Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa

My time with African Conservation Experience (ACE) has been an amazing three-week journey, spent alongside a very welcoming and highly skilled team who were always eager to share their knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and their beautiful country. Words are hard to find to describe such a unique experience. During my time at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, I learned so much about wildlife veterinary medicine in the field. I also discovered what conservation truly means and involves. Some of the most thrilling moments were spent deep in the bush, taking part in wildlife captures and interventions. I will never forget the adrenaline of tracking and managing different species, from sables and kudus to rhinos and agile impalas, often working in tandem with a helicopter to herd and dart them across challenging terrain safely. The adventure didn't stop in the field. The weekends offered an incredible escape into some of the most magnificent, timeless landscapes I have ever seen. Spending time amongst the breathtaking, mystical cliffs of the Leshiba Wilderness and exploring the vast, untamed expanses of the Kruger National Park were absolute highlights that left me in complete awe of South Africa's natural beauty. I came home with new perspectives, valuable skills, and beautiful memories to last a lifetime. I am so grateful to the Shimongwe team and ACE for this unforgettable adventure, one that has been deeply enriching on both a professional and personal level. I already miss it, and I truly hope I will be able to go back soon!

The personalised veterinary experience offered me loads of hands-on experience working with wildlife, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. Right from the start, I was straight into the action. Our first job was to help relocate six kudu antelopes from one farm to another. It was an early start, as we had to wake up at 3am to travel to the farm! When we arrived, we helped with drawing blood and administering vitamins before we assisted the vet in transporting them and releasing them into the new property. Over the next few days, I got to work with more antelope species, including waterbucks and my favourite, sable antelopes. At the end of my first week, I also got to help an injured rhino. First, I helped to draw some blood, and then we helped clean its wound. It was an awesome experience. I got to ride up in a helicopter with the vet, which was awesome. We also helped relocate not one but two prides of lions into larger spaces, which was incredible. Apart from riding in a helicopter, a highlight for me was working with six Buffalo, where I got to administer vitamins and tick spray. It’s too hard to choose the best moment, because every day was so amazing and different. I was actually initially supposed to travel with African Conservation Experience (ACE) in 2024. However, two weeks before I was due to leave home, I broke my ankle playing rugby. We were a bit worried about whether it would be possible to change my trip at such short notice, but the ACE team were really supportive and managed to transfer my trip to the following year. I’m so glad that it worked out. I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone who is going into the veterinary field and wants to build up their practical experience. I’ve done work experience in a clinic before, but I wanted a more hands-on experience, which is why I got in touch with ACE. I had such a great time working with the vets. The work could be stressful at times, as it’s fast-paced and you’re working with these amazing, big animals. But once the work was over, you just had this sense of gratitude wash over you. I’ve always known that I want to work with wildlife, and this experience definitely confirmed that for me.

I did most of this experience with my friend Madeline who I met on the project! We travelled separately for this experience and had never met each other before, but bonded quickly during our time on the Shimongwe Veterinary EMS placement when I spent three weeks on the project and Madeline joined for the final two weeks. On Madeline’s first day, we were taken to a reptile centre with 150 different species of venomous snakes. Wow. That was incredible. These snakes and lizards were from all over the world, and the staff there collect venom from them every week! This was purely observational for us because they do have some dangerous snake species there, so we were kept safe at all times. We learned about how there is an antivenom shortage in South Africa, which is what made this so interesting, because there is a real need for this work. Instead of working directly with the snakes, we drew blood from different lizards for DNA testing. We split into teams of two and ended up being much faster than we expected. We got to work with geckos, Sungazers and lots of other types of lizards. We called this ‘Lizard day’, and it was so cool to work with so many different species. The vet placement was amazing, and we ended up working on over 140 buffalo in one week! The project staff were constantly on the move to help us, as there was a lot of work to do. There was darting, loading the buffalo into trailers and moving them to different farms. Every time the vet darted them, we did injections of dewormer, medication, or vitamins. Some of them needed to be microchipped, some of them needed to be checked for pregnancy, some needed tuberculosis testing and brucellosis testing, so we drew blood for analysis too. We even found some pregnancies and could see them through the ultrasounds. My main hope before going was to see a lion, and during my time on the project, I got to work with one! I even had the rare opportunity to give a lion an injection, which was my favourite part of the whole experience! Madeline hadn’t worked on big animals very much before going on this experience, so she thought the darting, anaesthesia, and learning how to handle these big, dangerous animals was really worthwhile. During the weekend, we went to Leshiba Wilderness, which is a private game reserve that has lots of rhinos. We got to go for a hike through this incredible environment, and it was so fun. We had a good view of the valley, went on a night drive, and saw a bunch of rhinos. We really appreciated the project helping to organise this excursion for us. The farm day with one of the vets was really fun. We had more of a quiet day in terms of the workload on Friday, so the vet found some work for us to do on his farm involving working with different animals, then helping to move them to the stables. After a long day of work, the vet organised a braai (traditional South African barbecue) for us and we got to eat it in the bush, which was pretty cool. We never knew what we were going to get, but we loved everything we did. Madeline says that after this experience, she definitely wants to pursue a career in wildlife. This experience helped her understand which areas she’s less experienced and less knowledgeable in, so she knows what to work on if she moves forward with this career path. I felt this experience was really valuable, and I really enjoyed it. I definitely want to do more of it in the future! Madeline felt management of wildlife is pretty different than in the U.S. It was really eye-opening to learn about the farms that people have in South Africa and the conservation work that’s done. Before I organised my placement, I didn't know what to expect, but when I booked a call with ACE, we spoke a lot about how conservation and vet work is done in South Africa. It’s hard to understand until you see and experience it for yourself. When we went out to do the vet work, we were in huge areas that aren’t just enclosures with animals, so I really understood how the whole ecosystem functions once we saw it and got to work in it too. I am really happy that I have more knowledge on the reality of vet work now, because when I was looking on the internet at the different options, I just did not understand how vet teams and procedures worked. Now I know why the unique work we did was so important! It’s similar to back home in Canada, except more exciting as we swapped deer and moose for buffalo, impala and sable!

From the moment I landed, everything ran perfectly. I was met at the airport by the African Conservation Experience (ACE) staff, and they immediately made me feel welcome. Even the drive out to the project was fantastic. Our driver was hilarious and knowledgeable, telling stories about the country, which set the tone for the trip ahead! Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience itself was incredible. As a small animal vet, it was such a precious opportunity to work with large wildlife species, as we worked with some rare and beautiful animals. For example, one day we darted and treated a roan antelope (locals even told us they’d never handled one before!), another day we treated sable and nyala bulls and helped relocate them safely to other farms. On our final day, we darted a nyala, administered injections, and helped load him into a trailer for relocation. Watching how smoothly the team worked together was truly impressive. You felt part of something meaningful every single day, and I loved getting to know the dedicated people behind the conservation efforts! We also worked with an incredible number of buffalo. By the end, I was joking that I’d become a buffalo specialist! We helped the vets take blood samples for tuberculosis testing on the buffalo and also gave vitamin and anti-parasitic treatments, and assisted with relocations. It was physical, sometimes chaotic work, but in the best possible way. Every day was different. I can’t say there was one special day, I loved all of it! One day drawing blood, another treating, another relocating, never boring, never repetitive. The sunsets after long field days were something else, too. By the end, I lost count of how many times we just stopped to take it all in! In the clinic, the team was also brilliant. For students, it’s an incredible learning environment where they deal with everything: coughing, diarrhoea, vomiting, wounds, you name it. The vets, nurses, and technicians were all so kind and open. They shared everything: dosages, protocols, and their reasoning behind treatments. Even though I already work as a vet, I loved hearing their different approaches and seeing how they worked with wildlife species. They were also just genuinely fun people to be around, warm, professional, and easy-going. The accommodation was great too. It was clean and comfortable, with our own kitchen, bathroom, and even a terrace to relax on. There was a pool to cool off in after long days, and our host was super friendly! On weekends, we went exploring. Our first trip was to the famous Kruger National Park, my first time there! We saw so many elephants (they were everywhere), giraffes, birds, and even a lioness. Then another weekend, we visited Leshiba Wilderness, which was one of the most magical places I’ve ever seen. We went hiking during the day, and in the evenings, we could sit by the pool with a view over the bush, watching rhinos, giraffes, and zebras walking past. It honestly felt surreal! The people I met made the trip even more special. There were volunteers from the UK, the US, and a few other Czechs, too, which was such a nice surprise! One of the Czech girls and I are still in touch. We text and call all the time. Everyone at the project was like a supportive, funny family, and I would work with them again in a heartbeat! When I had to leave, I cried. That’s how much I loved the people there! I came home, went straight back to small animal practice, but a part of me stayed in Africa. I still think about it every day: the people, the animals, the sunsets, the feeling of purpose. I honestly think my friends are tired of me always talking about it! If anyone’s thinking about going, just do it. It was organised perfectly, the team was professional and kind, and the experience itself was everything I hoped for and more. I am already in talks with ACE to plan my trip out with them again next year, and I absolutely can’t wait!

Before I set off on my five-week veterinary adventure with African Conservation Experience (ACE), I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had read about the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience and knew it would be hands-on, but I couldn’t have imagined just how rewarding and eye-opening it would turn out to be. From the moment I landed in Johannesburg, I felt completely taken care of. An ACE representative was waiting to welcome me at the airport, and after a good meal and introductions, we set off on the five-hour drive north to Louis Trichardt. The journey flew by, our driver shared fascinating stories about South Africa’s history, culture, and wildlife along the way, giving us a glimpse into the country we were about to discover! When we arrived at the project, we were greeted warmly by the team before settling into our guesthouse. The accommodation was wonderful, surrounded by a peaceful garden and a swimming pool, and often visited by a few friendly dogs who quickly became part of our daily life. Our very first day set the tone for the entire experience. We were up at three in the morning to help with the tranquilisation and transport of a kudu. Watching these animals up close was something I’ll never forget. Over the next few weeks, we worked with a wide range of wildlife, including sable, tsessebe, blesbok, waterbuck, buffalo, and even lions. Being part of wildlife veterinary procedures like health checks, immobilisations, and administering medicines gave us a real sense of purpose and excitement each day. Working with rescued lions at the rehabilitation sanctuary was an unforgettable highlight. To be so close to these powerful creatures and assist in their care was both humbling and exhilarating! Alongside wildlife work, we also gained valuable experience with domesticated animals such as cattle, goats, and horses. It was a reminder of how veterinary medicine plays a crucial role not just in conservation, but in supporting local communities as well! The vets at the project were exceptional mentors. They were patient, knowledgeable, and passionate about teaching. Every day with them was an opportunity to learn something new, whether in the field or at the clinic. On weekends, we explored more of South Africa’s natural beauty. Visiting the infamous nearby Kruger National Park and the breathtaking Leshiba Wilderness Reserve gave us time to reflect on the importance of what we were learning. Horse riding and hiking on our time off also added even more adventure to an already incredible experience! Looking back, what made this journey so meaningful was how it offered a complete picture of conservation in practice! I came to understand that wildlife management, population control, and habitat balance are all essential parts of protecting nature, each connected and equally important. My time with ACE was truly unforgettable. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible, from the ACE staff who made everything run smoothly to the dedicated veterinarians who shared their knowledge so generously! This experience opened my eyes to the realities of conservation and veterinary work in Africa, and it strengthened my passion for wildlife medicine even more. See you next time!

I loved the unpredictability of this project. The day could start at 8 am (which was the usual) or it could be in the middle of the night, at 3 am, depending on what the vet is doing. Obviously you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night if you don’t want to, but for me, that was all part of the experience. I didn’t want to miss out on anything. You can ask the vet as many questions as you like which means you can gain as much knowledge as possible. I even asked the receptionists and nurses in the clinic questions to further my knowledge as much as I could. I found just being around the practice, interacting with the patients and seeing small animal and wildlife procedures eye-opening. The highlight for me in this project was being involved in resolving some human-wildlife conflict between a leopard, her three cubs and a local community. It was so interesting to see how the vet initially responded to the situation, by contacting the village representative. He was trying to gain an understanding of the situation before putting a plan into action. There were talks of euthanasia for the animals, and this would have been the easy alternative but it was admirable to see that the vet pushed for the best approach, which turned out to be rehoming the leopard and her cubs. It was amazing to be involved in this process. It was also fascinating to witness first hand some of the struggles that conservationists and vets face in South Africa, and how they worked through the situation to ultimately gain the best for the animals and their welfare. It’s not all hard work though - the social side of the projects is amazing too! From going to the pub to have a few pints in the evening, to having a day trip out in the Kruger National Park and even swimming under a waterfall! Those are just some of the sorts of excursions that I did which were absolutely fantastic. Besides the excursions being cool, the other volunteers at the projects with me were amazing. ACE throws you into a room of like-minded individuals who are also passionate about conservation and wildlife. So regardless of whether you are going on a bush walk or going to the pub, you are going to have such a fantastic time socialising with your fellow volunteers.

My favourite thing about the veterinary experience was getting involved in the fieldwork. We got to take part in so many different procedures like drawing blood from a buffalo to test it for notifiable diseases, and we monitored the vital signs of a rhino whilst its microchip was checked and its horn was trimmed. It was just amazing to be out there experiencing things you usually only see on TV! Also, the vet experience is fully tailored to your level of confidence and ability. If you want to get involved in drawing blood or helping hold a sedated animal and the vet deems it safe, you can get a really hands-on experience. During my trip I was also fortunate enough to get to visit the Kruger National Park. It was amazing. Even the drive there was beautiful and I can’t even explain how brilliant the Kruger is. Everything I experienced here, from the amazing guide who took us, to seeing the animals in their natural habitats, is something I’ll never forget! Planning this trip through ACE was great, too. I’m the type of person who likes to know what I’m doing, when I’m doing it, how I’m getting there, and I loved that as soon as I had booked my trip the ACE team sent over my itinerary. Then you get so much more information closer to your trip too. It's super useful and I think ACE would be great for younger travellers too, whose parents want to know what they are doing and where they are going. All of the ACE staff are so knowledgeable! From the drivers in South Africa that will answer any questions you have about the scenery, culture, town and wildlife, to the people on the end of the phone who will help you in any way they can! I know I had a few concerns before booking my trip as there is so much misinformation online and you don’t want to be giving your money to unethical projects, but as soon as I spoke with the ACE staff they eased my concerns. ACE also have a really great Instagram that I would recommend you look at as you can see that there are real people at these projects. You can see all of the amazing things that they have done and it just gives you that extra sense of security. I also know that it can be scary as you are investing a lot into this, financially, but you can really see where your money is going. On top of that, the project staff are so obviously grateful to you for coming and helping out. They even go the extra mile for you. My whole experience has just been brilliant.

During my time with African Conservation Experience (ACE), I volunteered at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience for two weeks. Here I was able to observe and be involved with the care of a wide variety of different animals. I worked with smaller domesticated animals such as goats, dogs and cats, as well as some of the more iconic African species such as rhinos, wild dogs and buffalo. ACE tailor your trip to your level of experience and confidence which is amazing. I was able to help with the administration of medication and take samples which was a really great experience! My most memorable experience was probably working with a white rhino. I was taken aback by how big they are! We had to help this individual as they had wounds all over their body as they had been injured by a group of hyenas. We had to dart the rhino, clean the wounds, and administer antibiotics to prevent it from getting sick. It was great to be up close and personal with such a large, iconic animal. I also really enjoyed observing an arthroscopic surgery, a type of keyhole surgery, that was being carried out on a dog in the clinic. The vets had to operate to fix its broken leg. The procedure involved cutting off a small part of a bone in order to then reattach it in a way that would fix the injured leg. I’m really glad I was able to volunteer with ACE. I decided to volunteer at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience because I wanted more experience in a veterinary clinic and to work with different wildlife. I first found out about the project through my friend who had volunteered here. She recommended it to me, not just for the work, but also for the amazing people that she got to interact with. I think this experience has helped me with my future career! It has given me a real insight into veterinary work and the different things that the vets have to deal with. Before this trip, I was most interested in avian veterinary work and I wanted to specialise in birds, but this has really opened my eyes. It has given me a really good idea of the work that a wildlife vet does and what you can expect day-to-day. I am now super interested in following in their footsteps and becoming a wildlife vet. This experience has completely changed my life!

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, a program offered by African Conservation Experience (ACE). Over two weeks, I was involved in a huge amount of wildlife veterinary work, gaining hands-on experience with many different species. I worked closely with white rhinos, various antelope species (including an eland – Africa's largest antelope), kudu, nyala, Impala, and sable antelope. We also worked with buffalo numerous times. Aside from the wildlife work, I gained experience with a wide variety of livestock including sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. In the small animal practice, I assisted with dogs and cats. I would say about 95% of the time we were out in the field doing wildlife work. It was far more than I ever expected. Due to where I am at in my studies I was trusted with some extra responsibilities. I performed full reversals on several darted wildlife, including buffalo and antelope. I participated in the recovery and monitoring of rhinos and took blood samples from various species. I was also able to administer anti-parasite medications, inject necessary drugs, and provide vitamin supplementation. I feel incredibly proud that I was of genuine use and value. I felt like a member of the staff. A highlight was doing blood work on rhinos to support conservation-related reproduction projects. We took blood samples to measure testosterone levels in a bull and did a pregnancy check on a cow. It’s notoriously difficult to know how far a rhino cow is in her pregnancy without doing a sonar/ physical check. So, this was an amazing experience! I also administered numerous vaccinations to horses, livestock, and some dogs and cats in the clinic. I witnessed various surgical procedures, including assisting in a dog eyelid surgery and observing an abdominal exploratory surgery for a suspected bowel obstruction in a dog. One entirely new experience was assisting in the treatment of a dog bitten by a Mozambique spitting cobra. This exposure to a wide variety of clinical cases and procedures was invaluable. Throughout my time in South Africa, I observed the similarities and the significant differences in veterinary treatments compared to the USA. It was not a matter of one being better than the other, but rather a fascinating contrast. The clinic environment was also very different due to the community's needs and limited financial resources. Vets here focused on providing complete care within these constraints. I was able to see some innovative ways the vets would perform procedures to work within their client's needs. Witnessing the challenges they faced in sourcing materials and medications, made me appreciate the privileges we often take for granted in the USA. I encountered unique diseases and cases rarely seen in American clinics, such as snake envenomation and frequent cases of Canine parvovirus. This really opened my mind and will make me a much better veterinarian. I also saw several interesting things we don't see regularly, for example, large litters of puppies that have huge parasitic loads. I found the clinic work very exciting, and it's inspirational to see the staff help support the community and their animals. I absolutely loved the excursions I did during both weekends of my stay, it allowed me to see the surrounding area and experience the local culture. The first weekend took me to the Leshiba wilderness reserve, a very special and beautiful place with abundant wildlife. The accommodations were lovely with great views, and the staff who ran the lodge, made it feel like a second home. The experience was both rejuvenating and educational, featuring guided nature walks and insights into Venda tribal plant uses for medicinal purposes. We learned a lot about the wildlife, local birds, and insects. We also did an awesome night game drive where we got to watch the sunset over the mountains. All in all such a special experience. I could have stayed there for a whole week. The following weekend, I visited Kruger National Park for two days, which was incredible. This was accompanied by a project staff’s family member, who was wonderfully informative. They knew all the wildlife and made keen birdwatchers out of us all, which I never thought would happen! We saw a lot of wildlife I had not managed to while volunteering like; elephants, hippos, lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Night and sunrise game drives allowed us to see even more species! We loved it! All the excursions were super easy to go on, as the project staff organised absolutely everything for us. This experience was invaluable in preparation for a veterinary career. While I may not end up as a wildlife vet darting buffalo and rhinos, I now have a greater passion for wildlife. I also learnt about how wildlife veterinary works in South Africa, and its place in conservation. I had an absolutely fantastic time, and I wish I could have stayed even longer - I loved every second! This experience was also a form of cultural exchange. We got to meet a lot of different South Africans from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Everyone is incredibly welcoming, and I was immersed in the culture from the get-go. We went shopping in the local grocery stores and ate in local restaurants. Many people came over to talk to us, as they knew the local vets, and there was a real sense of community. The vets are really willing to have a dialogue with you about anything, so don't be afraid to ask questions. I would also say don't be afraid to get dirty! Wildlife work is messy, fast-paced, and exciting. Throw yourself into the experience, and take every opportunity as you will be supported every step of the way. Even if you get covered in antelope drool on the back of a truck don't panic, it will wash out. I was blown away by the experience. I found myself doing things that I never could have imagined. It often seemed like I was living my dream. Being immersed in the Limpopo region and seeing the people, the wildlife, and the beautiful scenery was just indescribable and incredibly impactful. The most amazing thing about the whole trip is that I felt that in some small way, I made a real difference in conservation.

I am currently on a pre-vet track in college, so I am in the process of applying for vet school for next year, and I wanted to have the chance to work with wildlife and large animals. This is very difficult to do in the US, and I knew an experience with African Conservation Experience (ACE) would be so useful in my application while providing me with a lot of personal development by showing where my interests in this field really lie. I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, and the vets there were truly inspiring. Shadowing their everyday work, I learned so much from them. One of the most valuable lessons I took away was how unpredictable the life of a wildlife vet can be. Some days were calm, while others had us trimming the horns of nine rhinos, which was so exciting. A definite highlight of this experience was participating in the relocation of two male lions. I got to witness how to dart and safely transport these enormous animals, and as someone who has never heard a lion's roar before, feeling the truck shake from their roars was incredible! As we were relocating them to the Kalahari region, we got to stay in the most beautiful game reserve - I can not even explain how special that day was! The lead vet was the perfect mentor, handling challenges in the field with a calm and methodical approach. For instance, when we were working with a wild dog she fought off the sedation resulting in us losing track of her. This could have been a very stressful situation, but the vet turned it into a valuable learning opportunity. He calmly dealt with the situation, and we found the wild dog again and successfully operated on her an hour later. As I am so early in my career, moments like these were the perfect learning opportunities, and are definitely something I will take forward into my own techniques. My time at Shimongwe was so fulfilling, and it gave me an authentic look into being a wildlife vet in South Africa. Not every day was super busy but then we didn't have a chance for a break on some other days! My highlights of this trip went from trimming nine rhino horns in a day, relocating lions, flying in a helicopter, to even working with the elusive wild dog. One especially unforgettable moment was when I had a sedated cheetah on my lap while we moved her. A benefit that I didn't even think of until I got there was living with the wonderful host family. As a vegetarian, I was initially concerned as I know meat is a staple in South African diets and I did not want to put anyone out. However, the family were incredibly accommodating and the food was perfect. The accommodations were exceptional, with our own room and en-suite, set on their huge farm. Their dogs were adorable and they even made sure we never got lost on our evening walks, leading us back to the house!

I am a vet student and I wanted to explore my passion for wildlife medicine further as a possible career path. I saw that ACE offered Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, which is tailored towards veterinary students and practising vets, and it really appealed to me. I would recommend this trip to non-veterinarians too, as it gives any volunteer a good experience and an insight into what real wildlife vet work is like. Your daily work is varied at the vet project, from caring for domestic animals to working with wildlife in the bush. I had a fantastic experience getting involved in the relocation efforts - this is when we moved species like kudus and waterbucks between reserves. The highlight for me was when we were called out to a nearby lodge to help a rhino with an injured tail. We got to take part in the process of tranquillising and treating him. Throughout my journey, the ACE staff were professional, efficient, and transparent; from the initial talks on the phone, all of my transfers, and the overall experience in South Africa. The ACE in-country team met me at the airport when I landed, and provided me with more information not only regarding the project I was visiting but also the bigger picture of how wildlife vets in South Africa help with conservation. It was amazing to learn more about the complex challenges faced in conservation, and that things aren’t simply right or wrong, but that there are a lot of grey areas when dealing with the conservation issues faced daily. ACE lifted the veil on these issues, and I felt like I was getting an unfiltered look allowing me to form my own opinions. I would definitely travel with ACE again, and I’d love to volunteer at a variety of projects that they work with in the future! I feel like I could return time and time again and never stop learning.

There were so many things that made the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience absolutely amazing. Not only did I see many different species, some of which I had never even heard of before, but I also learnt about and experienced South African culture, all while making amazing friends. Every single person that worked on the project was incredible. They made me feel so welcome as soon as I arrived and they were constantly there if I needed any help. They honestly took me in like family and I would love to go back again in the future. The vet that I worked with was brilliant. He included me in any work he was doing, explaining all the medicine used and why he was using them and how he did a diagnosis. He also gave me valuable tips for my future career! I had so many amazing experiences but if I had to choose one it would be when working on a nyala antelope that the vet had tranquilised. The vet had been teaching me about the drugs that are used and on this occasion he allowed, and trusted me, to do the necessary injections myself. The vet talked me through the process step by step and I was able to find a vein with my first attempt. The experience really boosted my self confidence and gave me an amazing insight into veterinary medicine. This project gave me a very wide insight into everything to do with veterinary medicine, especially on the species that I got to work with. This included nyala, wildebeest, and buffalo. I not only worked with and learnt how to care for individual animals from the vet but also all about the mass capture of animals, which is much more complex than I realised. It really opened my eyes to something I knew very little about. The experience I had has really helped prepare me for applying to a vet school and I am able to take this experience and the skills I have learnt back home to further my dream of becoming a wildlife vet! The accommodation I stayed in was absolutely amazing. Although we were in the middle of nowhere I felt safe and secure as my accommodation was amongst the staff’s accommodation. I never felt isolated or lonely. If I had spare time in the evening I could go and see anyone. There was reliable free Wifi access anywhere in the camp, which also had a beautiful swimming pool and even a gym that I could use when time allowed. The food was also amazing, we had different meals every day and the staff were very accommodating when it came to catering for any dietary requirements. The best part about it was having animals walking around where you lived which was amazing to see! My friend did this project a couple of years back and she said it was one of the best things she has ever done so I went on to the website and found it extremely helpful. ACE were super helpful when it came to organising my trip. Every step of the way ACE was there for me, from the first phone call to arriving back in the UK after I finished my experience. They talked me through each project, which one they thought would be better suited for me and my goals, how long I could stay for, and the support I would get in South Africa. When I needed any additional information I was able to get hold of them straight away. The booking process was super easy and put me at ease because I knew I would be taken care of.

My time with the African Conservation Experience was amazing. From when they first picked me up at the airport it was an incredible experience. When we first arrived at the Wildlife Capture and Relocation Veterinary Project everyone was there to greet us and make us feel welcome. We had a presentation on the daily life at the project and on all of the animals that are kept there. Our safety was always first and foremost on the minds of all of the project’s employees. We did a mass capture where we created a large corral and slowly corralled the wildlife into different sections which eventually led to a chute where we led them to the trucks to be transported to other farms. The best thing about working with the capture team and ACE was that they really cared about the animals and took their time during the mass captures to make sure that none of them overheated, became too exhausted, or overstressed. I have worked in the veterinary field for several years and this was very important to me. While working with the capture team we spent quite a lot of time with the veterinarian who showed and explained what medications were being used and the route of administration for various drugs. He spent time to think about how the medications would affect each species of animal and the best way to reverse any drug should there be an adverse reaction. We had the opportunity to work with a pregnant lioness and he made sure that the medications that he used would not hurt the cubs and that he could fully reverse the effects of the drugs. Overall working with the African Conservation Experience and the Wildlife Capture and Relocation Veterinary Project was a unique experience. They treated us like family from the time they picked us up at the airport to when we went through the gate to head home. I highly recommend anyone who wants to learn about wildlife conservation while getting hands on experience to go through the ACE team. I will forever be in their debt for the kindness, love and education that they have taught me.

My name is Micaela Chaffin and I currently attend University in Tennessee. I am a pre-veterinary student currently applying to veterinary programs in the US. I chose to do the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience with ACE for the wildlife medicine experience. I traveled to South Africa alone and was extremely nervous, however, from the moment that I landed in South Africa, I knew that I was in great hands with ACE. I spent three weeks at the Louis Trichardt Clinic shadowing their wildlife vet. I have nothing but great things to say about him and the other veterinarians at the clinic. Most of our time was spent with the vet darting different antelope species, buffalo, and zebra, then treating those animals as needed. This experience is VERY hands on. I got to do many injections, monitored breathing, holding animals, and assisting in any way that I could. If the wildlife vet didn’t have much planned that particular day, then we would shadow one of the other vets. This usually involved assisting in fertilisation, pregnancy, and TB testing of cattle or bulls. We also assisted in treating puncture wounds in bulls. Every day was an adventure and we never knew what was going to happen next. Most weekends when we weren’t working, we got to go on trips to different locations. My first weekend I was there, we took a trip to a safari camp that wasn’t too far from where we were staying. We got to braai, take safaris, and we even did a walking tour that led us to rhinos with their original horns! The next weekend we traveled around Kruger National Park, where I got to see a ton of elephants, zebra, giraffe, lions, and leopards. My last weekend, we took a relaxation trip to a resort with giant pools that we floated in all day. Everyone that I met while on this journey were so incredible, and wanted to make sure that us Americans were having a great time. One day specifically, it was taking a while to dart the antelope, so the owners of the farm allowed us to see their lions. On a different day, we were there to treat sable, but ended up working with Nyala. Every day was unexpected in the best possible ways, and always left us wanting more. The volunteers that I worked with were absolutely amazing, and I believe I may have met some lifelong friends. If there’s one thing that I hope someone gets out of this, is that if you are considering going, but you are nervous, DO IT ANYWAY! This was the best experience of my life and so eye opening! I would go again in a heartbeat.

I had an incredible experience with ACE and ProVet in Hoedspruit! Two weeks flew by with everything from rhino field care to in-clinic practice on the docket. Coordination and communication with ACE was top-notch the entire time, and I'd absolutely recommend them to anyone interested in wildlife care and support in SA.

Upon my arrival to South Africa, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was met in the airport by ACE team members who were very nice and excited to see me. Transport to my placement was by road and it was about a 5 hour drive out into the middle of the South African bushveld. I was truly in the middle of nowhere. When I first arrived to my placement, all my fears and worries were gone. The property I stayed at was owned by a busy wildlife services veterinary team. I stayed in small student lodges that could sleep 4. They were extremely nice, newly renovated, and had a tiled bathroom! Also, there was a lodge that had a bar, projector, tables, and a pool. The work I was involved with could be divided into two categories. The first would be working directly with the vet and his wife, both of whom were extremely nice, caring, and extremely fun to be around. I found that at the end of my stay we had become very close friends. A typical day with the vet and my volunteer buddies would be driving out to a farm to help treat any animals that could be suffering from a variety of ailments. During my time, we darted a lot of sable, and I was also able to see some nyala, sheep, tzezebe, and buffalo. During these experiences I was able to administer vaccinations and help aid in other treatments like ultrasound and horn capping. The other category of work I was involved with was with the vet and the wildlife capture team. Working with the capture team was probably the most fun I had. We would drive out to various farms and would basically transport large numbers of animals at one time. Some days we would be transporting buffalo to various camps, and so the vet would go up in the helicopter and dart the buffalo from the air. We would then chase down the buffalo by truck and transport them out of that camp and into another. This was truly exhilarating. I was also able to help with something called mass capture. This entailed building a temporary corral and herding by helicopter the various antelope species into the corral. Once the antelope made it into the corral, we would then herd them by foot into transportation trucks to move the animals out of the farm and into a new one. This was probably the most fun experience I had. Overall, my one month stay in South Africa was incredible and I will never forget the experiences I had. The people I worked with were amazing. The animals I worked with were awe-inspiring. This is something I would love to do again in the future.

I found out about ACE through a friend of mine who is studying to be a vet. She told me about this programme in Africa and so I immediately went online to look it up and came across ACE. I was very nervous to send in my application because I was worried about how my parents would react, but once I did and actually spoke to the ACE team my fears disappeared. I told them about my goal of becoming a vet and what animals I would be interested in working with and they gave me two different project options within the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience. The first option would be working alongside an experienced wildlife vet and the second choice was with a specialist veterinary team who focused on relocation work. They went over each project in detail and I was able to decide which project matched my interests the most. I wanted to be working directly with wildlife like big cats, elephants, and lots of different species and so the fact that the project worked with a huge variety of species really caught my interest. The Shimongwe project absolutely fit my needs and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. This was my first time travelling alone, and the first time anyone in my family has travelled alone and on top of that it was to Africa! Most people think that this is one of the most dangerous places you can travel to but I’ve quickly realised that it’s not. It is all thanks to ACE who were able to reassure me and my parents who were very concerned that I would be safe. They went over the entire process of how they would pick me up at the airport as soon as I landed. They also gave me their full support by providing 24/7 support from the team in country and so I felt 100% safe, and this was enough to convince my parents to let me go. I was immediately thrown into the thick of it on my first day when the veterinary team went to do a rhino dehorning. They worked on 3 rhinos, and it was wonderful to see them up close. It wasn’t pleasant to see a rhino being dehorned but at the same time it was an amazing, educational experience. Another special moment was when the team sterilised three lionesses, I learnt how this was extremely important to manage and control the populations to prevent inbreeding. It was interesting to hear how there is overpopulation of lions in South Africa on certain reserves as opposed to the rest of Africa. Aside from the amazing veterinary experience I also got to explore a lot of different amazing natural habitats of Africa. I’m a big naturalist and I appreciated every little tree and plant I saw. We went up into the mountains and the cliffs and I was able to appreciate every colour and all the different animals running around. I went to a bunch of different waterfalls and swam in crystal clear waters, which was beautiful. I went to Kruger and luckily I got to see a lot of different animals including 3 of the big 5! This experience has made me want to return to Africa and spend more time exploring to see what else I can find. My host family were also absolutely wonderful, right from the very beginning they included me as a part of their family. They are a very social family who like to tell jokes and they cooked me the nicest food I could have asked for, which made me feel very welcome and like I was at home. Being in such a social environment was a shock after the last two years of COVID, and so I felt very reserved at first but seeing how the family interact with each other allowed me to open up and join in. This experience has been very eye opening, I have learned about the many different fields I could go inot as of a vet and I feel like I have a lot more options now. I’m very excited to explore and figure out what my future might hold!

The 22 hours on a plane and 5 hours I spent in a car to get to the conservation project was grueling, but after arriving at the Shimongwe Wildlife Relocation and Veterinary Experience I could see that it was completely worth it. I spent two weeks with the Shimongwe team and I loved every encounter I had with the unique and exotic wildlife in South Africa. My favorite part of the experience was relocating animals. This was done by darting animals one by one, then administering vitamins, antibiotics, and vaccinations before loading them onto a truck to move to a different farm. This is a very important part of the conservation project because it redistributes genes to different animal populations in order to increase genetic variation. I gained so much experience giving shots to many different species of animals including roan, buffalo, and sable. I am happy to say that I was able to take these practical veterinary skills and apply them back home to the livestock on our farm. I highly recommend this experience if you are at all interested in the veterinary or vet tech field. You will gain so much experience under a wonderful wildlife veterinarian as well as being encouraged to ask any and all questions you might have about the animals and the conservation efforts that are taking place to protect them. While not out with the veterinarian, there were still many ways for me to help out. This includes feeding the antelope, ostriches, rhinos, and big cats as well as filling up water troughs and building friendships with the amazing staff. I also highly recommend ACE if you plan on traveling to South Africa. They go above and beyond to make sure that their volunteers are safe, taken care of, and that they have a good experience. ACE made traveling during the covid pandemic completely stress-free and puts the volunteers above anything else. I cannot thank the wonderful people at ACE enough for the unforgettable trip I had in South Africa.

I’ve always had an interest in veterinary medicine and wild animals. Living in the UK you don’t get many opportunities to work with and see wildlife. I wanted to explore what it would be like working as a wildlife vet, and from hearing about the project that ACE offers through a friend I knew I needed to book this trip! The vet I worked with was an inspiration, not only to me but, to his colleagues and other wildlife vets in the area. He was very friendly, funny, and laidback, but also amazing at his job. He was able to answer all of my questions and more! He made sure I was involved in everything and that I got to see as much as possible. I was involved in so many procedures during my 2 week stay, some examples include, rhino dehorning; working with cheetah by lancing an abscess and injecting them with hormones; treating a buffalo that was injured by a lion; and even seeing how they perform a post mortem on a hyena which was brilliant! Part of the post mortem involves testing the animal for rabies, to do this they have to send part of the brain off for testing! I was part of a particularly incredible operation: translocating rhinos from South Africa to Mozambique. Several vets worked together, however, the vet I was shadowing lead the process. The vets would come to him for approval, for his opinion, and for advice on medication and it was great to see how the team worked together. The rhinos were being translocated to Mozambique because they have very few rhinos left due to poaching. As part of the process the rhinos had transmitters drilled into their horns so they can be tracked easily once they have been released and also to monitor their movements. I got to be very involved in the operation and once the rhinos had been darted and loaded into crates I was able to help the vet nurses administer reversal drugs to the rhinos! Expect the unexpected! One animal I never thought I would get to see was a pangolin as they are the most trafficked animal in the world. On my first day at the clinic I saw a pangolin! I learnt how to effectively care for pangolins in captivity such as how they do not eat unless they are taken on really long walks to forage. The pangolin I saw needed to be given fluids as it was losing weight. The host family that I stayed with were amazing, and they are all very friendly and make you feel as though you are part of their family. Their house is on a reserve that also has wild animals roaming around. The accommodation I stayed in was really nice, it was almost like a small studio with an ensuite bathroom which gave me privacy when I needed it. The rooms are separate from the main house where I would eat their incredible food and play games or watch tv in the evening. On the weekends they also had lots of different activities I could get involved in. I chose to go horse riding on their reserve as the host family owns their own stables. I also went on a trip to the Kruger National Park and saw lots of other wildlife that I hadn’t already seen with the vet. If I was able to stay longer I would definitely have chosen more activities! This experience will help me with my future studies. It has given me a unique opportunity to work with lots of different species which would not have been possible if I had not volunteered. The work I was involved in and the knowledge gained from working with lots of different species will also help me stand out from other students!

I found African Conservation Experience (ACE) incredibly helpful from the get-go. As a newly graduated vet, I wanted to travel to South Africa to work on the many species I was interested in. Upon researching all of the different organisations that supported veterinary projects out there, I just loved the freedom that ACE provided when designing my very own experience. When they described over the phone to me the Shimongwe Veterinary Experience, I loved how it sounded geared more towards a graduated vet, rather than a student, and provided hands-on experience. I was incredibly grateful they provided me with all of the details of a project that really met my needs and what I was looking for. So I jumped on the plane! I travelled alone and didn’t know anyone here, but I couldn’t have been happier with what I had and all the people greeting me. All of the other vet students, nurses, and graduated vets that I met on the experience were such special people and it was so lovely to meet like-minded people from different corners of the earth. It was so much fun comparing the university experiences we’ve all had, the teaching experiences we’ve had, and where some people had time in practice, the knowledge that also came from that. We all benefited enormously from each other, learnt so much from one another, and hopefully will stay lifelong friends. One of my very special experiences was with a Nyala, a type of antelope, which I had never heard of until I came to South Africa! They’re beautiful. They’re also unique because the bull and the ewe are so distinctly different in their appearance. One morning, we were doing game capture to relocate these Nyalas, as there were too many bulls in this one reserve, and the vet darted this bull – but he had gone! The sedation takes time as it’s intramuscularly, so it’s not an immediate effect. So during this time of the drug taking effect, the bull had gone into the deep, deep bush, so we had to find him quickly, as you want to reverse these sedatives as swiftly as possible, to minimise any negative effects. So the whole team of us, the volunteers, the vets, and everyone on the farm, created a line and moved parallel through the bush to find this Nyala. And it was deep bush! You had to go down onto your hands and knees at some points to get through. I was very lucky, though. I was the second person to find the Nyala bull, after the vet himself who had been dragging him through the bush as he was now fully sedated, and had been doing so for over five minutes. He was naturally exhausted, so I had the privilege of taking over! As tiring as it was, it was an amazing experience. I helped to take this bull out and onto the tracks where, after a few moments, he groggily got onto his feet and I led him by the antlers back to the trailer. We quickly treated the dark wounds and gave him parasite treatments, then reversed him and off he went in the trailer to his new home. I’ve gained lots through this experience, and probably most importantly is the hands-on knowledge and understanding of how veterinary practices perform out in South Africa, and the difference with the different species. We all know that one species is not the same as the other – the drugs that are used, their metabolisms, even their characters are so different – but it’s been great for me as a graduate vet to gain more practical experience, as you are still very much in the learning phase. To go on a day of pregnancy diagnosing 150 cattle… that is just so much more hands-on experience which was immensely helpful, and I’ve loved every second of it. I’ve also gained experience of the culture – this was something I thought was really unique to the Shimongwe Veterinary Experience. We were taken to these amazing game lodges and beautiful farms – places you wouldn’t know to go to, and this insider knowledge really immersed me into South African culture.