W H O W E A R E North Wild Veterinary and Wildlife offers an incredibly unique experience in the heart of the South African bush. Through the combination of conservation and wildlife veterinary practice in a specially designed hands-on approach, this program will offer you an indepth knowledge into what it takes to conserve and protect South African wildlife. W H A t t o e x p e c t Our program is broken down into three main components: Working alongside experienced veterinarians Gaining conservation experience on a nature game reserve Visiting some of the top animal conservation centres in South Africa as well as a two day safari at one of Africa s largest reserves, the Kruger National Park During your time with North Wild we want to ensure that you leave us with invaluable hands-on experience as well as lifelong memories. Because of this, we only take on small groups of 4-6 people for each programme to maximise each individuals involvement. For all enquiries: sarah@northwildexperience.com 1
V e t e r I n a r y e x p e r I e n c e Whilst conducting your veterinarian experience, you will be infield and can be expected to assist in any of the following procedures (activities vary greatly and depend on emergency call outs or scheduled operations): 5 Game capture and relocation 5 Low schedule drug preparation and administration 5 Wound treatments 5 Rifle dart training from a helicopter 5 Herd health assessments 5 Monitoring the effect of anaesthesia on animals vital signs 5 Data collection 5 Domestic animal treatment C O N S E R V A T I O N For the second part of your programme you will be involved in the everyday running of a nature game reserve. This could include: 5 Tracking and mapping a particular species 5 Anti-poaching 5 Collecting behavioural data 5 Setting up camera traps or 5 Assisting with ongoing game counts These are all essential activities needed to ensure the efficient and smooth management of a game reserve. This part of the programme will give you the opportunity to observe South African animals in their natural habitat. 2
I t I n e r a r y D A Y 1 Arrival at Hoedspruit Airport. You will be collected from the airport and transported to Gecko Lodge for a briefing on the unforgettable activities that are planned in the programme! D A Y 2 D A Y 3 D A Y 4 D A Y 5 D A Y 6 D A Y 7 An informative day visiting Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Both centres are at the forefront of Cheetah and Rhino conservation. D A Y 8 O P T I O N 1 free time at your accommodation. O P T I O N 2 ziplining adventure in Haenertsburg mountains and lunch out (ziplining and lunch not included in programme cost) D A Y 9 Kruger National Park excursion and overnight stay in one of the main camps. D A Y 10 Kruger National Park D A Y 11 Arrival at Ndzalama Game Reserve where you will begin learning about reserve management and animal conservation through research. 3
I t I n e r a r y D A Y 1 2 Second day at Ndzalama learning about anti-poaching methods, tracking a variety of species and collecting behavioural data (species depends on ongoing research). Night game drive. D A Y 13 Final day at Ndzalama mapping species sightings and checking camera traps (species again depends on ongoing research). D A Y 14 Transport to Hoedspruit Airport. I M P O R T A N T Please note that due to the nature of the work, no day is ever routine and volunteers would need to be versatile to all situations. Whilst working with the veterinarian, you will always be given a briefing before you go out into the field. 4
W H A T S I N C L U D E D 5 Accommodation 5 All meals and non-alcoholic drinks 5 Airport transfers 5 Transport to all excursions 5 Working with our specialist wildlife veterinarian 5 Two day visitors pass and overnight accommodation in Kruger National Park 5 Entrance into animal rehabilitation centres listed on itinerary 5 Three day stay on a game reserve surrounded by elephants, lions, leopards and many more South African species 5 Practical darting session from a helicopter 5 North Wild embroidered fleece and t-shirt 5 Wi-Fi 5 Daily laundry and cleaning service W H A T S N O T I N C L U D E D 5 Flights 5 Visas 5 Travel insurance 5 Alcoholic beverages 5 Any excursions not mentioned in the itinerary 5
U S E F U L I N F O R M A T I O N A C C O M M O D A T I O N Accommodation whilst onsite is same sex shared chalets. Each chalet has en-suite bathrooms and access to Wi-Fi. F L I G H T S Please ensure that your flight arrives at Hoedspruit before mid-afternoon on the first day of the programme. On return, we advise that your flight from Hoedspruit to O.R. Tambo Johannesburg must allow you 3 hours before your international flight. T R A V E L I N S U R A N C E Due to the nature of the activities that you will be undertaking, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. On arrival please ensure that you provide us with a copy along with your emergency contact numbers. V I S A If you require any help at all regarding your visa, please don t hesitate to contact us. G E N E R A L South African currency is Rands (ZAR). Our electricity supply is 220/230 volts, three-pin round plugs. Phone number area code is +27 Our summer season (also rain season) runs from September to March, but it is typically warm/hot throughout the year. Winter months are from April until August and can be very cool in the early mornings and late evenings. We strongly advise bringing sturdy boots, a sunhat/cap and clothes you don t mind getting dirty! 6
U S E F U L I N F O R M A T I O N V A C C I N A T I O N S Please check with your local doctors about any vaccinations that are needed to travel to South Africa. Due to the nature of the work, we require you to have an up to date rabies vaccination. M A L A R I A Limpopo and the Kruger National Park are at risk areas for malaria. Please talk to your local doctors about appropriate anti-malarial tablets. L o c a t I o n 7