How to Become an African Safari Vet
If your veterinary practice is limited to dogs, cats, ferrets and the occasional sick parrot, you may be harboring dreams of rehabilitating, caring for and helping propagate animals roaming the African savanna. Life's short. Make your wish reality by exploring ways to realize your aspirations. Start out by making an exploratory trip to the continent in the company of guides hosting tours just for vets. Once you decide that this type of work is all you had hoped it would be, pursue relocation. Be forewarned: Once you've experienced being up close and personal with rhinos, giraffes, elephants and zebras, you might never be able to use the word magnificent when describing a cat or dog again.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Valid veterinary medicine license
- Passport
- Visa (depending on the country)
- Inoculations
Instructions
-
-
1
Experience African veterinarian medicine in person under the supervision of a professional to see what the job entails. Brothers Safaris, owned and operated by veterinarian Peter Brothers, is a popular choice. Alternately, Vet Safari can escort you through game parks courtesy of wildlife veterinarians who also happen to be BBC-TV stars in the U.K. Shaun and Emma have made their "Shumba Experience" in South Africa a popular travel pick. Investigate both using links at the end of this article.
-
2
Learn about what's required of a foreign-born vet in the African region in which you hope to practice. Every country has different laws for expatriates, and you'll be best served by contacting the government of the country in which the wildlife preserve you have chosen is located. Touch bases with the U.S. Department of State to find out if the country you've picked is on a watch list for potential dangers as a precaution.
-
-
3
Check with your state's licensing authority. Find out about restrictions associated with your veterinary medicine license that would prohibit you from practicing in Africa. If necessary, or for your own interest, take refresher classes in large mammal medicine at the closest university with a veterinary medicine program to prepare you for the animals you'll be treating.
-
4
Learn to fire a gun. You'll help with immobilization runs as a regular part of your job in Africa. Firing a tranquilizing gun from a moving helicopter is no easy job, but it's essential if you're to join the ranks of vets treating rhinos, leopards, elephants, lions and other large wildlife.
-
5
Prepare to undertake tasks you performed on your home turf as well as some you might never have done outside school. African safari vets routinely perform surgery on injured animals, monitor the condition of pregnant animals, conduct general health checks, take blood samples, administer contraception and install or repair transmitters that track animal movements. If you need refresher courses, the time to take them is before you get there.
-
6
Search for a job. Decide if you are prepared to take a volunteer position if no paid openings are available at the time of your search. Use the contacts you made during your exploratory trip (Step 1) to get leads. Additionally, network with other vets around the U.S. to locate jobs on the African continent. Touch base with the American Veterinarian Association, located in Illinois, to get leads and turn to the Internet for help.
-
7
Apply for a visa and work permits if required by your host government and obtain inoculations required by the nation's ministry of health. Secure hotel reservations if you won't be reporting directly to the preserve or game area in which you will practice.
-
8
Ship very few items to your African home to stay mobile and unencumbered during your stay. Don't forget to check on health and life insurance coverages. If one or both won't follow you to Africa, arrange for a policy to cover you for the length of time you're abroad. It goes without saying that a camera will be just as essential as your stethoscope, so don't leave home without both.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When you take your escorted veterinarian tour in Africa, expect to pay for your experience. Check with your accountant to see if your exploratory trip can be written off as a job search expense. Keep an accurate calendar of dates on which visas and work permits must be renewed.
