Endangered Species Experience
If you’ve been searching online for wildlife opportunities to gain some in-person, practical experience, you may be restricted by the cost or quality of the options out there. For this reason, we’ve designed an exclusive package just for those passionate about endangered species that is both affordable and of high quality. It’s built around our principles of collaboration, credibility, and accessibility by connecting communities and exceptional projects and experts.
How it works
Selecting only 2 students per two weeks, the Zululand Rhino and Endangered Species Experience will aim to inspire you with a combination of rhino rehabilitation, pangolin protection, plus wildlife vet shadowing (when possible). The experience includes the following highlights…
- Inspiring rhino rehabilitation (& pangolin protection when possible)
- Game reserve and wildlife orphanage experience
- Credible wildlife vets (on request)
- Practical clinical EMS and AHEMS sign-offs (when possible)
- 24-hour support crew
- Professional airport pick up and drop off
- Community activities and conservation topics (on request)
Costs
2022
Starting at £120 GBP / $165 USD / *R2350 ZAR (subject to change) per day (2 weeks minimum)
With Vet Add Ons at £100 GBP / $135 USD / *R2000 ZAR (subject to change) per day (based on one day per week)
*Rate based on required South African Rand and therefore international currencies subject to change.
2023
Subject to change
Arrival
DURBAN KING SHAKA AIRPORT
Pre-arranged arrival into Durban Airport (or Richard’s Bay Airport when possible) where you will be collected by our team (please arrive by 13:00 pm on your arrival day in order to meet our transfer time).
These airports are reached via a 1-hour connecting flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport.
Projects
SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT
Focus – Rhino orphanage
Project – Zululand Rhino Orphanage
Summary – It is important to note that times vary depending on the age of the orphans at the facility and the time of the year. If an orphan is still on the milk you can have between 1 and 6 feeds during the day as well as the possibility of night feeds. In the summer months, your day will start as early as 5 am whereas, in winter months, the starting time may be as late as 7 am.
Your morning typically starts with preparing and letting the rhinos out into their larger daytime boma, once a week during this time the rhinos will also be weighed. After letting the rhinos out, you will assist with the cleaning of their nighttime bomas, this includes removing the dung and old hay, as well as cleaning their shelter and water troughs. After this, you will help weigh and prepare dry food (hay) for the rest of the day. Typically, this process takes about 2 hours. Milk feed times depend on the age of the current orphans, you will be provided this schedule upon arrival.
During the middle of the day is when you will get time to relax. You can also use this time to assist with other duties such as simple admin work/ data input, or cleaning the kitchen when you are on shift. This time after the morning duties are also when you might get the opportunity to get involved with community work, and wildlife conservation work in the greater area.
In the afternoons you will assist carers with bringing the rhinos in for the night and ensure they have enough dry food. Currently, we have 2 hippos in our care who will also be fed in the afternoons.
Typically your day will finish by the early evening.
RESERVE MANAGEMENT
Focus – Shadow an experienced wildlife vet
Summary – Observe practice clinical procedures and reserve procedures like observe darting / capture techniques when possible. We aim to include the following – Assist with rehabilitation, Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques, Husbandry skills – handling, Husbandry skills – observation. When possible – Husbandry skills – physical exam, Husbandry skills – reproduction, Husbandry skills – routine health care.
CONSERVATION IN THE COMMUNITY
Focus – Community education
Projects – Zululand Conservation Trust
Summary – The Zululand Conservation Trust is committed to the conservation of endangered species, whilst maintaining and supporting partnerships with neighboring communities. More details here.
Topics
*We aim to include and allow you to sign off the below topics. Please note that when working with wildlife, wildlife vets, and wildlife conservation there are times when ethics or circumstances do not always allow schedules to run according to plan.
CLINICAL EMS:
Observe / participate in clinical procedures (when possible)
Rhino de-horning (numbers dependent)
HUSBANDRY SKILLS:
Wildlife handling
Wildlife observation
Wildlife and / or captive routine health care
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION:
Assist with wildlife rehabilitation
Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques
CONSERVATION IN THE COMMUNITY:
Wildlife education
Environmental conservation
Accommodation
(Subject to Change in 2023)
PROJECT SELF-CATERING
Our accommodation is quite unique! It consists of a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom in a converted shipping container. The room has two single beds, a shelf, and an air conditioner. The bathroom has a toilet, shower, and a hand basin. There is WiFi available.
*Please note: we will only have 2 participants at a time and they will be required to share a room.*
We have a fully equipped communal kitchen for our staff and participants. Participants will need to cover their own food costs as we do not provide food but will provide support and arrangements. A trip to town once a week will allow participants to buy what they need.
Local Area
NORTHERN KWA-ZULU NATAL
We are situated in a low-risk Malaria area – Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We advise participants to consult with their doctor for any vaccinations or about the use of malaria tablets before their travels to South Africa.
Find out more about the Mkuze area here.
Support
PRE, DURING, AND POST-TRIP SUPPORT
Consult our Travel Advice here and also refer to Government advice and regulations around COVID (South Africa here and the UK here) and prepare your Declaration for Travel if required.
The best way to prepare for this experience is to take our Wildlife Vet Online course and read about our partners.
How To Book:
1. Register here.
2. Once your initial registration has been approved you will be invited to set up an interview here.
3. A deposit request to secure your spot will be sent to you.
4. Personalised support then follows – this includes payment plans and trip planning. Online planning is available here.
DROP DOWN ONLINE APPLICATION ALSO BELOW
“My time at the rhino orphanage has been absolutely amazing, I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to get involved with so many different things. Some highlights have been caring for the orphans, going on a game drive with some local school children, cheetah TB testing and an orthopaedic surgery and also seeing a rhino dehorning! Everyone at the orphanage is so kind and it’s because of them that I’ve had the most incredible two weeks – my only wish is that I could stay longer!”
– Ruby / BVSc University of Nottingham
“An incredible experience for an AHEMS student wanting to experience South Africa and wildlife to its fullest. The whole ZRO team is amazing and super friendly! I can’t recommend highly enough.”
– Maddy / BVSc University of Nottingham
WHY CHOOSE THE EXPEDITION PROJECT?
As a social enterprise, we are unique in our community partnerships and project spending. Additionally, our expeditions include donations and community support, carbon offset via tree plantings, and local business partnerships. Where your money goes is very important to us! Continue reading – click here.
OBJECTIVES, VISIONS, AND WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
The EXPEDITION Project works with organizations, NPOs, charities, social enterprises, and small businesses to create a reliable network across South Africa for all to use as a ‘how what, where, who’ resource. Our vision is to contribute meaningfully to sustainable rural communities, food security, and improved quality of life for all South Africans. Continue reading – click here.
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES
It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that all COVID-related requirements as well as passport and visa requirements are met prior to travel. The Expedition Project cannot be held responsible for the traveler being denied boarding / entry due to incorrect / insufficient documentation.
Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure you will be allowed entry into South Africa with all relevant documents and COVID-19 tests complete (if applicable).
Look out for updates on entry requirements – click here. Continue reading – click here.
Get prepared with Wildlife Vet Online!
Wildlife Vet Online is not just for wildlife vets, or aspiring wildlife vets, it is suitable for all interested in conservation, ecology and veterinary medicine.
Join Wildlife Vet Online
Modules / Species topics available individually or as a complete course.
Make sure you purchase a membership plan before you make a purchase if you want discounts.
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Make sure you purchase a membership plan before you make a purchase if you want discounts.
