Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Vets-In-The-Wild Expeditions

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Detailed Trip Description

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. Learn about the crucial balance of people and wildlife in conservation today. Gain hands-on experience by taking part in game capture operations. Earn university credits for these programs. EcoLife Expeditions is an extension program of the Centre for Wildlife Management, and has been conducting short-term field study programs for international students since 1999. Two study programs are currently presented, the Vets-in-the-Wild program and the Wildlife Management program. The expeditions are in the form of a camping safari, and the duration is around 3 weeks. Students interact with rangers, veterinarians and researchers working in the field, giving them an insight into life, successes and problems associated with conservation in Africa today. Participants also meet and learn from pioneers in game capture and those actively involved in the field of wildlife veterinary science on a day-to-day basis. The program includes a Capture and Care course where students participate in actual game capture operations. Students also observe the role that veterinarians play at a rehabilitation centre, a reptile park and a rare-species breeding ranch. This program is open to veterinary and pre-veterinary students, currently enrolled at a recognized tertiary educational institution, as well as qualified professionals and also to interested persons. Qualifying students could enroll for the NLB 311 Ecosystems Management course at the University of Pretoria, and receive 4 credits on completion. The Course includes: Wildlife Veterinary Science, Wildlife Diseases and Medicine, Capture and Care of Wild Animals, Breeding of Rare Species, Wildlife Rehabilitation, and Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservations.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Johannesburg

 
Arrival.
Airport Transfer

Students arrive and are received at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, by our staff. Transfer to a guesthouse, close to the University of Pretoria.

Relaxation

Spend the afternoon relaxing.

Food and Dining

Evening welcoming dinner.

Hotel

Accommodation: Guest house


Day 2 - Johannesburg

 
Orientation, Pretoria, Rhino and Lion Park.
Sightseeing

We start our expedition by attending a morning workshop at the Centre 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.

Adventure

After lunch we visit Lion Park to also experience the behind the scenes management and health care of this interesting park close to the Johannesburg metropolis.

Hotel

Accommodation: Guest house


Day 3 - Johannesburg

 
Community Veterinary Services.
Voluntourism

After breakfast we drive to Soweto, the sprawling black city adjacent 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.

Hotel

Accommodation: Guest house.


Day 4 - 7 - South Africa

 
Wilderness Training at Imbambala.
Safari

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.

Camping

Accommodation: Tented camp.


Day 8 - South Africa

 
Blyde Canyon Reserve: Swadini Resort.
Private Car Service

We depart from the Bushveld, travelling east over the rolling hills of the Highveld.

Camping

Soon we descend to the Lowveld to set up camp at the foot of the northern Drakensberg (Mountains of the Dragon). The pristine Swadini Resort’s facilities include public telephones, a shop, heated and ambient swimming pools, restaurants and a laundry.


Day 9 - South Africa

 
Khamai Reptile Centre and Maholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Historical and Educational Tours

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.

Camping

Accommodation: Camping.


Day 10 - South Africa

 
At Leisure.
Adventure

We enjoy a day at leisure to explore the reserve around the spectacular Blydepoort Reservoir, a boat cruise and for activities of choice such as horse riding, swimming and hiking.

Camping

Accommodation: Camping (Swadini).


Day 11 - 15 - South Africa

 
Hands-on Game Capture Course.
Adventure

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.

Camping

Accommodation: Camping (Swadini).


Day 16 - 19 - South Africa

 
Kruger National Park.
Private Car Service

We depart after an early breakfast en route to the Kruger National Park.

Safari

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 the researchers and wildlife managers and also learn about controversial issues such as the management of elephant populations and of the new trans-frontier parks. We meet with the local researchers and veterinarians and learn about disease control and other management issues in the Park. We also visit the wildlife quarantine and relocation bomas. 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, go on a nature walk in the bush with experienced Park rangers to guide us and enjoy a game drive at night. Park facilities include public telephones, a bank, a shop, restaurants and a laundry.

Camping

Accommodation: Camping.


Day 20 - Pretoria

 
Back to Pretoria and Birds of Prey Centre.
Sightseeing

It is with great reluctance that we leave the Lowveld. We ascend the picturesque Long Tom Pass to the pretty towns of Sabie and Lydenburg and get the opportunity to enjoy real South African pancakes in the quaint Highveld town of Dullstroom. We visit the interesting Birds of Prey Centre outside Dullstroom before returning to our guest house in Pretoria.

Hotel

Accommodation: Guest house.


Day 21 - Pretoria

 
Veterinary School and De Wildt.
Sightseeing

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 Cheetah and Wild Dog Breeding Centre where these two magnificent animals were saved from the brink of extinction. We return to our guest house where we are tested on what we have learned on our whole expedition.

Food and Dining

The evening is devoted to the graduation ceremony and the farewell dinner.

Hotel

Accommodation: Guest house.


Day 22 - Johannesburg

 
Departure.
Shopping

After having said our farewells to our friends of the guest house we drive to a spot where we can shop (and haggle!) for some interesting souvenirs.

Airport Transfer

Then we depart for OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg to be in time for our flights home.


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