WEEK THREE (FINAL WEEK)

My final week in South Africa has been packed with some of the most hands-on, impactful experiences of the trip — ending this journey on an unforgettable high note.

We began by partnering with HALO CVC (Hoedspruit Animal Outreach) to provide basic veterinary care to animals in underserved rural communities. We spent the morning going door-to-door, vaccinating dogs against rabies and canine distemper, as well as deworming and treating them for fleas and ticks. It was an incredible experience to engage directly with local families, to see how they live and to help care for their animals. 

I especially enjoyed getting to know the local vet assistants. They were kind, skilled and passionate, and I feel lucky to have formed friendships with them that I know will last a long time. I left the day feeling proud to have been part of a community-centered initiative that not only promotes animal health and welfare, but also meets people where they are — taking compassionate care directly to their homes.

In just a few hours, we vaccinated about 30 dogs, and it was incredibly rewarding to be part of such a meaningful outreach effort. Providing vaccinations in these communities was not just important — it was essential. Rabies remains a significant threat in many parts of Africa, and dogs are the primary reservoir for transmission to humans. Vaccinating even a portion of the local dog population can dramatically reduce the risk of outbreaks, not just for animals but for people, too. 

We also vaccinated against canine distemper virus, a contagious and often deadly disease that affects not just domestic dogs but also wild carnivores like jackals, hyenas and even lions. Preventing the spread of distemper in domestic animals helps protect surrounding wildlife as well, which is especially important in a region where dogs and wild species often share borders. This kind of work sits at the heart of One Health — the principle that animal, human and environmental health are deeply interconnected.

That afternoon, we participated in an activity with Down to the Wire, an anti-poaching initiative that removes deadly wire traps set in the bush by poachers. These crude traps are made of repurposed materials like bicycle brake cables or fencing wire and are usually set along animal pathways. When triggered, they tighten around an animal’s neck, leg or body, often causing slow and agonizing injuries that can lead to death. Many animals suffer for days before succumbing to their wounds or being found — sometimes long after it’s too late. 

Down to the Wire’s team works to find and remove these snares before they cause harm. Even more powerfully, they transform the metal into jewelry, turning a symbol of pain into one of hope. It’s a powerful form of awareness and advocacy, and I was humbled to create my own piece, which I now wear proudly in support of anti-poaching efforts.

The next day, we visited the Green Trax Conservation K9 Unit, where we learned how trained dogs are used to combat poaching through tracking and detection. These dogs help locate poachers, find wildlife contraband and even detect ammunition and weapons. We participated in a field tracking exercise, which gave us firsthand experience of how powerful a dog’s sense of smell can be and how vital their role is in protecting wildlife. Seeing this level of coordination between human and animal teams was both inspiring and hopeful. 

Later that day, we took part in a darting lecture and practical session, where we learned the fundamentals of chemical immobilization — an essential technique in wildlife medicine. After practicing with dart guns on stationary targets, we had the thrilling opportunity to go up in a helicopter and try darting a moving target from the air. I’m proud to say I hit my mark! The experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the precision and training required to safely sedate wild animals in real-world conditions.

The following day, we worked alongside wildlife vets and game capture specialists in the Hoedspruit area. Since this field is so unpredictable, we didn’t know exactly what we’d encounter, but that made it all the more exciting. 

One of the highlights was assisting with a buffalo-breeding program designed to maintain a foot-and-mouth disease-free herd. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, sheep and buffalo. Infected animals suffer from fever, mouth and hoof blisters, lameness and decreased milk production. Though it rarely infects humans, it has devastating impacts on livestock productivity and trade, which is why FMD-free herds are so vital to agriculture and conservation in South Africa. 

To maintain FMD-free status, the buffalo herd must remain in closed conditions, with no animals entering or leaving the property without strict veterinary oversight. While assisting the vet team, we helped sedate, microchip, deworm and vaccinate several buffalo to ensure the health of both individual animals and the herd as a whole. It was intense, especially when a protective male buffalo charged our vehicle, but it also emphasized how vital this work is to disease control and wildlife health.

On our final day, we toured the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, where we shadowed the incredible team treating small- to medium-sized wildlife — everything from birds and reptiles to small mammals. Their mission is to rehabilitate and release animals that have been injured or displaced, often due to human activity. Seeing their work up close was inspiring. The dedication, the precision and the care are a reminder that every animal, no matter how small, deserves a fighting chance.

This journey has been enriching, eye-opening and truly transformative. It has challenged my assumptions, deepened my passion and broadened my understanding of what it means to be a veterinarian. I’ve come to see that real conservation goes beyond just caring for animals. It requires listening to people, understanding systems and advocating both ecological and social change.

I leave South Africa not only more knowledgeable but also more aware, more compassionate and more determined to make a difference. And as I wrap up this incredible experience, I’m filled with gratitude and excited for whatever comes next. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, inspired by everything I’ve learned here.

WEEK TWO

After our time in Pongola, we hit the road again to reach Kruger National Park, one of the most iconic wildlife reserves in Africa.

In Kruger, we had some incredible sightings — elephants, lions and buffalo were the big highlights. We also saw wildebeest, hyenas and more. We were hoping to see rhinos and leopards, but neither made an appearance. Leopards are famously elusive, and rhinos, tragically, have become extremely scarce due to decades of poaching.

One of the most impactful parts of this experience has been learning about the deeper, systemic issues driving poaching and wildlife decline. It’s not always about greed; often, it’s about poverty and survival. For many people in rural communities, a rhino isn’t a conservation symbol — it’s a potential source of income. When food, jobs  and basic security are out of reach, protecting endangered species becomes a distant concern. This perspective challenged me to think about conservation not just as a scientific or environmental effort, but as a social and economic one, too.

We also learned that rhino horns are made of keratin and can be trimmed safely by trained vets, a process known as dehorning. This surprised many of us — because it means that, in theory, horns could be harvested without harming the animal, creating a more ethical and sustainable source of income. But global trade bans, lack of funding and policy challenges mean this approach isn’t widely implemented. Still, it opened my eyes to the idea that conservation solutions have to work for both wildlife and people.

From Kruger, we made another long drive to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, nestled in the mountains. We’ll be here the longest — about 10 days — and it’s already been one of the most inspiring parts of the journey.

Our first few days were filled with lectures and hands-on workshops: reptile medicine, avian care and mammal health. We learned about animal safety and handling, biosecurity and hygiene, preventative medicine and common diseases, first aid, anesthesia and surgery, emergencies and medical techniques across species. We also got to practice physical exams (including one on a bearded dragon!) and observe real cases at the center’s on-site veterinary facility.

Moholoholo takes in animals that have been injured, poisoned or displaced due to negative human interactions. Some become too habituated to people to be safely released. It was humbling to see how the team here cares for each animal with compassion and long-term commitment, even when release isn’t possible.

Another powerful realization came when I learned that there are no truly “wild” large animals freely roaming across South Africa. Every reserve or park — whether government-owned like Kruger or private like Pongola — is fenced. These boundaries, though often necessary for management and disease control, have disrupted migration routes and confined wildlife to fragmented patches of land. It’s not the Africa I imagined, and it’s made me reconsider the idea of what “wild” truly means in today’s world.

Another topic we dove into was the impact of disease on wildlife movement. Today, we were supposed to assist with a giraffe relocation project from one reserve to another, but the move required approval due to foot-and-mouth disease control zones. South Africa enforces strict biosecurity policies to prevent outbreaks, so the giraffe couldn’t be moved without state clearance, which didn’t come in time. So we hiked to a waterfall, which turned out to be a beautiful way to decompress and reflect. 

Overall, this entire experience has challenged so many of my assumptions. I came here thinking conservation was just about protecting animals, but now I have a much broader understanding. It’s about people. It’s about politics. It’s about history and long-term sustainability.

These two weeks have been life-changing. I’ve learned so much — not just about veterinary medicine, but about the deep, complicated relationships between humans, animals and the environment. I feel incredibly grateful to be here and deeply inspired to keep learning, keep listening and find ways to be part of the solution. 

With one week left in South Africa, I’m looking forward to making the most of my remaining time here!

WEEK ONE

I’ve always dreamed of going to Africa, and so far this journey has felt like stepping into a dream that I never want to wake up from.

After a smooth first leg on my journey, I had a 12-hour layover in London. I decided to make the most of it — and I’m so glad I did. With just a backpack and some curiosity, I set off into the city and managed to squeeze in several iconic sights: Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey. I even treated myself to a classic British lunch of fish and chips at a cozy pub before making my way back to Heathrow to catch the long-haul flight to Johannesburg.

Once I landed in South Africa, I spent a night in a nearby hotel to rest up. The next morning, I met the rest of the group I’d be traveling with for the next leg of the journey. Our guide, Machiel, greeted us, and we loaded into a van to begin the seven-hour drive from Johannesburg across the South African countryside to our first destination: the White Elephant Research Camp Reserve in Pongola.

I’m here as part of the Live4now W!ld Vets program — a hands-on veterinary experience designed for students and professionals in the veterinary field. Over the course of the program, we’re learning about wildlife diseases, game capture, animal tracking, conservation medicine and even veterinary care in underserved communities. It’s an incredible opportunity not only to gain practical experience with both wild and domestic animals, but also to contribute to ongoing conservation efforts in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world.

On our first full day at White Elephant, we went on a game drive through the reserve. The thrill of spotting animals in their natural habitat was surreal. We saw impalas, giraffes and warthogs trotting through the brush. It felt like being inside a living documentary.

Later, we sat down with local conservationists to learn more about one of the pressing issues in the region: elephant-human conflict and the challenge of managing elephant populations responsibly. Hearing about the delicate balance between conservation and community needs gave us a deeper appreciation for the work being done here — and the complexity of protecting such intelligent, emotionally complex creatures.

Today was just as incredible. We woke up early for rhino tracking. Although we didn’t spot any rhinos, we did come across zebras, ostriches and buffalo — all while learning how to observe tracks and signs in the wild. In the afternoon, we practiced telemetry, using radio collars to learn how researchers locate and monitor animals out in the bush. It was a hands-on, completely fascinating experience that gave us a glimpse into what fieldwork is really like.

Tomorrow, we’ll be trading land for water as we head out on a river cruise to look for hippos and crocodiles. I’ve never seen either in the wild, so I’m excited to see what we find. After that, we’ll begin the journey toward Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most famous and biodiverse reserves. I absolutely cannot wait to see what’s next. 

More soon but, for now, just feeling incredibly grateful to be here.