Wildlife Adventure Africa — Attraction in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality

We chose Wildlife Adventures Africa because of their “Pre-Veterinary Program”. My daughter is applying to vet schools so we wanted to boost her resume. This was the ONLY way to truly experience South Africa. Many go on Safari and just watch the animals. We got to be hands on with many of the animals you would normally just look at!!! We got great photos posing with these majestic animals.

Your hosts are AMAZING. Rian, Michelle, and their daughters have dedicated their lives to Animal Conservation and Education through these programs. Vanessa and Jaime are the guides that follow you day to day and get you to where you need to be. One of Rian’s passions is the first night conservation talk. Animal conservation in South Africa is completely different from your local zoo. He shares real problems and it is eye opening to find out what is actually happening. Rian loves a good discussion so share your ideas freely and engage in constructive dialogue if you have the chance.

Here is how the program works. We followed a veterinarian named Rita. Rita is quite a character as she is funny and a joy to be around. She works on various game farms in the area. We went to a local farm where she would dart animals for pregnancy checks and relocation. My daughter did all the injections under Rita's guidance and learned so much about the different species. The days vary based on what Rita was called for. A previous group got to trim rhino horns!

This is not a relaxing vacation though. Mornings always started by 5 am and ended around 6pm. Many times we ate and went straight to bed afterwards. Exhausted but amazed by what we did that day. This program does strike an amazing balance between work and play. On weekends, there were tourist things to do. We saw Jessica the hippo where we fed and interacted with her and her baby! We went to an elephant sanctuary where we had an amazing interaction with them. We walked at sunrise with cheetahs while they went on their morning hunt. We went on a sunset river cruise and watched the animals along the shore. For the daring, we did the “Big Swing” (look it up!), a cliff edge walk and zip lines. While you are there, you will see what it takes for them to deliver this amazing opportunity. The program runs 25 times a year!

Your accommodations are beautiful as you are staying in the home of your hosts. You have a bedroom chalet with the number of beds varying depending on party sizes. All chalets have an ensuite. You will enjoy the great meals at the main house with all the other guests and family members. We ate great! Steak, Bacon wrapped stuffed chicken breasts, lamb chops, etc. One night there will be a starter and the next, a dessert. There was lots of laughter and stories shared over meals. Unlike other programs we researched, all meals were provided. Lunch boxes were prepared for your day’s adventures. Cold beverages were always available. We ate at a few local restaurants and the food was excellent.

I cannot say enough positive things about this program or the family running it. This is not a 5 star resort nor do they claim to be. Read their website. This is an adventure,...

I recently completed a 14-day program with Wildlife Adventure Africa, and the experience was nothing short of life-changing. From the very beginning, it felt like more than just a program—it felt like joining a warm, passionate family that truly loves wildlife. The organization is run by a wonderful family, and being welcomed by their three lovely dogs made the place instantly feel like home. Throughout the program, I had the incredible opportunity to work closely with a professional wildlife vet and be hands-on with amazing wild animals such as cheetahs, hyenas, and more. Every day brought new learning, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of conservation and animal care. Our guide VANESSA was outstanding—knowledgeable, supportive, and full of energy. She made every moment engaging, whether we were working in the field or exploring during our free time. Even though the program was work-focused, it balanced adventure and fun perfectly. During our breaks, we went on incredible game drives, observed Africa’s breathtaking wildlife in their natural habitat, and even got to feed hippos and elephants—an unforgettable experience. Visiting one of the oldest trees in the world was another magical highlight that made us feel connected to the deep history of the land. What made the entire journey even more special was sharing it with best nine companions I could ask for. Together, we worked hard, laughed often, and created unforgettable memories that I will cherish forever(In the jungle the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight. Overall, my time with Wildlife Adventure Africa was an amazing blend of learning, teamwork, adventure, and joy. I left with unforgettable memories, new skills, lifelong friendships, and a strong appreciation for wildlife conservation. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is passionate about animals, nature, and...

The Wildlife Adventure Africa program was an absolute blessing in my life. As a fifth-year student under the Department of Animal Science at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus, I wanted to give myself the task of exploring different areas within the veterinary medicine before deciding which specialty I was going to focus on in the future. This trip helped me not only to explore the area of wild animals but also helped me to get to know myself as a person and to recognize both my limitations and work abilities. In this program we were given the opportunity to get to know and learn about wild animals and the culture of Africa (most of it). In the two weeks, we were able to learn and attend some of the most viewed species in Africa; such as: lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, snakes, reptiles, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, and countless of antelopes. In some of these species we manage to take blood samples in the ear (cephalic vein), make subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections of anesthetics, and antiparasites. In addition, we learned how to take samples of Dna and monitor animals during anesthesia. To all those people who have hesitation in participating DO IT!!!!! You’re going to have a tremendous experience and in addition it helps all those people who are about to apply to veterinary school; thus being from the experience, letters of recommendation and hours made with various veterinarians. I will like to thank Jamie and his whole family for welcoming me during those two weeks and for helping me fulfill one of my greatest dreams. Here are some photos of my stay...