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Vets4Africa brings
veterinary science professionals from around the world to experience Africa in a
way uniquely tailored to complement their professional interests. Visitors will
interface directly with the experts who work with wildlife, including endangered
species, and have developed successful management, game capture and
translocation conditions. Tours include interactive visits to specialised
breeding centres, rehabilitation sanctuaries, specialised breeding programmes as
well as traditional safari activities in some of the most beautiful places in
the world. Vets4Africa fosters collaborative opportunities to benefit local
veterinary research, rehabilitation and in particular, educational projects
advancing the care of domestic animals and livestock within disadvantaged
communities. Currently Vets4Africa is focused on South Africa, a country of
haunting physical beauty and home to fascinating fauna and flora. This truly
Rainbow Nation with it’s vibrant history resonates today in a booming economy
promising a glowing future. These factors all combine to ensure that South
Africa is a premier international tourist destination which offers the
discerning traveler remarkable insights into the diverse realities of a leading
developing nation. The South African tourist industry has become particularly
acknowledged for the excellent value for money it’s services offer and continues
to attract the highest rates of repeat visitors. With a South African heritage
and valuable networks, especially in the wildlife field, and a
multicultural awareness, gained from over 20 years experience in Europe and the
USA, Vets4Africa is uniquely qualified to offer veterinary science practitioners
the chance to enjoy an exhilarating adventure whilst exploring their
professional field. South Africa leads the world in the effective management of
wildlife. Related to this has been the development of chemical capture for the
wide diversity of animal species found in South Africa. Allied to this has been
the perfection of game capture techniques which result in limited stress periods
for animals. This makes South Africa a prime educational destination for
government agencies or non governmental organisations focused on wildlife
management. Vets4Africa seeks to build increased international awareness and
collaboration within the veterinary science community to benefit research,
rehabilitation and education. What We Do Vets4Africa tailors it’s tours to each
specific groups’ needs and interests. Our specialist guides lead small groups
through various institutions, organisations, national parks and private
game reserves in South Africa. Our veterinary specific focus is on
rehabilitation centres, specialist breeding centres and sanctuaries including
The Hoedspruit Research Center for Endangered Species, The Elephant Sanctuary,
De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Centre, The Khamai Reptile Park, The Faculty of
Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria and The Game Capture School.
However these destinations are located close to either the Kruger National Park
or the Waterberg where traditional safari activities, such as day/night game
drives and walks through the bush, can also be enjoyed. Vets4Africa guides work
closely with leaders in their respective fields to ensure that valuable
understanding is shared on the chosen subject. Under their combined guidance
this creates a unique opportunity for visiting practitioners to intimately
experience the current issues facing South African veterinary science
professionals and wildlife managers.In addition Vets4Africa recognises that many
veterinary science professionals visiting South Africa will also wish to
experience the wonders of South Africa that make it such a desirable travel
destination. Vets4Africa understands that these tourist opportunities are too
numerous to mention, but will gladly advise, arrange and accompany groups
wherever they chose to travel. Please see accordingly our Enquiries page.Through
our experience and knowledge we provide the very best professionals and
facilities so that only qualified guides or veterinary specialists will
accompany the group throughout it’s tour. We have also selected a variety of
quality accommodations including bush camps, bed & breakfasts, private homes and
hotels. Combined, this contributes to building a truly memorable encounter with
the real South Africa.Recommendations Experience has taught us that groups
numbering not more than 6 people offer the best opportunity for a personalised
service with logistical ease. Many visiting veterinary professionals make up
their own group often including their relatives which turns this into an
exciting blend of learning and family holiday fun.Given the rigours of
international travel and the host of tourist opportunities in South Africa we
recommend that a visit of not less than 2 full weeks is ideal. However
Vets4Africa will be delighted to host groups for the length of time they choose
to accommodate their specific needs and interests. South Africa is a large
country with almost 2000km separating the wildlife reserves of Kruger National
Park and the Waterberg in it’s North West from Cape Town in the South. This
reality offers a perfect means to plan a visit arriving in Johannesburg, in the
northern half of the country, to experience the veterinary specific activities
available here prior to traveling south to enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle and
Mediterranean climate of the Western Cape. Making this journey can be via land
or air and the fabulous Rovos Rail has deservedly earned it’s reputation as an
ultimate rail experience. This is of course just a suggestion because there are
superb tourist options everywhere in the country. Some other realities to help
plan your visit are as follows: 1. Weather: Hottest months throughout the
country are typically from October to February· Highest rainfall months in the
North of the country are from November to March· .: Highest rainfall months in
and around Cape Town are from May to September 2. Prime game viewing months are
in the South African winter from July to September 3. Prime game capture months
are from April to August 4. Worst months for malaria, prevalent only in some
parts of South Africa, are from late October to early April. We will gladly
supply additional information here but strongly recommend that you consult with
your Medical Doctor in this regard at least 6 weeks prior to your arrival in
South Africa. Please note that ongoing fieldwork opportunities enables
Vets4Africa to offer year round game viewing and capture opportunities.
During the hottest months, please note that game capture will only occur in the
very early hours of the morning as a means to limit heat exposure to the
animals, whose health and safety always remain the primary consideration.As most
of Vets4Africa’s tours are tailored specifically, costs will vary accordingly.
Visitors will be able to choose from a variety of accommodations, methods of
transport and activities all of which can significantly impact the overall cost
a tour. Notwithstanding this, Vets4Africa’s prices remain competitive giving
everyone the opportunity to experience South Africa within their budgets.
Vets4Africa recommends that groups tailor their tours specifically, from options
such as those listed below, to suit interests and needs. However Vets4Africa
also provides activities covering a number of other special interests and
accordingly requests that you please note these preferences with your Enquiries.
We will promptly provide an initial itinerary and detailed activity programme
when responding to your Enquiries. Elephant Sanctuary The Elephant Sanctuary is
located in Magaliesberg which is an hour’s drive north west from Johannesburg.
This is in a malaria-free area with indigenous bush home to animal species such
as impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard and over 350 bird
species. The sanctuary adopts orphaned elephants, training them for humans to be
able to encounter these large mammals on a truly individual basis. This is an
ultimate experience and your interaction with these magnificent mammals will
deepen your wildlife understanding and change you forever.Whilst delivering
veterinary specific activities this centre is particularly family friendly Game
Capture School, Bela-Bela The Game Capture School is situated just outside of
Bela Bela just over an hour by vehicle north of Pretoria, the capital city of
South Africa. The school provides comprehensive hands-on courses in the safe and
ethically acceptable methods of the handling, managing and capturing of wild
animals under a variety of circumstances and conditions. The School is located
on a large private game reserve and vacation resort which offers wonderful
family styled holiday activities such as fishing, golf, swimming pools, boating,
squash, tennis, water skiing and, of course, not forgetting traditional game
drives. Courses offered range from: .: wildlife immobilization, including
shooting from a helicopter · the use of tranquillizers in mass capture· .:
technical support during chemical capture of wildlife· .: animal rehabilitation
and wildlife diseases, including the handling of birds· .: the management of a
captive lion population, including the immobilization of lions Whilst
delivering veterinary specific activities this centre is particularly family
friendly Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species The Hoedspruit Centre for
Endangered Species is situated just outside Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province
and is one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for
endangered species in South Africa. Endangered species include cheetah, the rare
king cheetah, African wild dog, black-footed cat, African wild cat, ground
hornbill and South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane. A vulture restaurant
at the centre attracts the white-backed vulture, hooded vulture, occasionally
the lappet-faced vulture and cape griffon as well as the marabou stork and
Bateleur eagle.Whilst delivering veterinary specific activities this centre is
particularly family friendly Khamai Reptile Park The Khamai Reptile Park is
situated in the Limpopo Province in a prime location for reptile related
research and conservation work. The area has a high concentration of snakes with
the associated high frequency of contact with humans. Research conducted at the
park is particularly focused on snake venoms but also includes field studies and
husbandry of reptiles from around the world. Khamai has a strong education
programme for members of the public but is also the only location from where the
officially sanctioned South African Game Rangers Reptile course is conducted.
Accordingly it can be expected to enjoy a richly interactive session with the
reptiles and their human specialists. Whilst delivering veterinary specific
activities this centre is also family friendly Kruger National Park The Kruger
National Park is world-renowned and offers a wildlife experience that ranks with
the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South
African Lowveld, this park of nearly 2,000,000ha is unrivalled in the diversity
of its life forms and is a world leader in advanced environmental management
techniques and policies.Evidence of mankind’s existence in this Lowveld
environment over many centuries, from bushman rock paintings to majestic
archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela, is very evident here.
These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in
the history of the park and are conserved along with it’s natural assets.Truly
the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger National Park is home
to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114
reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. A truly family experience Londolozi
Private Game Reserve The Londolozi Private Game Reserve is one of the most
celebrated private game reserves in the world. Over the years it has evolved
into a renowned eco-tourism destination in the heart of the celebrated Sabi Sand
Game Reserve in South Africa which shares a boundary with the equally world
famous Kruger National Park. Londolozi is synonymous with, and offers
unprecedented viewing of, leopards. It’s skilled rangers and trackers have
shared and contributed to international research on these elusive cats. Numerous
documentaries, some of which took years to complete, have been filmed by
National Geographic and the Discovery Animal Channel here. It is almost an
accepted norm to view the Big 5 in a single day! With it’s close relationship
with Londolozi Vets4Africa is in the unique position of being able to deliver a
veterinary specific programme here oholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is located near Hoedspruit in the
Limpopo province. It nestles on the slopes of the 1,944m high Mariepskop,
one of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg range, affording it breathtaking
views of towering mountains and vertical cliffs on the one side and the Lowveld
savanna rolling towards Kruger National Park on the other. The centre
contributes to the conservation of endangered species and the rehabilitation of
injured and poisoned wildlife. It also facilitates a number of successful
breeding programs. Wherever possible it’s rehabilitated birds and animals are
returned to the wild but for those not so fortunate, due to the nature and
extent of their injuries, they are used for education purposes becoming in
essence the ‘ambassadors’ of their species.The management and staff here are a
group of dedicated conservationists thoroughly committed to the preservation of
wildlife.Whilst delivering veterinary specific activities this centre is
particularly family friendly Sandton SPCA This SPCA facility serves as a
municipal pound for the city of Sandton which is fast becoming a new commercial
centre just north of Johannesburg. Typically it houses stray animals, normally
dogs and cats but also including horses, cattle, donkeys, sheep, pigs, chickens,
ducks and geese. A dipping facility to control ticks and fleas is also
available. The veterinary clinic located here treats the animals in the pound as
well as those brought in from Alexandra and other nearby disadvantaged areas.
Much in evidence in these areas is the thrive/survive phenomenon of domesticated
animals and livestock in township conditions. There is also a corps of
inspectors operating from here, who responding to reports of animal abuse are,
for the most part, more focused on educating owners rather than prosecuting
them. Vets4Africa has already tailored tours with specific veterinary themes to
offer a deeper insight for those with special interests. An example of an Equine
Specific tour is detailed below for information sake but please be sure to note
your special interests as requested with your Enquiries. What to see and do on
the Equine Tour can include;
Game viewing from horseback in the Waterberg Operating out of a farmhouse
reminiscent of Out of Africa in a private game reserve in the Waterberg you are
offered the opportunity for some of the greatest plains game viewing in the
African bush from horseback. This area lies on the inter-continental convergence
zone which is home to as many different species of trees as there are in the
whole of western Europe There are 30 horses (comprising large thoroughbreds,
Arab-boerperd crosses and some fabulous children’s ponies) with MacLelan and
English saddlery to choose from. All outback rides are led by two competent
guides and the emphasis is on safety at all times. Whilst delivering some
veterinary specific activities this is a family friendly activity· Equine Clinic
- Faculty Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria The Equine Clinic supports
a South Africa’s thriving horse community with especially strong links into our
horse racing fraternity. It delivers state of the art facilities including a
hydrotherapy pool. Veterinary specific Animals in Distress – Tembisa Coal Yard
Project Animals in Distress which operates from the Midrand area, just north of
Johannesburg, was founded over 45 years ago. It concentrates entirely on
providing veterinary services to animals belonging to those they define
as financially disadvantaged people. In addition to it’s kennels it maintains
paddocks and stabling facilities for large animals together with a small day
clinic. The society runs an ambulance service only for sick or injured horses,
cattle, dogs and cats in townships and informal settlements which are brought to
the clinic for treatment. Coal is a primary source for heat for cooking and
other domestic purposes in South Africa’s townships. The society has struck an
innovative arrangement with the Tembisa Coal Yard owners who have made their
yards available for a small mobile clinic where fieldworkers can treat township
animals. In exchange the society supplies hay and veterinary services for their
horses. The fieldworkers perform basic health services, including vaccinations,
deworming, dipping etc., and transport more serious cases back to their day
clinic. Veterinary specific South African Lipizzaner Centre Visit the second
home of the dancing white stallions. The Lipizzaner horses based in Kyalami,
north of Johannesburg, are famous throughout the world for their ability to
execute a series of classical movements combining tremendous power and exquisite
finesse. The South African Lipizzaner Centre is privileged to have 30 performing
stallions and is the only other school worldwide to have the seal of approval
from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Whilst delivering veterinary specific
activities this centre is particularly family friendly · Horse Fertility
ClinicThis clinic is located in close to the South African Lipizzaner Centre in
Kyalami, north of Johannesburg and specialises in embryo implants particularly
with Warm Bloods. Here you would meet with the horse fertility veterinarian for
an overview of clinic facilities and discussion on rates of embryo implant
success. Veterinary specific Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park Skukuza is
the Kruger National Park's largest rest camp and also home to it’s
administrative headquarters. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie
River and is well foliaged with lofty riverine vegetation. Skukuza was the
Tsonga name for James Stevenson-Hamilton who was the first warden of the park
anditerally translated means he who sweeps clean. This is a reference to the
removal of local people to make way for the establishment of the park. The camp
situated, in the heart of Big 5 territory, is easily accessed by road and by
air. It is capable of accommodating over 500 guests in a variety of
accommodations from camp sites and furnished safari tents to luxury riverside
bungalows and guesthouses. Bird life and wild game in the area are easily
spotted during organised bush walks and game drives whilst wildlife
documentaries are shown in an outdoor amphitheatreThere is even a magnificent 9
hole, 18-tee, Par 72 golf course available for golf enthusiasts. A truly family
experience This is a veterinary specific activity Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Pretoria The original Faculty, founded by Sir Arnold Theiler in
1920, in Onderstepoort, north of Pretoria, was the oldest of it’s kind in
Africa. It’s graduates enjoy reciprocity with the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons in Great Britain together with Massey University in New Zealand. The
physical facilities at Onderstepoort were renewed or completely revamped between
1986 and 1996. The new Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of
Pretoria is one of 27 Veterinary faculties in Africa with a campus which
compares most favorably with the best in the world.The Faculty has five academic
departments, an Equine Research Centre and Wildlife Unit. The Veterinary
Academic Hospital provides state of the art facilities for the clinical
departments and is the focus of the Faculty practice rendering a service to the
immediate community as well as providing a national referral service. A
multipurpose research facility caters for the needs of the Faculty and is also
available for contract research conducted by outside agencies or companies.
Veterinary specific Cape Town, Western Cape Cape Town is fondly referred to
locally as The Mother City and is considered one of the world’s gateway cities.
Depending on your preferences Vets4Africa will deliver choices to suit your
taste and budget. For information sake Cape Town’s Top 5 attractions are:1.
Table Mountain and it’s Cable Car. The ride up Table Mountain via it’s cable car
is, due to high winds or low cloud cover, occasionally unavailable. However,
don’t delay when you do get the opportunity because the weather is always
changeable in these southern latitudes and you will never forget the
breathtaking view of the Cape from the top of this spectacular mountain. If you
feel more energetic than others, a hike to the top is also a wonderful means to
get there!2. Robben Island. This was the home of our most illustrious personage,
Nelson Mandela, for almost 27 years. Robben Island is a must for those who are
historically and politically inclined or who wish to enjoy a ferry ride across
the cold Atlantic Ocean offering a wonderful view of the rocky cliffs of Cape
Town.
3. Cape Wine routes. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek are the
names of just a few of our most spectacular wine regions. Taste to your content
and feast your eyes on endless valleys all busting forth with vineyards nestling
between some of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.4. Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens. Regarded as one of the most comprehensive and glorious
botanical gardens in the world. Take a ride in a covered golf cart around the
gardens and have an array of impressive trees and plants pointed out to you and
explained in terms of ancient medicinal uses.5. Cape Point. Here on the southern
tip of Africa, two great oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic meet. An impressive
outing including stopping off at any one of the still working fishing harbours
for a freshly caught meal of fish.