Equine All-Inclusive Safari Event - 6 Days of Lectures, Practical Sessions & Amazing Wildlife
Sun, 16 November, 2025
- Sat, 22 November, 2025
Species
Equine
Contact Hours
18 Hours
Early Booking Deadline
Sun, 05 October, 2025
Registration Deadline
Sun, 19 October, 2025
Language
English
Sponsors
Discipline
Dermatology
Diagnostic Imaging
Internal Medicine – Endocrinology, Haematology, Infectious Diseases, Parasitology & Oncology
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine
Veterinary Partners
Global
The registration deadline has been extended as this event will definitely take place.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
VetPD has combined an exhilarating week-long safari experience at the Mongena Game Lodge**** in the Dinokeng Game Reserve, near Johannesburg, South Africa, with a total of 25 hours of safaris, 30+ hours of cutting-edge lectures / case discussions and 30+ hours of practical sessions / wetlabs on live horses and specimens for attendees to choose from. The following internationally renowned speakers will be involved with this event and lectures/wetlabs will be aimed at experienced general and advanced practitioners: Dr. Natasha Werpy (Equine Diagnostic Imaging, USA), Dr. Harold Schott (Michigan State University, USA), Dr. Henk van der Veen (Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde, The Netherlands), Dr. Melissa Hines (University of Tennessee, USA), Dr. Christina Eberhardt (University of Pretoria, South Africa) and Dr. Graeme Brandon Piketh (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
The Dinokeng Game Reserve is a malaria-free game reserve, 1 hours' drive from Johannesburg International Airport. There the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard & rhinoceros) roam wild and free in the 18,500-hectare game reserve. Bass fishing and the obligatory swimming pool will provide you with the ideal environment to relax with your friends and accompanying partner/guest. The lectures and wetlabs will be held at Mongena Game Lodge. Guests will be staying at one of the following stunning Lodges within the Dinokeng Game Reserve, a short scenic drive from Mongena Game Lodge: Little Mongena, Chameleon Bush Lodge and Siyaya Game Lodge.
From Mon – Thu there will be a total of 4-5 hrs per day of sunrise- and sunset safaris and the lectures and practical sessions will be held between 10.15am – 3.30pm. Every day attendees can choose from several streams of highly illustrated lectures (in English) or wetlabs on a wide range of disciplines and topics. The evenings will be free for leisurely wining and dining, to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.
The 30+ hours of cutting-edge lectures / case discussions and 30+ hours of practical sessions / workshops on live horses and specimens in true small groups will cover the following disciplines (program to follow soon):
- Dermatology
- Orthopaedics & Lameness Diagnostics
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- Radiography & Radiology
- Advanced Imaging
- Internal Medicine
During the course open and frank discussions are encouraged and the speakers will share their personal experiences with attendees, be it successes or failures. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss diagnostic/therapeutic strategies and cases with the speakers during the lectures or the dedicated case discussions.
On Friday there won’t be any lectures or practical sessions, which will allow attendees and their partners/guests to relax at the pool, go for a bush walk or go on a daytrip to explore this beautiful region.
Excursions to 'Adventure with Elephants', 'Food for Rhinos', 'Hot Air Ballooning', 'Cheetah Conservation & Wildcat Sanctuary and Horseback Riding to name but a few can be organised through our partner 'Dinokeng Events' (Subject to availability and surcharges (transfers & entrance at cost) apply).
With regards to the practical sessions, please note that spaces are limited. We will allocate spaces on a first come first serve basis so make sure you register early.
*The event fee includes airport transfers, accommodation, all meals (incl. tea/coffee and one soft drink per meal), transfers between lodges and the sunrise and sunset safaris from Monday to Thursday, all lectures and workshops as well as extensive course notes and a certificate of attendance. Attendees can choose to stay in a single room or can share a room with another attendee at a reduced price. Attendees are also welcome to attend the course with a partner/guest (special guest price available). The course fee does not include flights or alcoholic drinks. Rooms are allocated at the discretion of VetPD. Early course registration is recommended as there are only a limited number of places available.
Additional Terms & Conditions:
- VetPD Ltd, accepts liability for the course program only (lectures & practical sessions)
- Liability for airport transfer, accommodation, meals and all other pre-booked components (safari activities etc.) rest with the Mongena Game Lodge. Cancellation of these components of the course is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Mongena Game Lodge.
- Attendees are expected to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance in the event of unforeseen circumstances leading to attendees falling ill or having to cancel their trip to South Africa.
Dr Eberhardt is an active researcher in the field of equine cardiology at the University of Pretoria. Her main research focus is echocardiography including advanced modalities such as speckle tracking echocardiography. Dr Eberhardt has developed a point of care echocardiography protocol for the evaluation of horses in the emergency and critical care situation. Her research also includes studying advanced teaching methods for echocardiography training. In addition, she collaborates with the Department of Wildlife Medicine to study the heart rhythm of white rhinoceros and other wildlife species using a telemetric mobile ECG device.
More Info
Melissa T. Hines, DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Hines earned her DVM from The Ohio State University and a PhD from the University of Florida's College of Medicine in Immunology and Medical Microbiology. Dr. Hines is an expert in equine medicine and infectious diseases of the horse (DACVIM). Dr. Hines provides clinical services for horses through the equine medicine section and has a special interest in immunology and infectious disease. Her clinical focus includes contagious disease and neonatology and her research interests are focused in immunology and the basis for infectious disease. She teaches a wide range of topic in equine internal medicine and enjoys speaking on topics including equine internal medicine, infectious disease, endocrinology, and neonatology.
More Info
Dr Piketh is an up and coming young researcher at the University of Pretoria with goals aiming at research relating to the cardiovascular responses to systemic and infectious diseases in horses. His research interests also extend to immune mediated disease in horses with a focus on inflammatory bowel disease. His current research project aims at describing clinical and clinicopathological changes seen in horses, naturally infected with equine encephalosis virus.
More Info
Dr. Hal Schott earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell in 1980 and a DVM from the Ohio State University in 1984. He worked in a private equine practice in Santa Barbara, Calif., from 1984 to 1987 and followed that with a residency and PhD program at Washington State University from 1987 to 1991. He was on the WSU faculty from 1991 to 1995 as an instructor and then an assistant professor of equine internal medicine. In 1995, he came to Michigan State University as an assistant professor and progressed to associate and then full professor. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
His clinical interests include all types of urinary tract disease in horses, and his research focuses on fluid and electrolyte physiology, especially with prolonged endurance exercise.
More Info
Henk graduated from Utrecht University, The Netherlands, in 1988. He spent the six years that followed working in two equine clinics in the north and southwest of The Netherlands. In 1994, Henk joined Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde equine referral hospital in the heart of the Netherlands as equine veterinarian in the ambulatory practice. Since 2000, he has specialised in orthopaedics including lameness exams, pre-purchase exams and diagnostic imaging (radiology, ultrasound, scintigraphy and contrast CT). Henk gained his ISELP certification in 2008.
More Info
Dr. Natasha Werpy is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and specializes in equine imaging. She graduated from the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO (CSU) in 1999. After completing an equine internship in 1999-2000, she completed an imaging internship with Dr. Norman Rantanen followed by a diagnostic imaging residency with Dr. Rantanen and Colorado State University. She worked as the Medical Imaging Director at the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University from 2004–2011. She worked part time as an Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Florida in Gainesville from November 2011 – January 2016. Dr. Werpy is a Consulting Radiologist at Advanced Equine Imaging of Wellington, and at the Ocala Equine Hospital, both in sunny Florida.
More InfoPlease download the Program PDF to view it: Download PDF
Venue
Dinokeng Game Reserve (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport)
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel to Dinokeng Game Reserve, South Africa
- Vaccination
Mongena Game lodge is located in the Dinokeng Game Reserve and one of the biggest lodges in the area. Dinokeng Game Reserve is in a malaria free area. Check your government advice on vaccination etc as it differs for country to country.
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for South Africa: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. Shot lasts 2 years.
- VISA
The following link shows a list of countries exempt from requiring a VISA when traveling to South Africa: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries. This list may change without notice so check just before your trip.
To apply for a VISA, click the following link: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit/home
If your country is not on the list, please use this link for the PDF form: VISA Form
Forms need to be emailed to VisaVerifications@dha.gov.za
- Traveling with children: At immigration, requires Unabridged Birth Certificate which shows the details of both parents https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/before-flying/travel-documentation - if father travels alone, then the birth certificate needs to be certificated
Money and tipping
The local currency is South African Rand (ZAR). For currency conversion to your local currency click here: https://www.xe.com
It is advisable to exchange money into local currency – either at the airport or in your country ahead of the event. However, there is a shop with an ATM nearby, where the rangers or VetPD can take you too.
There is no expectation of tipping at Mongena Game Lodge. The guideline is voluntary tipping of 10% on service fee/food/beverages.
Generally speaking, if you purchase anything at Mongena or wish to tip the staff, these charges can be added to your room and you settle your room bill at the end of your trip by credit card (or cash if you wish).
WiFi
There is WiFi available at Mongena Reception, conference room and guest rooms.
Voltage
Plugs Voltage from US https://en-us.wikiconnections.org/power-supplies/continents/africa/what-can-i-connect-to-a-south-african-power-supply
Dress Code
The entire event is very casual. For wetlabs, shorts and t-shirt are perfectly fine. We recommend closed toes shoes when choosing wetlabs with live horses.
For dinner, the dress code is also very casual.
During the early morning and evening safaris a warm jumper, cardigan or coat is useful to have as it can get quite cold on the open plan jeeps.
Have any unwanted textbooks?
"VetBooks for Africa“: a group of veterinary students from the vet school at Onderstepoort does a tour of some neighbouring countries, visiting vet schools and charities. The main purpose behind the trip (other than offering the students an opportunity to visit the countries and making connections) is to distribute veterinary textbooks to them. They collect books on an ongoing basis, and would be very happy to receive any unused text books. There is a short video of their last trip at https://youtu.be/i9fqrtFlamU
Don’t forget to pack: Top tips
- Adapters (South Africa is different from the rest of the world, but most rooms have European plugs)
- Sun cream
- Bathing Suit
- Insect spray
- Binoculars
“A once-in-a-lifetime experience combining continuing education with adventure - very professional and flexible organisers.”
- Tore Malmei, Veterinærene Nyland & Malmei, Norway
“Very well-organized event with superb wetlabs supervised by highly-dedicated speakers. Great spouse program!”
- Päivi Nussbaumer, Clinique du Vieux Château, Switzerland
“Well organised, small initmate course with great academic content.”
- Angela Rogers, Blue Hills Veterinary Hospital, South Africa
“Great spectrum of in class lectures with correlating practical wetlabs. A wonderful experience.”
- Dr. Justin Phillips, USA
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Payment Plan Option
VetPD offers flexible payment plans to make registration fees more manageable. If you would like to split your payment, please contact Ruth Harrington at accounts@vetpd.com to make individual arrangements. A few important points to note:
- Payment plans must be arranged before the final balance is due.
- The number of instalments and payment schedule will be agreed with you directly.
- The full course fee must be settled before the start of the event to confirm your place.
- Payment plans are available for both card and bank transfer payments.
- Please allow at least 5 working days for bank transfers to clear.
2. Family & Group Bookings
-
Families are warmly welcomed. The lodge offers family-friendly rooms and services.
-
For tailored packages, quotes, or reservations for families or larger groups, feel free to reach out to us—we are thrilled to help accommodate special requests and ensure a smooth booking process.
3. VISA & Entry Requirements
-
Visa-Exempt Countries – Some travellers are exempt from South African visa requirements. Check the official government list for the latest updates.
-
Visa Exemptions & Stays – Visitors from many countries—including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia—can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. However, regulations may change, so always check before travel
-
Paper-Based Applications – You may also download and complete the PDF application and email it to VisaVerifications@dha.gov.za.
4. Vaccination & Health
-
Malaria-Free Zone – Mongena Game Lodge is situated in the malaria-free Dinokeng Game Reserve.
-
Recommended Vaccinations – The CDC and WHO commonly advise immunisations for hepatitis A & B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and flu. (Vaccination coverage typically lasts around 2 years.)
-
Yellow Fever – Not required for most travelers—unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic. In that case, vaccination 10 days prior to arrival may be mandatory.
-
Healthcare Quality – South Africa has many high-standard private clinics and hospitals, and the Dinokeng Game Reserve is close to Pretoria. It is a reliable destination for travelers with specific medical or dietary needs.
-
Tip – Please consult your country’s health department or travel doctor well before departure, as official requirements vary by nationality.
5. Safety
- Is it Safe to Visit Dinokeng Game Reserve? Yes – Dinokeng Game Reserve is considered a safe and welcoming destination for visitors, especially when staying at reputable lodges like Mongena. The reserve is a controlled conservation area with monitored access points, so guests can relax and enjoy their stay.
- Transfers & Local Travel - Your package includes airport transfers operated by Dinokeng Events, a trusted and reputable transport company that VetPD has partnered with for many years. They provide professional drivers and well-maintained vehicles, ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and safe journey between O.R. Tambo International Airport and the lodge.
6. Money & Tipping
-
Currency – South African Rand (ZAR).
-
Currency Exchange – You can convert ahead of time or at the airport. There’s also an ATM near the lodge—rangers and VetPD can assist.
-
Tipping Policy – Tipping at Mongena Game Lodge is completely voluntary; if desired, the guideline is around 10% on service, food, and beverages.
-
Billing Convenience – Purchases or tips at the lodge can be added to your room bill, settled with credit card or cash at checkout.
7. Connectivity & Power
-
Wi-Fi – Available at the reception, conference rooms, and guest accommodations.
-
Electricity – South Africa uses 230 V, 50 Hz. If you are arriving from the US, you’ll need an adapter or converter—check general guidelines online for specifics.
8. What to Wear
-
Dress Code – The event is casual throughout.
-
Workshops – Shorts and tees are fine; closed-toe shoes are essential if you'll work around live horses.
-
Dinner & Evenings – Also casual, but layering is smart.
-
Early Safari Mornings/Evenings – It can get chilly in open-top vehicles—bring a jumper, cardigan, or lightweight coat.
9. Travel Insurance & Healthcare
-
Insurance is Key
Always travel with comprehensive insurance covering medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip cancellation.
1 Vet - All Inclusive
Destination Event
USD 5299.99
1 Vet & 1 non-Vet Guest (no CE)
Destination Event
USD 6223.74
2 Vets - shared room, all inclusive
Destination Event
USD 9456.85
If the options you are looking for are unavailable, please contact us.
No tax will be added unless you are a UK taxpayer
Choose currency at checkout
Payment Plans Available - see Event FAQs for details
