ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION 

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be met by our team and transferred to a spectacular Big 5 game reserve, where you will spend the next three days. After settling into your student lodge, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush and home to giraffes, rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and a variety of antelope, you will have time to relax and take in your new surroundings. Later, you will attend an orientation session, where you will be introduced to the programme and receive an overview of the unforgettable experiences that await you over the coming days.

BIG 5 GAME RESERVE CONSERVATION 

Spend 3 unforgettable days immersed in the heart of a private Big 5 game reserve, where you will gain experience in wildlife conservation, reserve management, and ecological monitoring. Working alongside experienced conservation professionals, you will develop practical field skills while contributing to real conservation initiatives. Activities include:
Camera Trap Surveys: Assist with the placement and monitoring of camera traps used to identify wildlife, study animal movements, and monitor population trends across the reserve.
Wildlife Tracking & Spoor Identification: Learn to identify and interpret animal tracks, feeding signs, dung middens, and other field evidence to better understand the behaviour, movement, and ecology of Africa’s iconic large mammals.

Telemetry Training: Learn how radio telemetry is used to locate and monitor wildlife in their natural habitat, gaining valuable insight into animal movements, home ranges, and conservation research techniques.
Game Drives & Night Drive: Explore the reserve on guided game drives in search of Africa’s iconic wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, hyenas, and many other species. Experience the bush from a different perspective during an exciting night drive, when many nocturnal animals become active.
Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) Experience: Meet the dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit and learn about the vital role they play in protecting endangered wildlife. Discover the daily challenges they face, the strategies they employ to combat poaching, and the commitment required to safeguard South Africa’s natural heritage.

Bird Ringing & Identification – Take part in bird monitoring, species identification, and ecological data collection, contributing to ongoing conservation research and wildlife monitoring.
Disease & Reserve Health Management – Gain an understanding of wildlife diseases, the risks they pose to individual animals and the wider ecosystem, and how reserve management monitors and responds to these health challenges.
Potential Conservation Intervention (Not Guaranteed) – If the opportunity arises, you may have the chance to observe or assist with conservation activities such as predator collaring, rhino dehorning, wildlife translocations, or veterinary medical interventions. Please note that these activities depend entirely on operational priorities and cannot be guaranteed.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK 

DAY 5: Today you will travel to a comfortable guesthouse just outside Kruger National Park, where you’ll spend the night in preparation for an early morning entry into the park the following day.
DAY 6: Enjoy an unforgettable journey through the world-famous Kruger National Park, taking in the incredible wildlife and landscapes as you travel towards Hoedspruit. Experience excellent opportunities to spot Africa’s iconic animals in their natural habitat. Later, you’ll meet with a State Veterinarian to gain insight into wildlife disease surveillance, control, and management strategies used to protect one of Africa’s largest and most important ecosystems.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE 

Today you will visit a leading wildlife rehabilitation and endangered species breeding centre, where you’ll gain valuable insight into the challenges and successes of wildlife conservation. During your visit, you will learn about:
The vital role wildlife rehabilitation plays in the rescue, treatment, and release of injured and orphaned animals.
Conservation breeding programmes designed to protect and increase populations of endangered species.
The complex process of reintroducing rehabilitated wildlife back into their natural habitats and the challenges involved in ensuring their long-term survival.

AVIAN & SMALL MAMMAL COURSE

Take part in a 2-day certified course led by an experienced wildlife veterinarian, designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the care and treatment of birds and small mammals. You will learn about: Husbandry and daily care of avian and small mammal species. / Safe handling and restraint techniques. / Biosecurity and hygiene protocols. / Preventative medicine and health management. / Common diseases, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options. / Wildlife first aid, anaesthesia, and basic surgical principles and techniques. Certificate Awarded: Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate recognising your participation and newly acquired skills.

WILDLIFE VET FIELDWORK

Spend 4 exciting days alongside experienced wildlife veterinarians and game capture specialists, gaining first-hand insight into the realities of wildlife veterinary medicine in the field. During these fieldwork days, you may have the opportunity to observe or assist with: Wildlife immobilisation (darting) and monitoring, Veterinary examinations and medical treatments, Game capture and wildlife translocations, Surgical and emergency veterinary procedures, where appropriate, Conservation interventions and ongoing wildlife health management. Please Note: Wildlife veterinary work is unpredictable, and all activities are determined by the needs of the animals, reserve management priorities, and scheduled veterinary cases. As a result, the exact procedures and experiences will vary throughout the programme.

COMMUNITY VET CLINIC

Spend the morning assisting at a Community Veterinary Clinic that provides essential veterinary care to animals in underprivileged rural communities. During your visit, you will gain insight into the importance of community veterinary medicine while helping to deliver primary healthcare to domestic animals. You’ll also support educational initiatives that promote responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and basic livestock health management among local pet owners and farmers. The afternoon is yours to relax and recharge. Enjoy some free time at the lodge—take a swim, have an afternoon nap, or simply unwind and reflect on the incredible experiences of the week before preparing for the adventures ahead.

ADVANCED VETERINARY REPTILE COURSE

Take part in a full-day certified course focused on reptile medicine, led by an experienced wildlife veterinarian. This comprehensive course combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, providing valuable insight into the care and treatment of reptiles. During the course, you will learn about: Reptile husbandry and safe handling techniques; health assessments and routine clinical examinations; common reptile diseases, diagnosis, and treatment; anaesthesia and veterinary first aid; emergency care and response for reptile patients. You will also gain practical, hands-on experience, including the opportunity to participate in a reptile necropsy (If available) to better understand reptile anatomy, pathology, and disease processes. Certificate Awarded: Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate recognising your participation and newly acquired skills.

K9 CONSERVATION, DART PRACTICAL, & HELICOPTER FLIP

Spend the morning with a specialised K9 anti-poaching unit, learning how conservation dogs assist with wildlife protection, tracking, and anti-poaching operations. In the afternoon, take part in a dart gun lecture and practical covering dart equipment, tranquiliser preparation, wildlife immobilisation, and target practice. Weather and operational conditions permitting, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience darting from a helicopter, providing a unique insight into wildlife capture operations – a definite highlight of the programme. Please Note: The helicopter experience is subject to weather conditions, operational requirements, and aircraft availability and therefore cannot be guaranteed.

WILDLIFE VET FIELDWORK (As mentioned above)

Continue your wildlife veterinary fieldwork alongside experienced wildlife veterinarians and game capture specialists. Each day presents new opportunities to observe or assist with wildlife immobilisation, veterinary treatments, game capture, translocations, conservation interventions, and other field procedures, depending on the needs of the animals and scheduled veterinary cases. As with previous fieldwork days, activities are determined by operational priorities, making every experience unique and providing valuable insight into the dynamic world of wildlife veterinary medicine.

ROAD TRIP!

Today you’ll begin the journey back to Johannesburg, travelling through some of South Africa’s beautiful and diverse landscapes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic drive while reflecting on the incredible experiences, knowledge, and memories you’ve gained throughout the programme. 

WILDLIFE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

On your final day, you will spend the morning accompanying a veterinarian at a dedicated wildlife veterinary hospital. This non-profit organisation specialises in the treatment, rehabilitation, and release of small to medium-sized wild animals, providing a second chance to injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife. Learn about the important role veterinary medicine and rehabilitation play in wildlife conservation, with the ultimate goal of returning animals to their natural environment.

DEPARTURE

As your incredible wildlife veterinary adventure comes to an end, it is time to say goodbye. After an unforgettable 19 days of learning, conservation, and practical experience, we will take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your onward journey home. We hope you leave with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, valuable knowledge, and practical skills that will benefit you throughout your studies and future career. Thank you for being part of the Live4Now experience, we wish you every success and hope to welcome you back again in the future!