Safari Small Animal Event: Amazing Wildlife, Fireside Chats & Continuing Education
VetPD - Veterinary Professional Development
4 weeks ago 
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Date: Sunday 22nd November, 2026 - Saturday 28th November, 2026
Start time: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Duration: 7 hour(s)
Cost: £3307.21
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, and 22 hours of cutting-edge lectures / case discussions for attendees to choose from. The following internationally renowned speakers will be involved with this event and are aiming their lectures and wetlabs at experienced general and advanced practitioners: Drs. Dominique Penninck (USA), Marimi (Maria) Soltero-Rivera (USA), Matt Read (USA) & Annick Hamaide (Belgium).
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. Guest 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 and Chameleon Bush Lodge
From Mon – Thu there will be a total of 4-5 hrs of sunrise- and sunset safaris per day 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 workshops/wetlabs on a wide range of current imaging, orthopaedic, medical, oncolgic, ophthalmic & surgical topics. The evenings will be free for leisurely wining and dining, to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.
During the event 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.
The following topics will be covered:
Dentistry
Diagnostic Imaging (Abdominal Ultrasound, POCUS & Radiography/Radiology)
Anaesthesia
Soft Tissue Surgery
The final program will be confirmed soon.
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.
Daytrips to 'Adventure with Elephants', 'Food for Rhinos, an exclusive Hot Air Ballooning Safari over the Cradle of Humankind', Horse Back Riding and the 'Cheetah & Lion Sanctuary' 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 wetlabs as well as extensive event 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 event with a partner/guest (special guest price available). The event fee does not include flights or alcoholic drinks. Rooms are allocated at the discretion of VetPD. Early event registration is recommended as there are only a limited number of places available.
Who is it for?
Vets (New graduates, GPs) and vet students
The Speakers
Annick Hamaide<br /> DVM, PhD, Dipl.ECVS<br /> University Of Liège, Belgium<br /> <br /> Dominique Penninck<br /> DVM, PhD, Dipl.ACVR, Dipl.ECVDI<br /> Tufts University, USA<br /> <br /> Matt Read<br /> DVM, MVSc, Dipl.ACVAA<br /> MedVet Columbus, USA<br /> <br /> Marimi (Maria) Soltero-Rivera<br /> DVM, Dipl.AVDC<br /> UC Davis, USA
The Venue
Mongena & surrounding Game Lodges
Dinokeng Game Reserve (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport)
Number of CPD hours this event can be recorded as
18 hours
Registration and Booking
Click here to reserve your place
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