Program Reviews

If you are considering this course as part of your studies, just book it.

I have had the time of my life out in South Africa, working with some beautiful animals, and more importantly, some amazing people. The course is incredibly hands-on from day 1 - the combination of this and lectures really proved a great way to learn.
I did this at the end of my third year and found the level of clinical work within my abilities (with some guidance of course!), and there were others who were in lower years who felt the same.

I went out to South Africa thinking that it would be a lovely 2 weeks, but I didn't see myself as a wildlife vet. I thought I was quite keyed up on the conservation out there, but after visiting and learning about the poaching crisis and more, I really didn't have an accurate view of the situation. I have come away believing that I can (& I now want to be!) a wildlife vet, and I feel that I have the knowledge now to educate other people about the sad reality that the African wildlife are facing. I couldn't recommend this experience more- I truly had the time of my life out there.

This was my first solo trip to South Africa and it was honestly the best experience! The course was incredible, no photos or words can do it justice; you learn so much so quickly, and all the staff are so helpful and friendly. I had only just finished 2nd year at vet school so I didn't have much practical experience, but that did not hold me back because the procedures on the animals are brand new to almost everyone so you are all in the same boat! I cannot recommend this course highly enough and I will be sure to return to this incredible game reserve one day, the work they do is phenomenal!

A fantastic experience and one which I'll never forget. I loved every second of it. Worldwide Experience were so helpful in making the trip run as smoothly as possible and if a problem did arise it was dealt with in a quick and professional manner. Both N/a'an ku sê and Neuras (Wine and Wildlife Estate) were great in making me feel very welcome and at home. I would definitely visit both of them again and would also use Worldwide Experience again.

Vets Go Wild was the best thing I could’ve done for any summer internship/experience. I absolutely have no words to tell people just all the things I got to do, to see, and to learn! When they say that it will be hands-on, it really was hands-on experience every single day and moment! I've learned so much about African wildlife in such a short period of time, it's crazy to know it was only 16 days! Dr. Fowlds and the rest of his team are absolutely fantastic! I loved working with everyone and just seeing their motivation to help protect and serve African wildlife species. As a vet student, the experience allowed me to be more confident with my skills and tested my strength in working under pressure at times. I would recommend anyone interested in wildlife and conservation to sign up and go!

Vets Go Wild was the best thing I could’ve done this summer! It’s so hands on and I've learnt so much in such a short period of time! As a vet student it puts you to the test and allows you to become so much more confident in your abilities. Working along side vets at the top of their profession provides an amazing insight into the world of wildlife medicine. Each group of students is so diverse and a mixture of abilities but by the end of the trip we work as one. I’ve made friends for life all over the world and I wish I could go back and do it all over again!

I have always been one of those people who dreamed of working with African wildlife from the time I was a small child. To actually be giving an intravenous injection to a black rhinoceros or restraining a giraffe was something I could have never imagined I would get the chance to do. My experience with Worldwide Experience was unforgettable. I learned so much about the behavior, physiology, and complications of capture of wildlife. Working with Dr. Fowlds was incredible. He is so patient and calming even when he's pushing you to move faster. I really liked that we started in larger groups with lots of coaching from Dr. Fowlds for the first few immobilization before we were split into small groups and given the opportunity to think through the procedure ourselves. We had to learn what to look for in a TPR that indicated a problem was arising and what to do about it in that moment. I learned just as much from that hands on experience as I did from the lectures. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to listened to Dr. Fowlds's stories and lectures about his experiences with rhino poaching survivors and anti-poaching efforts. The rangers and volunteers were kind and extremely helpful. I learned just as much about the animals from the rangers as I did from Dr. Fowlds. Even the lodge staff made the experience memorable.

The Nakavango project in Victoria falls was amazing. I had a fantastic time and it is run by incredibly kind, thoughtful and fun people. Incomparably hands on and a plethora of wildlife unique to Zimbabwe.
I had such a good time and I will definitely be going back again, I cannot wait!

My stay at Nakavango was a amazing experience for me, the service that the staff provided was outstanding, the quality of food that was served was immaculate.
I also learnt a lot of information from the guides and staff about Zimbabwe and Africa which I took home with me to the UK, and have told all my friends and family about the camp Nakavango and plan on returning. Everything at camp Nakavango was of the highest quality, the manager Brenda Lightbody was wonderful and always on the ball, making sure her students felt comfortable was her main priority. I felt very safe around the head student co-ordinator husband Peter Lightbody, I always felt my health and safety was of main priority.
Although my stay at camp Nakavango was none the less an amazing experience, the programme which I was involved with was very mixed up. I didn't actually do much conservation, on my first day i was told the programme was 70% conservation and 30% children in the wilderness, when actually I felt it was 30% conservation and 70% children in the wilderness. I would suggest that the programme be more specified to the volunteers requirement, as the most enjoyable times I had in the programme was camping, bird habituation, alien plant removal and aiding Derri ( the local botanist) with his tree planting. Generally spending time in the bush I really loved alot!.
The children in the wilderness is a really great programme which teaches the children at a young age so they grow up with more knowledge of the environment and the affects on the environment. I felt The conservation programme I got involved with was greatly over-shadowed by this. Working with the children should be a separate programme, so it can gain more focus.
From the programme description on the Worldwide Experience website, I was under the impression I would be doing a lot more hands on work and aiding the team with possible research. On my I trip I would of liked to of gained more experience and knowledge on conservation, as that is what I am driving my career towards.
though that being said, my time was incredible, the things I've listed are things which would of made my experience just that little bit more amazing, i hope this review is taken as constructive criticism.

Very good programme and very varied with lots of wildlife and community work. Highlights included visiting Victoria Falls and learning tracking skills. Difficulties were getting an entry visa but this was easier than I first thought.

If you would like to experience and have hands on encounters with African wildlife in their natural habitat, Be apart of social development programs that change lives and have adrenalin rushes like no place else - Nakavango offers it all!

Working alongside the highly skilled staff and living on the reserve, Nakavango soon felt like home. The highlights of my trip were:
My close encounter with Shungu, the black rhino
Rafting the mighty Zambezi river
Witnessing one of the 7 natural wonders of the world - the Victoria Falls.