Vet Visions

location
2 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Below average response rate

Highlights

  • Come into contact with iconic Zimbabwean wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopard, hyena and so much more!
  • Explore Zimbabwe as opposed to being stationed in one place icluding working with four orphaned elephants within a private game reserve
  • Assist in the day to day care and upkeep of animals within a sanctuary

Highlights

  • Come into contact with iconic Zimbabwean wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopard, hyena and so much more!
  • Explore Zimbabwe as opposed to being stationed in one place icluding working with four orphaned elephants within a private game reserve
  • Assist in the day to day care and upkeep of animals within a sanctuary
  • Hands-on vaccinations, assisting on farms, and deworming
  • Work alongside local vets and animal caregivers within different communities


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups

    About the program

    A 2 week project for pre-vets and those considering careers in animal care or conservation. Gain work experience with cattle, horses, dogs and wildlife.

    This course is designed to open your eyes to the culture, community, veterinary techniques, and lifestyle of various locations within Zimbabwe. With a limit of 10-15 in each group – one-on-one learning is made possible. Covering a wide area you will be exposed to the care of domestic animals at ...

    About the program

    This course is designed to open your eyes to the culture, community, veterinary techniques, and lifestyle of various locations within Zimbabwe. With a limit of 10-15 in each group – one-on-one learning is made possible. Covering a wide area you will be exposed to the care of domestic animals at local clinics, livestock management in rural areas, sanctuary care for orphaned animals, anti-poaching control within a game reserve and so much more!

    Set in Zimbabwe, you will be in contact with iconic African animals such as elephants, lions, leopard and other species throughout your trip. We have laid out a route destined to keep you hungry for more with a fast paced and well scheduled itinerary intended to take advantage of every moment of your trip. Explore Africa from a different perspective working with both domestic and wild animals.



    Typical day

    During your trip, you will carry out the following activities. Our trip is always subject to slight change, and alterations in the plan may alter a little depending on which animals are most in need of care and attention.


    • Deworming elephants with drinkable medicine

    • Vaccinating lions

    • Bandaging and ...

    Typical day

    During your trip, you will carry out the following activities. Our trip is always subject to slight change, and alterations in the plan may alter a little depending on which animals are most in need of care and attention.


    • Deworming elephants with drinkable medicine

    • Vaccinating lions

    • Bandaging and treating horses

    • Lameness assessment in horses

    • Pregnancy diagnosing and dipping cows

    • Supporting the local dog shelter

    • Visiting different veterinary clinics

    • Visiting the local vet school

    • Supporting conservation and animal welfare in Zimbabwe


    The trip either starts in Harare and crosses west to finish in Bulawayo, or starts in Bulawayo and crosses East to finish in Harare. Regardless of which way to take the trip, our visits will be to the same places and the work, teaching, and activities will always be relevant, fun and support the local community and conservation. Below is an example of the Harare to Bulawayo directional trip. 


    DAY 1 - arrive at the airport together. Head to our lively social hotel and enjoy some time getting to know your team, swim in the pool and head out to our first dinner together.


    DAY 2 - Visit a local charity vet clinic and learn how animals are prepared for surgery, how medicines are administered and spend time with the rescued dogs treating them for ticks and deworming them.


    DAY 3 - Visit the University of Zimbabwe to see how students in Africa undertake their education.


    DAY 4 - Visit a local animal shelter in the morning to learn how dogs and cats are rescued and develop an understanding of shelter medicine. In the afternoon we visit a wildlife rescue centre to meet the elephants, giraffes, zebra, monkeys and more and take notes on how rehabilitation in action is saving animals in Africa.


    DAY 5 - Drive west to a wildlife rescue center. Lunch on arrival. Take the endangered pangolin for a walk and a conservation talk. Help clean cages and feed the young animals, before "bedding them down" for the night.


    DAY 6 - Assist in sanctuary morning work. After lunch set off to a large wildlife reserve, and enjoy a sunset drink on the deck overlooking the river and a night round the fire under the stars.


    DAY 7 - Morning spent at the local SPCA dog shelter. Meet the residing vet and observe castrations and other vet work. Return to the reserve for lunch and in the afternoon meet the rehabilitated elephants, walking beside them in the wild.


    DAY 8 - Early morning bush walk before breakfast to spot zebra, giraffe, and impala. Revisit the elephants to deworm them with oral medication. After breakfast visit the horse stables to help with care including bandaging, lameness and lunging practice, and nutrition talk. Afternoon to participate in extra activities like horse ride or game drives.


    DAY 9 - Visit the resident captive lions who are well cared for and not used for breeding or exploitation. Help spray parasite prevention on them through the cage and feed them meat with deworming tablets.  Afternoon off to relax.


    DAY 10 - Morning travel to our next farm based in a wildlife reserve. Deworming horses, talk on parasites and equine breeding. 3pm prepare and set up camera traps. Late afternoon game drive and on the way back we search for hyenas and leopards. Dinner followed by a bonfire.


    DAY 11 - Morning spent injecting, deworming, and treating cattle. Learn about the cattle breeding program. An afternoon spent on the chicken farm with lessons on avian care and medicine. Early afternoon bush walk and learning how to track wildlife then collect cameras from the night before and look for the presence of carnivores.


    DAY 12 - Move on to a new animal rescue centre that specialises in primates. Meet the monkeys, learn about their nutrition, then prepare food and behavioral enrichment.


    DAY 13 - Take the rehabilitating baboons for a walk in their natural environment, learn about the best ways to rehabilitate different species, and the role of biologists and vets.


    DAY 14 - A fond farewell as you head to the airport for your departure.


    Free-time activities

    As this is a two- week traveling course the itinerary is jam-packed to ensure you make the most out of your time with us! Throughout the trip there will be scheduled free time where you can choose to relax or take advantage of the beautiful private game reserve we will be located in during this part ...

    Free-time activities

    As this is a two- week traveling course the itinerary is jam-packed to ensure you make the most out of your time with us! Throughout the trip there will be scheduled free time where you can choose to relax or take advantage of the beautiful private game reserve we will be located in during this part of the trip. Optional activities such as horse rides, game drives, swimming at the pool and so much more will be available!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Worldwide Vets

    Want to know what’s included? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your:


    • Pre departure assistance with planning

    • and flights from one of our destination

    • specialists

    • Transfers to and from the airport

    • Project coordinator with you the ground 24/7

    • Veterinary and conservation teaching 

    • 3 meals a day

    • Shared accommodation

    • all transport around Zimbabwe


    Our Prices Exclude:


    • Flights to/from Zimbabwe

    • Personal medical insurance

    • Visa

    Airport Pickup at Harare International Airport

    You will fly in to Harare or Bulawayo airport by 12 noon on your first day and have a flight departing Harare or Bulawayo no earlier than 10 am on your last day. 



    Accommodation

    The nomadic style of our trip will allow you to experience 5 different locations including animal sanctuaries, private wildlife reserves, and private concessions. In Harare, our hotel is in a safe area of the city, close to the shops, markets, and some great restaurants, so you will get a true feel of life in Zimbabwe as a local and enjoy the lush gardens and swimming pool in your free time. As we head across the country we dive deeper into the wild, staying in lodges that are situated in the middle of game reserves. There are no dangerous wild animals roaming in the areas we stay, so you can explore and relax, enjoy a drink on the raised deck overlooking the river, admire the night stars sat around a fire, or stay up to listen to the call of nocturnal animals. In Bulawayo, you will stay on-site at an animal rescue center with the orphaned animal nursery just a few meters away from your rooms. The farms where we work are welcoming and will immerse you in the real experience of vetting and animal management in Africa. Each location will have shared rooms, hot and cold running water, good bathrooms, and nice common areas where we enjoy home-cooked meals, bonfire evenings, and good vibes!

    Food & Beverages

    3 meals a day will be provided within the project fee.

    At each location tea, coffee, water, and cordials will be available. Any soft drinks or alcoholic beverages as well as additional snacks is not covered within the project fee. There will be opportunities throughout the trip to stock up on these.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Zimbabwe provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Zimbabwe you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zimbabwe. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    23 September- 6 October 2023 (Bulawayo to Harare route)

    2nd June - 15th June 2024 (Harare to Bulawayo route)

    17th June - 30th June 2024 (Bulawayo to Harare route)

    6th July - 19th July 2024 (Harare to Bulawayo route)

    21st July - 3rd August 2024 (Bulawayo to Harare route)

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks 2,900€
    Average fees 1,450€/week

    Program fees

    1,450€ per week 2 - 2 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 2 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Worldwide Vets during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Worldwide Vets

    Excellent 4.8 rating (42 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2006

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Below average response rate

    Coordinated by

    Gemma

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Our goal is to improve animal welfare worldwide by providing volunteers to help vets and vet nurses working with wildlife and domestic animals.

    Meet your organization

    As an organisation, our goal is simple. Improve animal welfare around the world. Anyone can volunteer with us, you do not need to be a vet or vet student, although many of our courses are very popular with such applicants. 

    We offer a multi-modal approach to assisting animals, including:

    • Running volunteer opportunities for you to help or study abroad.
    • Sponsoring vets to visit areas needing support.
    • Providing medications and surgical equipment
    • Training local vets and technicians.

    By volunteering with us you will gain hands on experience with animals, learn new skills and give something back. For those considering a career in medicine or nursing, this is a great way to understand more about the career path and see if it is right for you. It provides industry relevant experience and is a wonderful addition to your CV, making you stand out when you apply to your chosen college or university. Those already studying animal and medical courses can gain credits and count their trip as work experience (including EMS or CEMS). Most importantly you can learn a huge range of new concepts and develop your skills and confidence in a friendly and encouraging environment.


    Worldwide Vets is registered in the UK, with our administrative head office close to London, England. The real hub of our work is much further away, with vet clinics and conservation projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Ghana, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Peru, and Costa Rica, to name just a few. We welcome volunteers to join our mission and contribute to the role we play. Doing so is a great way to give something back to the world around you, saving innocent lives, alleviating poverty and playing your part in sustaining the natural and cultural planet we know today.  

     

     


     

     

    42 reviews · rating4.8

    Charlie Wijnbergen rating5

    2024 at Equine Vet Assistant

    Very rewarding experience. Jill has set up an amazing place, doing so much good for any animal coming through the gates. ...
    Cinzia Benevelli rating4.8

    2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

    Wonderful time, everything well organized, I loved everything, especially the animals. The Sanctuary is top organized as per activities and giving tasks. There is an ambience of peace and ...
    Stephanie Fisher rating4.8

    2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

    This trip was more than I ever anticipated. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to be able to do before I left, but the entire experience was very hands on. The vet was very trusting in our abilities and let us do things based on our comfort zones and taught us to do new things. I got to ...
    Kaela Dempsey rating2.6

    2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

    I will start by saying that my best friend and I have looked over all of their projects thoroughly before finally deciding on one - Peru. We booked our project almost 18 months in advance, and we made so many preparations for our stay. Now, WWV has been amazing and supportive throughout this whole ...
    Kassidy Doherty rating5

    2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

    I went to Costa Rica and it was amazing! Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary made me feel safe and Dr. Mora (the vet that lives on site) taught me many things in my stay! He is a talented veterinarian and knows what he is doing. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I believe this ...
    Alice rating5

    2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

    I have just returned from the Wildlife Internship in Costa Rica. I had the best 2 weeks ever! Everyone was incredible welcoming and supportive. The team's passion for animals was obvious and made the work even more meaningful. The internship was incredibly hands on and greatly helped me improve on ...

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