Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Duration: 1 or 2 weeks
Animal type: Various African Wildlife
Experience: None-Qualified
Wildlife Chemical Immobilization course
Gain hands on experience with wildlife capture and chemical immobilization in Africa! This course was designed for any person wanting to get a taste of a what it is like to be a wildlife vet, conservationist, researcher, zookeeper or manager and partake in capturing wildlife.
Participants will immerse themselves in the thrilling wildlife of South Africa, engaging in both practical and theoretical lessons that provide insight into the roles of a wildlife veterinarian, manager, conservationist, or zoo professional within the unique setting of South Africa. Through hands-on experience with various wildlife species, interactive lectures, and practical training in dart gun handling and shooting, participants will acquire invaluable skills and knowledge. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to explore diverse cultures, travel across the Eastern Cape region, and work within different game reserves, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of wildlife conservation efforts.
Looking for a More Comprehensive Wildlife Experience?
If you’re looking for a more immersive and extensive experience, consider doing a Comprehensive Wildlife Experience. This package offers one full week in each of our programs, including the Wildlife Capture course, Wildlife Management, and Conservation, giving you a well-rounded view of the diverse aspects of wildlife conservation at a discounted price.
On the Wildlife Management and conservation experience, you will strengthen your skills in habitat management, population monitoring, and wildlife relocation—key elements of conservation. This course pairs perfectly with wildlife capture, offering hands-on experience in managing wild populations.
You can further personalize your experience by extending your stay. Whether you wish to deepen your knowledge in wildlife capture or explore another area of conservation, you have the option to add an extra week or more to continue your learning journey.
 2026 dates for Wildlife Capture courses
May-August 2026 (Now booking students!)Â
Please email us for available and selected dates! This program has a max of 6 participants and a minimum of 3 participants, therefore we try to group students where possible. Or bring a friend! 🙂Â
One week options:
11 -18 May (5 Spaces left)
8-15 June (FULL)
6-13 July (4 Spaces left)
27 July-3rd August (6 spaces left)
Two week options:
11 -24 May (5 Spaces left)
8-21 June (FULL)
6-19 July (4 Spaces left)
27 July- 9 August (6 spaces left)
 Wildlife Capture course start days
Courses start on Monday morning and run every Monday to Friday! Weekends are up for you to explore South Africa’s beauty with our awesome weekend activities! We ask you to arrive on Sundays and depart Sunday or Monday.
Some activities you may take part in during your capture weeks include:
- Gain hands-on experience with Wildlife
- Various wildlife species protocols
- Drugs used for chemical immobilization and their effects
- The drug box checklist
- Drugs used for general clinical purposes and management in wildlife
- Learn the different capture methods such as net capture, passive capture, mass helicopter capture, dart gun and more
- Set up and prepare for captures
- Approaching and handling immobilized animals
- Administering injections to Immobilized animals
- Monitoring Immobilized animals
- Filling of darts
- Telemetry demonstration and practice
- Gun handling and principles. Shooting accurately, Dart Placement
- Target practice
- Assist in the Transportation of animals
- Learn different drug combinations for the different animals
- Predators – principles and protocols
- Sample collection and monitoring, filling of capture and clinic forms
- Ticks and tickborne diseases, its importance and control
- Herd evaluation and recording
- Â Approach wildlife during a capture course
- Sample collection
- Â Reversal of darted animal
- Â Lab practical. Processing of samples collected and Ticks identification
Wildlife Species you may work with:
- Many antelope species- Impala, Blesbok Springbuck, Wildebeest, Sable, Zebra, Nyala and Kudu
- You may get a chance, but we can never guarantee the opportunity to work with Giraffe, Rhino, Buffalo and and Lion
Feel free to combine any programs! View our programs
View our other Wildlife conservation and management program or combine the two and become a full wildlife expert!
PRICE
Program Fees and Payment Information
The fee for the Wildlife Chemical Immobilization Course covers everything you need for a comfortable and enriching experience. This includes:
- Accommodation (comfortable and well-equipped rooms)
- Meals during the week (delicious, local cuisine)
- WIFI (to stay connected)
- T-shirt
- Learning materials
- All transport (within the program, including to different game reserves)
- Airport transfers
The Wildlife Chemical Immobilization Course for 2025 and 2026 is priced at $1380 for one week. To secure your spot, a $230 booking fee is required (even if you are unsure of your exact dates yet).
The remaining program fee of $1150 is due 6 weeks before your arrival. You have the option to pay the program fee in one or two installments, based on your financial preferences. We are committed to accommodating your financial needs and making the payment process as flexible as possible. We use PayPal, Venmo and Zelle.
Start paying your program fee whenever you’re ready — we want to make this experience accessible for everyone!
Have more questions or need more information?
CONTACT US FOR PRICES AND BROCHURE
