If you are a follower of Worldwide Vets you have probably seen our new THRIVE course offered as a CE/CPD option for veterinary professionals. The slogan for this course reads "Continuing education, just not as you know it"- if you're anything like me you're probably sitting there thinking well what makes this CE option any different to others on offer?
Sit back, relax and let us explain to you just what makes this course so unique! Here's the run down, the inside scoop.... anything you may be wondering about this new offering.
What better way to show you this than to take you through the course as if you are living it yourself? Buckle up kids.... our journey begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe- one of the most iconic sites in Africa!
As you step off the plane the humidity of the African air hits you, greeting you and welcoming you with a warm embrace to the country of Zimbabwe. A member from the lodge is waiting as you step through the international arrival doors and you are ushered along into the vehicle to be taken to the lodge. The twenty minute drive is filled with livestock at the side of the road, African women balancing their wares on the top of their heads, thick bush and so much more to take in! At the lodge after a quick safety briefing and welcome talk you are ushered to your room to settle in before lunch.
The lunch table is filled with veterinary professionals from all around the world chatting away about their lives back home and their hopes for the trip... the excitement is evident... (so is the jet lag!) but everyone is rearing to go and too scared to miss out on anything! After lunch we head out on the safari vehicles to our sundowners spot. On the way you encounter your first wildlife sightings and Africa begins to come to life before your eyes. Families of baboon coming down to the river to drink, warthogs running across the vlei with their tails pointing heavenwards like antennae trying to catch a signal, proud waterbuck grazing, impala scattered across the planes. As you cross the riverbed you encounter a herd of buffalo cooling off from the afternoon heat. A giraffe blocks the road towering above the game vehicle before taking off into the bush. Elephant droppings litter the road, elephant tracks...an elephant! Directly behind the game vehicle! Finally we arrive at our sundowners spot. The bush suddenly drops away at the edge of the gorge, the rushing water from the waterfall upstream flows below - a truly magnificent setting to bond with fellow colleagues as the sun sets over the African horizon.
(Above are photographs from our first afternoon from the first two Thrive sessions)
The bark of baboons and distant trumpeting of elephants marks the beginning of a new day. After a quick coffee we all load up into the lodge vehicle to be taken to the boating harbor. A double decked boat awaits us at the jetty site- one floor with a beautiful breakfast spread laid out for us and above a comfortable set up of sofas and small coffee tables. We set off down the Zambezi river. The sky alive with bird-life, hippos pepper the Zambezi river-their ears wiggling above the surface of the water and catching the rays of sunlight. After sitting down for a wonderful breakfast floating down the mighty Zambezi you settle in for the morning lectures. Could you ask for a better backdrop when diving into the first topics on personal development?
Lunch is then at the lodge and with the morning boat ride having set the tone for the day the afternoon session is focused on mental health and well being within the veterinary profession. The lecture space is set within nature once again- the plooms of spray from the waterfall are visible on the horizon, wildlife wander around- a pleasant surprise of warthog or bush buck (small antelope) are welcome visitors around the lecture space during talks. Lectures continue in this space through the next day - of course with short breaks to hop in the swimming pool and cool off, a quick lookout at the watering hole for wildlife coming down to drink, and even a sneaky cocktail to ward off the heat!
At 4pm we all load up in the game vehicles and off we go to Chamabondo National Park! Once again Africa sets the scene, the thick bush opens up into wide rolling vleis, the acacia trees marking the boundary of the vlei like an amphitheatre setting the stage for the Zimbabwean wildlife to make their appearance. Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, and kudu make are the first sightings. A huge elephant bull wanders through the vlei- bathing himself in dust, a flick of his trunk and he is bathed in a halo of dust catching the light. Magic!
As the afternoon gets cooler and the sun starts to cast a golden hue across the plains, we alight from the vehicles to enjoy a cold drink under the cool of a huge acacia. A herd of buffalo enjoy an afternoon drink at the waterhole directly in front of us. Suddenly- thundering hoof-beats- dust billowing from the earth like smoke- two buffalo approaching the watering hole at speed with something in their wake- 3 figures barely visible in the dust. They break through the dust barrier and the forms are more clear- 3 wild dog on the hunt! Goosebumps, chills, you know this is a once in a lifetime moment! (This actually happened on our December 2023 course!)
A bonfire is burning at the lodge when you return. You gather round it with the rest of the delegates to share stories of your day before settling in for a safari dinner.
6am and it's time to go! Today's mission- one of the 7 wonders of the world. Mosi oa tunya- the smoke that thunders- the mighty Victoria Falls. The spray from the falls lightly dusts your face with moisture - a cool reprieve from the heat already beginning to set in for the day. The shear force of the waterfall catches your breath- what a sight to behold! The feeling of standing before such natural power and beauty is indescribable- photographs and videos do not do it justice! A humbling experience is a good start in describing this.
After being absolutely drenched in the rainforest a warm coffee/ tea with a beautiful continental spread for a breakfast is a welcomed treat at the Lookout Cafe. Once warm and full you continue on with lectures for the rest of the morning. The lecture room setting is on the side of the gorge-cliff faces and rushing white water below set the scene.
11am rolls along and here you are standing on the edge of the gorge about to jump. It's canopy tour time! Talk about facing your fears and pushing your limits! Your stomach drops as you feel the earth leave the soles of your feet-panic- breathe- calm. Once you get over the initial rush of adrenaline you take the time to look around- WOW! What a view! As you approach the end of the last zipline your feelings of "please let this be over" have changed to "oh no, that was the last one". An odd sense of accomplishment washes over you and you're glad that you did it! You took the leap!
A delectable lunch is waiting for you back at the Lookout Cafe before you head back to camp to finish off the afternoon of lectures.
