BROTHERS SAFARIS WILDLIFE IMMOBILISATION AND CONSERVATION COURSE

Day 1 

Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

(Note: Flights to Johannesburg and all domestic flights are for your own arrangement, but please note that Brothers Safaris can assist with quotes and booking of these if required. We can also assist with any other travel arrangements before or after your course, throughout Africa.)

On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, after collecting luggage and clearing customs, check in at Domestic Departures (Terminal B) for your flight to Richards Bay Airport.

Please do not forget to exchange or draw money at the Airport, if time permits, otherwise at Richards Bay airport after your arrival there.

You can pay for any extras at the lodges/hotel by credit card, so we recommend not drawing excessive cash. This is mostly for personal items along the way and staff gratuities and you can draw cash again on day 2-4 in St Lucia town, but you can only exchange foreign currency at the airport in Johannesburg.

On arrival at Richards Bay Airport, you will be met by a representative of Brothers Safaris and transferred to Umlilo Lodge, St Lucia – drive time approximately an hour and 15 minutes.

On arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed by your hosts and have time to settle you into your rooms.

Enjoy a light lunch pending arrival time, after which you will have time to freshen up and relax.

Late afternoon you will head to one of the largest estuaries in Africa for a boat cruise.  Embark on a 2 hour cruise in search of Nile crocodiles and hippos.

It is estimated that 800 hippos and 1200 Nile crocodiles reside in the area. The estuarine system, 85km from top to bottom and 25km wide at its widest, is regarded as the largest estuarine system in Africa. With an incredible abundance of Birdlife year-round you are assured of some magnificent sightings and photographic opportunities.

After the cruise you return to your lodge. Here Dr Alice Blue & Dr Peter Brothers will present a brief course overview and allow students some time to get to know each other better.

After a traditional dinner, enjoy a good night’s rest.

Your stay for the next 3 nights is on a twin sharing basis (2 students to a room), full board plus activities (accommodation, meals except where indicated for own expense & activities). All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 2

After breakfast at 05h45, you depart the lodge at 06h30 sharp and enter the After an early breakfast you set off for an incredible snorkelling safari in Cape Vidal! You will be accompanied by a local guide and African Vet Safaris wildlife vet as you spend the day not only exploring the terrestrial animals but also the magical world of the Indian Ocean.

From St Lucia to Cape Vidal several loop roads lead to excellent natural features for bird-watching, game viewing and scenic lookout points. The Eastern Shores section hosts elephant, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, hippo, hyaena, leopard – and many species of smaller game.

Guided snorkelling tours are provided with specialized snorkelling guides ensuring you get to enjoy every moment in the water. On average we see about 50 different fish species. Sightings can include moonies, blacktail, tropical halfbeak, damsel, convict surgeons, rubber lips, rockod, indian and rosy goatfish, karanteen, sand steenbras, lemonfish, rectangular triggerfish, butterflyfish, Moorish idol and semisircle angelfish. On lucky days you may also get to see green turtles, marbled electric rays, spotted eagle rays, octopus and honeycomb moray eels.

Enjoy a hot coffee before or after your snorkelling and then head into the park looking for the elusive leopard and elephant. Finally, enjoy a barbeque (braai) lunch before being dropped back off at your accommodation.

Truly the best way to enjoy your time in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the ideal beach and safari destination! The Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.

The 332, 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25, 000 year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. Cape Vidal “resort” is situated in a marine reserve yet only a short drive away from game areas. Marine life includes humpback whales, dolphins, rare turtles, whale sharks, marlin and sailfish.

After an early dinner at the lodge you head back into the park on a night drive in search of those elusive nocturnal species…..After roughly 3 hours, return to your lodge for a good night’s sleep after the day’s excitement.

Day 3 

This morning will be a very early start as you depart for the Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park where you will enjoy a full day excursion, game viewing and learning about Africa’s wildlife!

You will travel into the park in open game viewing vehicles (2), accompanied by local guides.

The average travel time in the park is slow, stopping to enjoy animals and birds on route. Arriving at the bomas around 10am, we’ll enjoy a talk on the veterinary role in the park’s conservation and management efforts, before exploring the museum and wildlife holding bomas.

You will be shown around the bomas, explaining the design, use and the reason for any animals you might see in the boma. Pay particular attention to design which needs to be practical and safe for animals and people.

After the boma tour we’ll break for lunch and a look around the local craft market (remember your cash….) before heading out again – time to explore the Imfolozi area and find some of those elusive predators…… the lion in this area often climb trees, making the task easier sometimes….

After another busy day you’ll arrive back at your lodge early evening. After freshening up, dinner is in town today at one of the quaint restaurants – for your own expense.

Formerly known as the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve now the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, the park is claimed to be the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, officially opened in 1895. The Park is 97 000 hectares in extent and consists of two distinct areas namely northern Hluhluwe section and the southern iMfolozi section. (970 square kilometers, roughly the same size as Netherlands Antilles while Hong Kong is 1104 square kilometers in size).

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the only state run park in Kwazulu Natal province that is home to the African Big 5. The Park is world renowned for its conservation efforts and history. The Umfolozi was previously used as the Zulu King’s (King Shaka) private hunting grounds. The conservation efforts have contributed to this park having the largest population of White Rhino in the world.

Once in the Park which is home to 86 species including the African Big 5, there is ample opportunity to sight a variety of game species and birds.

Species include Black & White Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Nyala antelope, Nile Crocodile, Hippo, Giraffe, African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Kudu, Impala, Bushpig, common Warthog, Hyena, Water Buck, Duiker, Blue Wildebeest, Jackal and much more.

The park is incredible should you be an avid birder with up to 340 species found within the area.

The Hluhluwe section is in the region of 40 000 hectares and is home to the highest concentration of Rhino in Africa while the Imfolozi offers a better chance of seeing Lion, especially on the Sontuli Loop road. Both areas boast breath-taking views from some of the higher areas.

Day 4 

After breakfast you head off to the nearby meeting point for a whale and dolphin watching boat trip!

Whale watching in St Lucia is a magical 2 hour tour taking you as close as 50 meters from the giants of the deep! Humpback whales are the most commonly spotted, but Minky’s, Right and Sperm whales are also seen.

Whale watching at St Lucia begins with a high energy surf launch which requires decent “holding on strength”….

You’ll be gone for roughly 3 hours, of which 2 hours are boat based. The whales migrate past this stretch of coastline between the months of mid-May to mid-December annually, to calf and breed in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, moving as far as Mozambique and Madagascar before making the journey back to the Antarctic.

If you are fortunate you may witness a 40 ton acrobatic Humpback whale breaching a mere 50 meters away from the boat! You may also see a variety of pelagic bird life, dolphins frolicking alongside the bow of the boat, sea turtles in season, shark, marlin, whale shark and other interesting marine mammals and cetaceans – these sightings are a bonus, we will not necessarily see this on each tour, but we guarantee between the 1st of June and end of November, you will see a Humpback whale.

Be sure to take note of the many expert tips for the day and if you are prone to sea-sickness and prefer to stay in terra firma, this is of course no problem.

After the exhilaration of the boat excursion and learning more about marine conservation, you check out late morning and say farewell to your hosts. The next adventure awaits…..

Drive to the game lodge you’ll be based in for the next four nights, near the town of Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu Natal province – approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.

On arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed by your hosts who will give you a brief orientation in camp and settle you into your rooms.

After a light meal/lunch, head out on a late afternoon game drive in an open game-viewing vehicle, with your local guide and African Vet Safaris wildlife vet. Another chance to see Africa’s wildlife in its natural habitat and get those photos of a lifetime!

Back at camp you’ll have some time to freshen up before enjoying a delicious dinner and time around the camp fire with your hosts.

This Game Lodge is located in the heart of Zululand just outside Hluhluwe, Kwa-Zulu Natal. The lodge is situated on roughly 3000 acres of land and has a large variety of plains game species on the property including giraffe, sable, kudu, zebra, nyala, wildebeest, impala and reedbuck.

Warthog, ostrich, jackal, mongoose, porcupine, aardvark and genet have also been spotted here and guests with a keen eye may even spot the elusive leopard, aardvark or hyena.

The main lodge has a wrap around verandah furnished with comfortable seating areas which overlook grass lawns and a sparkling swimming pool. The entertainment area includes a well- stocked bar, a TV snug, braai boma, fire pit, dining room and a spacious library lounge. Guests are encouraged make themselves at home and enjoy the beautiful space.

Delicious meals are prepared in the Lodge kitchen and served al fresco or in the cozy dining room while drinks are available from the bar. Our friendly staff will feed you, water you and see to any needs you may have.

The six tastefully decorated, en-suite chalets nestle in the bush and are linked to the main lodge by walk- ways ensuring our guests privacy and at the same time, convenient proximity to the facilities at the main lodge.

Wifi and a coffee station ensure our guests can enjoy home comforts from their private patio whilst enjoying the peace that can only be found in these tranquil surroundings.

Your stay for the next 4 nights is on a twin sharing basis (2 students to a chalet), full board plus activities (accommodation, meals & activities).

All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 5 

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, its time for the academic part of the program to start with some introductory lectures from around 10h00.

The introductory lectures will be delivered by Dr Peter Brothers and aim to put wildlife into a veterinary perspective:

• “An introduction to the wildlife of Southern Africa – a vet’s perspective”
• “The principals of Wildlife Capture & Physical restraint” “So what do wildlife vets do in SA”
• “Surviving your job as a wildlife vet”

We’ll have comfort breaks in-between lectures before breaking for lunch at around 13h00.

Late afternoon you’ll head out on another game drive – every drive is different and offers you the chance to see a new species or witness new behaviour! Or just stay at the lodge and enjoy some peace and quiet….

Return after sundowners to enjoy some leisure time before dinner at 19h00.

Day 6

After breakfast at 07h00, it’s a long day of lectures ahead, starting at 08h00….

Today’s lectures and most of those tomorrow will be presented by Dr Peter Buss, who you would have met the day before.

Dr Buss is head wildlife veterinarian in the Kruger National Park, for South African National Parks. Dr Buss is an ex-zoo vet and ex faculty of Veterinary Science Pharmacology Department staff member. He has a natural talent for translating his vast practical experience into an easy-to-understand lecture that is interesting and informative. He has recently completed his PhD.

These lectures are crucial to understanding wildlife immobilisation and will focus on the following:

• The applied physiology and pharmacology of wildlife immobilisation
• Species specific considerations for immobilisation – drugs and techniques

You will break during the lectures for tea breaks, and lunch at 13h00. Enjoy dinner at the lodge at 19h00, followed by leisure time.

Day 7 

Enjoy breakfast at 07h00, followed by any unfinished lectures. Today’s lectures are presented by Dr Peter Buss & Dr Peter Brothers and will cover the remainder of the above topics not yet completed.

You will break during the lectures for tea breaks, and lunch at 13h00.

Any unfinished topics or lectures will be finished in the afternoon, but if done then the afternoon will be at leisure – a chance to enjoy your surroundings and available activities, or we’ll have the talk and practical session focussing on dart gun systems and darts.

Late afternoon there is another opportunity to enjoy a late afternoon game drive.

Dinner is served at 19h00.

After packing in preparation for tomorrow’s departure, enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Day 8

Enjoy breakfast at 07h30, before checking out.

At 08h30 we depart to our next venue – a drive of roughly 5 hours.

Check in, enjoy lunch and some leisure time before heading out late afternoon on another game drive to explore this new reserve and its wildlife. Being a Big 5 reserve, this is a chance to search for those elusive species not yet seen….

Return to the lodge after sundowners to discuss the practical veterinary procedures to be done tomorrow. This preparation will cover topics such as safety, the actual procedures and student roles, equipment, accurate record keeping, punctuality, etc.

For example, EVERY patient worked with during the course should have a patient monitoring sheet completed. This should be clear and legible and your comments/observations relevant. This is also crucial for legal record keeping on medicines, etc. These are then used after the procedures for discussion with your course veterinarians.

Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure in anticipation of the practical work starting tomorrow….

Dinner will be served at around 19h00.

This Private Game Reserve is set in KwaZulu-Natal on 23 000 magnificent acres near the town of Ladysmith. The reserve is also close to the renowned

KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, a major attraction of this region. Another major drawcard is that the reserve is situated in a malaria-free area.

This reserve boasts the attractions of the Big 5 and its biodiversity (it encompasses grasslands, riverine bush, savannah and thornveld) ensures a thrilling and unprecedented diversity of game (there are 40 other game species) and is a birders paradise.

The abundant natural water system, with perennial rivers and the beautiful waterfall and cascades on the Sundays River, makes for a unique sanctuary, attracting several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures.

Your lodge epitomises the perfect safari experience with beautifully appointed tented suites, service excellence, superb cuisine and prolific wildlife – ensuring an unforgettable experience.

All tents are air conditioned – keeping you cool in the hot summer months and warm in the chilly winter months with the addition of electric blankets to keep guests extra snug. Tents have an open plan bathroom with a double basin, indoor bath tub with hand shower and a private open air outdoor shower.

Your stay for the next 3 nights is on a twin sharing basis (2 students to a tent), full board plus activities (accommodation, meals & activities). All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 9 

It’s another early start today! Enjoy breakfast before heading to the rendezvous point for final preparations and safety briefings.

Today the plan is to work with three rhinos which need various management procedures performed. Work needs to start early to avoid the heat of the day, but it takes time to find the right animals in a reserve this size and in the thick bush….!

Each immobilisation offers course delegates the opportunity to get hands on assisting with patient monitoring, treatments and other necessary procedures.

The work you participate in forms part of ongoing reserve management and is thus dictated by their needs.

The moment of truth arrives when your African Vet Safari vet darts the rhino

from the helicopter… Once the rhino is safely immobilised, you will have the experience of your life while assisting with the various procedures – ear notching for positive identification and management reasons, blood sampling for DNA to help combat poaching, collaring, potentially de-horning, etc. - all the while monitoring the health status of the patient.

All being well, there will be plenty of photo opportunities as you get hands-on with one of Africa’s most endangered species….

Once the procedures are done, you’ll retreat to the safety of the nearby vehicle while the rhino recovers and walks off into the bush, often a little disgruntled!

This is the time to put theory into practice and hone essential skills. Delegates are expected to rotate duties in order to get everyone involved and give everyone an equal opportunity during the course.
Once all the procedures are done for the day, you return to the lodge to savour the day’s experiences and have a delicious lunch, or enjoy a packed lunch in the bush, depending on how many veterinary procedures are done today (note that some meals may in the form of a packed meal in the field, to facilitate the veterinary procedures).

After lunch, there will be a discussion on the mornings work, and another talk in preparation for the next adventure - a lion immobilisation! Predator immobilisation is very different from herbivores and so there will be lots of new information today.

In the unlikely event that there is no necessary lion work, or something unexpected happens, we will attempt to work with one of the other predators on the reserve, several of whom have tracking collars for management reasons and these need to be replaced periodically when the batteries run out. Pending the plans, the predator immobilisation procedure might take place tonight if your intended patient is shy during daylight hours….

Time permitting there will be an evening game drive, using telemetry tracking to try determine our patient’s location if any were collared. Enjoy sundowners in the bush at the end of another exciting day in Africa.

Return to the lodge after dark for dinner and a good night’s rest after a busy and exciting day.

Day 10 

Depending on the planned predator procedure and if you have had any success yet, today’s program will be flexible.

If the plan is unchanged and the aim is still to work with lion, this will probably take place during the morning since these animals are fairly habituated to game drive vehicles and provided they are in an accessible area, one hopes to have success!! Despite this behaviour you may need to set up a “bait station” with tour African Vet Safaris vet and use some animal calls to lure them in….

These massive beasts are truly impressive and their size and obvious strength will make the hair on your neck stand up, especially when you get hands-on!

After the immobilisation, procedure and photos, it’s important to observe the patient’s recovery to ensure he/she can fend for himself before you depart and return to the lodge, or enjoy a packed lunch in the field.

Enjoy leisure time back at the lodge to let the activities of the last few days sink in, and discuss the day’s procedure.

After lunch you head out again late afternoon to enjoy the African sunset and sundowners for the final time on this reserve. Always a special moment to savour….

Arriving back after dark, freshen up back at the lodge before dinner. Enjoy the fireside chat after dinner.

Day 11 

Breakfast will be served at 06h30 and then it’s time to check out at 07H15 – it’s a very long day in the bus…. 650 km and roughly 8 hours driving…. But it will be worth it! Mattanu Game Reserve is situated to the north west of the diamond digging city of Kimberley.

Enjoy a packed lunch along the way, although there will also be snacks and drinks available to purchase at your pit stops.

After a brief welcome and orientation, check in to your accommodation.

Early evening our hosts will present a short talk on their reserve and ranching activities to put things into perspective for the next few days.

Enjoy dinner at around 19h30.

This Game Reserve began in 1991 when the owner, Dr JC Kriek, originally from Zimbabwe, imported 95 endangered roan antelope and 65 rare sable antelope species into South-Africa from Malawi. This is regarded by many as the most successful game capturing and importation operation ever.

Dr JC Kriek is regarded by many as the pioneer for the breeding of endangered antelope industry in Southern Africa. Ever since then more than 300 roan, sable and disease free buffalo have been bred at Mattanu.

Dr Kriek also wrote the protocol for the breeding of disease free buffalo and fittingly was the first private game rancher to receive permission for the breeding of these buffalo.

The profit from the Malawi operation was used to purchase Mattanu Private Game Reserve, which was then a cattle farm, in 1990 and since then many millions have been spent in the development of the infrastructure and the re- introduction of numerous species. The reserve is not a “Big Five” reserve but there are over 36 different animal species and approximately 700 animals on Mattanu.

The breeding of endangered and rare antelope species is the main industry at Mattanu, along with game capture and immobilization by Dr JC Kriek, veterinarian and helicopter pilot, and his son Johann Kriek, commercial helicopter pilot.

Your accommodation at Mattanu is in one of the various different styles of accommodation on a sharing basis (two students to a room). In the odd case it might be necessary to create a triple room to accommodate male/female combinations of students or uneven numbers, and in this case students will be placed accordingly. During your stay, there will always be staff on the premises should you need any assistance.

Nestled in the shade of indigenous Camelthorn trees over 100 meters of tiled pathway leads you from the lodge to the various accommodation units.

Students will occupy five luxury safari tents, each with a private viewing deck overlooking a waterhole, decorated in African design, complete with luxury sleeper wood furnishings, full bathroom en-suite, indoor showers and air- conditioning with under floor heating; the two bedroom thatched roof suite comprising of a loft main bedroom opening onto a private deck, lounge, bar and 2 bathrooms (accentuated with teak wooden finishes, fire place and air conditioning); and the luxury log cabin which can accommodate 4 adults, in two bedrooms, both en-suite with corner bath and shower, and opens up onto a wooden veranda with a view of the waterhole.

A rock waterfall featured swimming pool will serve as a welcome relaxation on your return from a hot day in the Kalahari bush.

Your stay for the next 6 nights is on a full board basis (accommodation and daily meals) including tea, coffee and juice with meals. All other drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 12

After early coffee and rusks/muffins, it’s time to head out onto the game reserve for an early morning game drive and join staff on feeding rounds of valuable species on the reserve. Learn about species not yet seen and observe some management practices en-route.

We will also start with some antelope immobilisation procedures today – most likely young sable and roan bulls that need to be removed from the herd before the adult bull pushes them out, potentially killing them.

Nearer the time we will know what species and procedures will be involved, but we endeavour to expose students to as many species and different procedures as possible during the course.

However, please note that work is part of the reserve’s ongoing management needs and those of their clients, and species cannot be guaranteed. No immobilisation is ever the same and so even working with the same species on more than one occasion will offer valuable learning experiences.

Late morning/ after lunch there will be a more detailed lecture on the veterinary aspects of game ranch management – roan, sable, buffalo – by Dr Johann Kriek.

This is followed by a lecture on “Wildlife Ranching and hunting – the contribution to conservation” by Jacques kriek. Please review the two articles in your course notes before this presentation, which will provide some food for thought.

Enjoy some leisure time to review your notes in preparation for tomorrow’s immobilisation procedures and then enjoy a short game drive in the evening to enjoy sundowners.

Dinner is served back at the lodge at 19h00, before enjoying another good night’s rest.

Day 13 

Enjoy breakfast in the chilly winter air and then we head out to get hands-on again.

Today’s veterinary work is likely to again involve antelope immobilisation and relocation, and will be carried out on the reserve in all likelihood, or a nearby reserve.

Enjoy lunch back at the lodge at around 12h00, and then review the capture operation.

After lunch there’ll be a lecture on helicopter use and safety in wildlife work – Pilot Johann Kriek/ Dr Peter Brothers. This will give you an excellent idea of what is required when darting from the air, the do’s and do not’s.

This is followed by a practical helicopter session, on the reserve, darting a target with a paintball gun/similar from the helicopter. This will give you an excellent idea of what is required when darting from the air, and it’s fun!

Please note that this exercise carries a weight restriction for safety reasons. Anyone weighing more than 100kg should please speak to the responsible Veterinarian in private before this exercise.

Enjoy some down time back at the lodge after this adrenalin rush, before dinner at 19h00.

Day 14 

After breakfast we head to a rhino orphanage in the region.

Here we’ll have a private guided tour of the facility where you will see first hand and up close and personal what staff do at the orphanage and how the facility rescues, rehabilitates, rewilds, and releases rhino, to protect them.

We return to Mattanu for a late lunch.

South Africa is the centre of the rhino poaching crisis. Rhinos are being brutally murdered daily in National Parks, Provincial Parks and on private property to meet the demand for bogus medicines made from rhino horn. The illegal rhino horn trade catapulted the status of the White Rhino to ‘Near Threatened’ and the Black Rhino to ‘Critically Endangered’.

Many of these devastating poaching incidents leave behind young, defenceless, orphaned calves. As the effects of the escalating poaching crisis became evident, so too did the need for a highly specialised care facilities that support the conservation efforts to save this iconic, keystone species from extinction.

Please note that our visit is subject to confirmation based on any new arrivals at the orphanage, security threats, etc.

If we do not visit the orphanage then we will spend the day completing some of our other lectures, review plans for upcoming work and enjoy some leisure time.

Irrespective of our visit, we need to complete the following lectures in the afternoon:

• Wildlife diseases and One Health
• African conservation, which will also highlight the scourge of poaching in Africa
• Any outstanding topics / topics of specific interest, including the lecture on various dart gun systems and darts, and a practical session where students will be able to spend time loading darts with water and firing them at a target…..

Day 15 

After an early breakfast we drive to a predator sanctuary in the region where we spend the day. After a drive of approximately an hour, we’ll learn more abut the centre and the animals here on a guided tour.

We will then assist the centre with some of their veterinary procedures such as lion contraception to avoid unwanted births, or other necessary procedures.

We’ll take a packed lunch with us today and return to Mattanu late afternoon/when the work is done.

The centre started in 2010 when they first learned about canned hunting (the hunting of hand raised predator animals) and had the opportunity to immediately save FIVE lions from the hunting business. Since that time they have had several other opportunities to save lions. These big cats are now able to call the centre home, living in a natural habitat spanning several hectares.

Besides lions the centre is also home to cheetah, leopard, bat eared foxes, caracal, serval, primates and various other smaller animals.

All animals have custom built enclosures with areas to play and live in. The centre strives to make these homes as similar to each species natural habitat as possible.

Most of the animals taken in are too domesticated to survive on their own in the wild and thus cannot leave the centre. However, the centre has had the opportunity to release several animals in areas where they can live freely without human interaction.

At the centre they aim to educate the public on real and obtainable conservation of African wildlife. These efforts help to ensure these species survive in the future. By doing tours and school outings, the centre aims to change people’s mindsets about our big cats, helping to secure both the protection and survival of the various species on our farm.

Day 16 

Breakfast is at 07h00, followed by another veterinary excursion. Today’s veterinary work is likely to again involve antelope immobilisation, most likely a different species, and will be carried out on the reserve, or nearby.

Return to the lodge to review the capture operation and enjoy lunch at around 12h30.

This afternoon there will be a written exam on the course material as a means of self-evaluation – the exam is typically out of 100 marks and written over a maximum of 1.5 hours, and covers both theory and practical aspects covered on the course.

While all activities on the course are optional, course delegates are encouraged to participate in all of them, including the exam.

Enjoy a last game drive on Mattanu and sundowners in the bush – a chance to contemplate the many experiences you have had thus far…… Please be sure to pack tonight in preparation for an early departure tomorrow.

Day 17 

After an early breakfast we check out and head to our final destination – another game ranch in the region that amongst others, focusing on rhino conservation.

Drive time is approximately 2 hours. Check in on arrival and enjoy some introductory talks and lunch.

After lunch we head out onto the reserve on a game drive to witness first- hand the conservation activities and species here.

Back at the lodge we review plans for tomorrow and enjoy dinner.

The ranch spans 33 000 acres of land and is home to roughly 350 rhino! “Our ultimate goal is to witness a flourishing and safe rhino population, unshackled from the severe threat of extinction. We employ bold and unorthodox conservation strategies to protect the rhinos under our care as we are convinced this is our best shot at safeguarding their future. While it's a far cry from how they would live in the wild, free from human interference, it is their best chance in our current climate. Having gone seven years without a single poaching incident, our track record speaks for itself. Every activity here contributes to rhino conservation.”

Your accommodation will be in very comfortable renovated farm houses, on a twin share basis. Bathrooms here are shared in each farmhouse (6 students).

Your stay for the next 2 nights is on a full board basis (accommodation and daily meals) including tea, coffee and juice with meals. All other drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 18

Its another early start today as we plan to assist the reserve with some of its necessary veterinary procedures. After breakfast we head out.

As you know by now, work depends on the needs of the reserve and will be dictated by this but we plan to work with at least two rhino this morning and quite possibly some other species too.

Pending the work that needs doing there might be some free time in the afternoon for a last game drive and sundowners as this adventure draws to a close…

Enjoy dinner back at the lodge before packing to be ready for an early departure tomorrow.

Day 19 

Enjoy an early breakfast after which you check out and be ready to depart at for your transfer to Kimberley airport for your flights to Johannesburg International Airport in time for connecting flights home/to your next destination.

(Note: Flights for your own arrangement but Brothers Safaris can assist with these if needed, please contact us)