Study Abroad Courses

Wildtrax Explorations has developed a multidisciplinary program that incorporates lessons from agricultural sciences, ecology, economy, sociology.  This diverse courses builds the foundation for understanding the role of ecology and wildlife management. Ecological and evolutionary principles are coupled with human dimensions to explain current strategies and techniques for managing natural and cultural resources.  Our curriculum focuses on learning the ecology of key species that comprise many Tanzanian ecosystems. can be managed to assist local communities while conserving biodiversity. You will grasp the importance of the socioeconomic and ecological variables that are essential to successful conservation efforts. 

Wildtrax Explorations organizes this course into two components: a Learning Safari and a Field Methods Training.  Both sections offer the experience necessary for molding students in conservation science.  The Learning Safari provides the foundation for understanding cultural differences, identifying conservation obstacles, learning wildlife identification, and getting familiar with rustic camping.  The Field Methods Training allows you to join an ongoing wildlife monitoring program.  You will learn field methods for collecting ecological information that is important for managing and conserving wildlife within the Serengeti ecosystem.

Throughout the course, you will have numerous opportunities to learn new skills while visiting some of the world’s most famous wildlife areas. Interacting with scientists and community leaders will reveal the actual situations of people who work and live in areas where conservation projects occur.    

Sights visited* include: 

• Tarangire National Park – Encounter huge herds of elephants & tree climbing lions
• Lake Eyasi – Experience new cultures while visiting hunter-gatherer communities 
• Ngorongoro Crater – Explore the largest intact caldera in the world 
• Ol Donyo Lengai – Enjoy views of an active volcano  

​

*itinerary is tentative can may change without prior notice

How do you manage 12,600 acres of land that neighbors one of the world’s most famous national parks?

First, you start by finding out who’s home!

Enashiva Nature Refuge neighbors the Serengeti National Park where some of the continent’s best wildlife viewing takes place!  Enashiva is 12,600 acres of wilderness that was recently managed with wildlife conservation as its priority.  Understanding the biodiversity of natural resources is a major goal for managing Enashiva.  Wildtrax Explorations has developed a biodiversity monitoring program that delivers the data necessary for successful management of Enashiva’s natural resources.  Our program documents the variety of species and habitats that are found at Enashiva.  The Refuge is in a stage of ecological transition as it converts from agircultural land to a wildlife conservation area.  As Enashiva undergoes natural changes, the species inhabiting the refuge will also change. A biodiversity monitoring program is the foundation of understanding how the land is used by wildlife.

A successful management strategy relies on accurate observations of the different flora and fauna on the property.  At Enashiva, you will learn use a diversity of survey techniques including, but not limited to:- 

• Line transects
• Pitfall traps
• Camera traps
• Bird counts
• Scat & spoor survey 
• Insect light traps

This information will be used by the land managers to develop a comprehensive strategy for conserving the Refuge’s diversity of natural resources.

Are you looking to gain some hands on experience with wildlife veterinarians and while living on a wildlife reserve?  If so, the Waterberg Wildlife & Veterinary Course is the  program for you!

Situated on a 35,000 hectare reserve, this course allows you to become part of the conservation team and work alongside researchers, wildlife veterinarians, and conservation professionals.

If you are a veterinary nurse or student, this course will be an ideal work experience program.

The Pre-Vet Eco Experience is a unique course that has been made specifically for students wanting to apply to veterinary school. We know that acceptance into veterinary school is highly competitive and previous work experience is considered when approving applications. This course offers you the opportunity to work alongside an award winning conservation department and pioneering veterinary staff at the reserve to gain the valuable valuable experience that sets you above the crowd.

The course has been designed to give budding, potential veterinary students an in depth introduction to veterinary science in the context of South African wildlife.   If you are looking for career-defining experiences as a wildlife veterinarian, then look no further than our Pre-Vet Eco Experience. 

As a participant on this program, you will:

• Gain invaluable experience through exposure to practical & hands-on skills in the wildlife veterinary field
• Practice actual wildlife veterinary procedures that are essential for conservation
• Work with trained professional with responsibilities to manage anti-poaching efforts
• Learn immobilization & capture techniques used for diverse species of wildlife 
• Discuss wildlife ranching & conservation challenges.
• Develop animal handling skills relevant for a range of South African wildlife 
• Develop an understanding & gain experience in the medical treatment of wildlife
• Appreciate the importance of herd health in intensive wildlife breeding
• Gain experience working in a variety of habitats
• Learn vegetation types suitable for wildlife sustainability
• Practice using animal tracks and signs to track wildlife
• Understand exotic diseases of South African wildlife
• Monitor & identify elephant, rhino, & predator populations

VETERINARIAN ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:

Introduction to Darting Techniques
The various darting techniques used for game capture and immobilization, learning to handle the various darting systems and target practice.

Introduction to Drug Preparation and Pharmacology
Learn the basics of pharmacology in the context of African wildlife,you will learn how to draw and calculate drugs for various species and circumstances.

Introduction to Injections and Drawing up IV’s
Work with the veterinary team and learn the basics of injections and drawing up IV’s, a vital part of being a wildlife Vet.

Translocation of Antelope Species
Techniques used for mass capture and translocation of antelope species.

Passive Game Capture
Practical techniques on passive game capture of various species. 

Postmortems
Conduct postmortems with Veterinary staff for research and assessment. 

Be the Vet
Here you will be required to put your skills learnt to the test as you head out on the reserve to manage the team and act as the wildlife vet to manage the procedure. E.g. advise on quantities of drugs to be used for translocation of blue wildebeest.

Any Emergency Veterinary Procedures
As required by the Veterinary team on the reserve.

CONSERVATION & RESEARCH ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:

• ​Monitoring White Rhino
• Understand Anti-Poaching and Education
• Elephant Identification and Behavioral Monitoring
• Elephant Fertility Study
• Predator Monitoring and Prey Selection: Lions, Leopard, Cheetah
• Herbivore Herd Structure
• Monitoring Herbivore Herd Condition
• The Art of Tracking
• Bushman Paintings and History of the Reserve. 

Theory and Lectures for Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals:

• Veterinary aspects of wildlife conservation (General overview of conservation and why we have to manage animals)
• Immobilization and capture of wildlife (Mass capture/sail system/net gunning/ individual darting)
• Game Farming (value logistics, trends)
• Pharmacology used in Wildlife (Drug classes and names and doses used and applications)
• Transportation and Tranquilization
• Equipment needed in wildlife veterinary (equipment needed plus safety in the field)
• Capture related problems (Stress, hypothermia, bloat, aspiration, capture myopathy, shock, 11 commandments)
• Talk from representative from Nature Conservation
• Species specific anatomy and problems (Giraffe, Elephant, ruminants, rhino, carnivores)
• Diseases and parasites of wildlife
• Toxicosis in wildlife
• Boma management
• Ostrich farming

​
​Presentations Relating to Applying to Veterinary School

• Process and applying for Vet School
• Interviews at University
• Preparing work experience for interviews
• Making the most of EMS
• Ethical issues: awareness in your application

Practical preparation for EMS

• Bandaging- types/uses/layers/practical application. 
• Drug calculation & injection practice 
• Using a stethoscope
• Heart rates/breathing 
• Physical examination of an animal
• Interview practice!