Caitlin Bayliss

I spent two weeks at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience where I worked with two amazing vets. There was a good mixture of wildlife and small animal work, and on one weekend, I even had the opportunity to work in a clinic with the local community, which was incredibly insightful.

I think my favourite part of this experience was being part of some rhino horn trimmings. I got to participate in this procedure on both black and white rhinos on different days. It was so interesting to learn about the ethics behind horn-trimming.

Another highlight for me was working on five different cheetahs who were being relocated to Zimbabwe. It was quite an early morning but it was so rewarding. It took around four hours for us to dart them and move them into their crates for transport. It was amazing to experience.

Before coming here, I was considering studying conservation medicine, and this trip confirmed that it's something I truly want to pursue. It also gave me insight into how different veterinary work is here compared to the UK, which I believe is a valuable perspective to have.

Aside from the vet work, I got to do some really fun activities during my downtime. I went to the Blyde River Canyon on one weekend and it was one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been to. The mountains and the views were just incredible. I also got to visit the Kruger National Park and the vastness of that place and the number of animals there is unexplainable. It’s mindblowing really. There are so many other people in the park with you but it doesn’t feel like that at all because everyone has a totally different experience. You could be in one location, then move on and the people five minutes behind you will see something totally different to what you saw. 

These activities were arranged for me by the host family I stayed with. They are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. They really made me feel at home there. The food they made for me was incredible and the reserve they live on is amazing. You are allowed to walk around freely, as are the animals, so giraffes and antelope come up to the house quite often. I was really sad to leave them! 

For anyone who is considering doing a trip with African Conservation Experience (ACE), I would say definitely do it!

Also, the vets I got to work with were so welcoming, answered all my questions and gave me a great opportunity to learn new skills. I am coming away feeling like I have learned so much, at the same time as really enjoying myself.

My dad accompanied me to South Africa, as this was my first big trip abroad and he wanted to make sure that I was safe. He left me with ACE at the airport and went on his own adventure! He said that South Africa has been “an absolutely delightful country to visit. The people are so friendly and welcoming.”

He also commented that he would have no shadow of a doubt sending me back to ACE if I wanted to do another experience as “the team in the UK and the team here in South Africa have been experts from day one. The communication has been first hand and you never feel like you are on your own. ACE has been an amazing company to work with.”