Travel information
Where will the course take place?
Wild Spirit courses are dynamic and involve a high level of real hands-on veterinarian work. During your time in South Africa, we will be travelling along to game reserves, rescue centres and national parks in South Africa. There are two main areas where the course take place, Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria province) and the Garden Route (George, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna).
How does the transport work?
Any special transport requests outside of the needs of the course will be negotiated as required.
International or national airfares are not included in the course fee, even if we take it during course time.
International Airfares: Do not book your plane tickets until course has been confirmed. Please send us an email once you have booked your international airfares.
National Airfares: As you know half of the course will take place in the center of South Africa and part in the south, that means we all need to take a plane from Johannesburg to George, which is not included in the course fee.
ATTENTION! A few weeks before the course commences we will confirm your details about the necessary plane ticket from Johannesburg to George. So don’t worry for now.
The first day of the course the Wild Spirit team will be at Johannesburg airport, waiting for you and to pick you up with the rest of the students. Please send us your international flight details.
Extra activities
Insurance
Please note working with wildlife can be dangerous. You are attending this course under your own responsibility and understanding of the risks. Please do not leave your country without MEDICAL and TRAVEL insurance. In South Africa the public hospitals are not recommended and private health is expensive.
The Wild Spirit indemnity form is required to be signed by the first day of the course, in addition game reserves and extra activities will often provide their own indemnity forms that require signing.
Money
The rand (sign: R; code: ZAR) is the currency of South Africa. For personal costs and extra activities, we advise you to change only some money and the rest pay with a credit card.
The value of the ZAR is the following:
- 1€= 20 ZAR
- 1$ = 19 ZAR
- 1£ = 23 ZAR
These are some of the websites you can find more information about currency conversions.
What could you need money for during a Wild Spirit Course?
- Extra Meals: – Meals on the road during working time –
- Meals on free day or during extra activities
- Extra activities
- Cold and Alcoholic drinks
- Souvenirs
What should I bring along for personal use?
- Walking shoes (mountain boots), winter hat, cap, swimming wear, warm and waterproof coat, jersey, t-shirt, jeans or safari trousers, scarf, gloves, warm socks
- Early morning in the bush in South Africa can be really cold!! BE READY!!!
- Complete bath bag, sun blocks.
- Stethoscope
- Sleeping bag, (only if advised)
- Laptop (not compulsory)
- Digital Camera, GoPro; you will be glad to capture memories!!
- Small backpack for everyday water, snacks and camera.
How and what to wear?
We are professionals, so we consider you one; it is important to dress up professionally and appropriately according to the circumstances of the country we are in, its culture and our wildlife veterinary profession.
The bush in open vehicles at sunrise and sunset (working time) can be very cold!!!
June to August are the winter months in South Africa. The answer to this is dressing in layers.
We recommend dressing up in a T-shirt, jeans, comfortable trousers, and good boots. On the top is a good jersey and a waterproof warm coat.
Some mornings can be FREEZING cold so you might need a warm hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and scarf.
Please keep in mind that this is a veterinarian program, so please, when working, wear a comfortable but professional outfit. Regarding colours, its preferred earth-like, black and blue. Bright colours are not allowed.
How is the weather like?
20º-25ºC
5º-10ºC
Winter months in South Africa:
0º-10ºC
-5ºC
What kind of baggage should I bring?
We will recommend you bring medium site baggage and a small backpack.
The baggage can be backpacker kind or with wheels, in any case, remember that during the course we will be changing accommodations so the best will be to bring something easy for you to move and to pack.
Is sleeping bag necessary?
Cellphone and WIFI
USB and Hard-driver?
What do I need to know about my passport?
What Visa?
What are the requirements for entering South Africa?
A valid visa, if required.
Sufficient funds.
A return or onward ticket.
Yellow fever certificate – if your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
See the Department of Home Affairs’ list of countries exempt from South African visas
South Africa Languages
English is the official language of business, politics and media but on South Africa’s streets you’ll find a heady mix of languages spoken from all over the world, most notably Africa, Europe and Asia.
Vaccines and health information
PLEASE note you will be in Malaria Free Areas and we are going to be in hygienic places, however any precaution is recommended.
Also visit the Ministy of Health website in your country of residence.
Drinking water in South Africa:
The water is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions as necessary.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry maintains that South Africa’s national standard of water quality compares well with World Health Organization standards.