable moments every day, alongside an experienced wildlife vetIn brief
Imagine arriving on the first day of your university veterinary degree having already helped to treat a wounded zebra in the field. Or having been part of a team that darted and collared a wild buffalo. Or having assisted with surgery on a sedated elephant.
These are the kind of unforgettable moments you’ll have every day as a volunteer on our Wildlife Veterinary Experience.
Shadowing an experienced wildlife vet, you’ll be learning new a huge amount of skills. All while building your confidence to work hands-on with some of the most powerful and beautiful animals on Earth.
Shadow an expert vet
As a volunteer vet, you’ll shadow a real wildlife veterinary practitioner on their day-to-day work.
You might find yourself heading into the field to treat injured antelope or carry out routine disease prevention on a rhino population. Equally, you may find your time in veterinary clinics, providing emergency treatment to a variety animals that have been injured or taken sick.
You’ll be learning on the job. So we take great care to pair you with an individual or team of vets that are most likely to give you the kind of experiences, challenges and skills that appeal to you. With group sizes between one and eight volunteers at a time, you can be sure you’ll get fully involved with every activity and procedure.
Wildlife vets in South Africa
Treating injured and sick animals is just the beginning for wildlife vets in South Africa. They’re also fully involved with the conservation and management of wildlife populations.
That’s because most of South Africa’s wildlife is privately owned by game reserves who rely on vets to make sure their animals breed healthily and enjoy a high standard.
Your role
There are usually between 8 and 23 volunteers at any one time. As one of them, you’ll join a hugely experienced team of conservationists living and working at one of the largest rhino sanctuaries in the world.
From bottle-feeding rhino calves orphaned by the poacher’s snare to treating injured animals or exercising long-term residents, you’ll make a lasting difference. All while challenging yourself to work up close and personal with some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species.
I highly recommend the Shimongwe Veterinary Experience to anyone considering applying. You will not only gain useful veterinary knowledge and skills, you will also create amazing and unique memories in an astonishingly beautiful country.