COST
£2,999 (delegate)
£2,650 (partner)
DATES
1st - 7th February 2027
7th - 14th February 2027
RACE accredited: 32 hours of learning
7 days of safari drives, boat cruises, and getting back to nature, whilst engaging with actionable training to help you build the career you want. This course stands out not only for its down-to-earth and relatable content, but also for it's breathtaking setting, in the heart of Africa.
The journey is set in the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe. As participants step off the plane, they are enveloped by the vibrant African landscape during their drive to the charming Insika Lodge.
Everyday half of the time is focused on teaching, and half of the time on safari activities, giving space to unpack the day's information in the beauty of this natural space. The educational sessions are entwined with nature - aboard a boat on the Zambezi River where hippos and elephants can be spotted on the shores, in the bush in front of sweeping landscapes, and in the spray of the thundering Victoria Falls waterfall, one of the 7 wonders of the world. This unique environment fosters a deep connection with nature, providing an inspiring backdrop for exploring the challenges that affect our profession.
Unlike traditional courses, this experience gives veterinarians, nurses and technicians the opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life, pause and invest in themselves. Immersed in the wild, participants are encouraged to think differently, gain new perspectives, develop practical tools for navigating professional and personal challenges.
The educators, Christine Stevens from South Africa and Andi Davison from Flourish Consulting in the USA, present proven science-based methods that bring a fresh new look on topics that so few of us learned during training, but that every vet, nurse, and technician should understand in order to navigate the challenges of working in veterinary medicine in today's demanding climate.
Gone are the days of sitting in dark lecture rooms to “clock up” hours. Step into the sunshine and experience a lifechanging week in the wilds of Africa that guarantees a fulfilling experience to refresh, revitalise and alter your perspective on life.
Want to see our course blog? THRIVE Blog.
The education is a mixture of:
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The Enneagram workshop - discover your core motivations and how you relate to others
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Team practicals
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Dynamic group discussion
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Lectures
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Thrive missions: activities including safari drives, boat cruises and Victoria Falls waterfall tour, to explore the African wilderness
Imagine a lecture space where giraffe and elephant meander across the grasslands in front of you! This is continuing education, but not as you know it.
Through the course we cover five core topics including:
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Personal strength development. For this we utilize the Enneagram, a practical workshop discussing differing personality types, core motivations and blind spots. Each person takes home a printed personalized review.
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Setting goals for success
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Team dynamics
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Stress management
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Preventing burnout
Accommodation:
Delegates enjoy their own luxury lodge room with king-size bed (2 single beds can be available if desired) with cool luxurious white linen, ensuite bathrooms, and safari chic design. There is a communal swimming pool, so you can cool off in the warmer parts of the day or even swim under starlight at night, with a good chance of viewing animals. The communal areas where you eat and socialize are draped in authentic African décor. The main deck of the lodge has a view of the waterhole where warthogs, antelope and monkeys come to drink. The space gives a true sense of being in the midst of nature, totally disconnected from the bustle of normal life.
You will receive 3 meals a day and we can cater for most dietary requirements. The food presents delicious flavors, wide variety, and mixes international and local cuisine so you can dive into African food culture during too. The lodge stocks a range of drinks and alcoholic beverages (at own expense). Laundry is available, the Wi-Fi works in both rooms and communal areas.
Location
The lodge is set in the Victoria Falls national park, a big 5 wildlife area. You can expect to be serenaded with calls of the wild at breakfast and supper, elephants trumpeting and lions roaring into the night. In the evening you can enjoy sunsets igniting the horizon and then relaxing around the fire, under a sky of stars. The safari drives never fail to disappoint as the area is rich with all species, and we often see lions, wild dogs, buffalo, antelope, elephants, crocodile, giraffe and much more.
Bringing a partner or friend to THRIVE
If you would like to bring your partner or friend along to this event as a social member (no teaching included) they are very welcome. All partners attending this course will be hosted on an all-inclusive basis including transfers and food. A partner is required to share a room with a course member. Rooms can be shared either with one king size bed or 2 single beds. Your friend or partner will join all the fun safari activities including safari drives and boat cruises. Whilst teacing occurs they will be able to enjoy optional activities such as bush walks, safari drives, and community excursions, or just kick back and relax by the pool!
Travel information and planning
We ask you arrive before 2pm on the first day of the course. You will book your flights into Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. Most nationalities are able to purchase a tourism visa on arrival, which costs 50 to 70 USD and lasts for up to 3 months. Departure must be after 12pm on the last day of the course. If you wish to be collected or dropped in town for personal travel and exploration, this can be arranged.
You do not need to be vaccinated for Covid to travel to Zimbabwe.
Cost:
£2,999 (delegate)
£2,650 (partner)
Included:
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32 hours of CE/CPD accredited learning
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Personalised Enneagram workbook
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6 nights accommodation in 5* Insika Lodge
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Transfers to and from the airport
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3 outstanding meals a day
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All “Thrive missions” (safari drives, boat trips, Victoria Falls tour, cultural initiation)
Excluded:
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Flights
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Visas
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Personal travel insurance
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Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
What next?
If you want to experience the most exhilarating and eye-opening continuing education course available, you can book your space now or send us an email to discuss the course further. Hurry, a quarter of the spaces have already sold in the first week of ticket sales!
testimonials
Tanja C. Wittrock, DVM
Michigan USA. 2025
"Multitasking, just like any self-respecting veterinarian, I initially signed up for the THRIVE experience for the sole purpose of supporting Worldwide Vets, a young but already impressive organization improving animal health internationally, from the frontlines in Ukraine to the most remote areas in India, Thailand and South Africa. I have to admit that I did not do much research regarding the offered CE and would have been absolutely happy to “just” experience the tremendous wildlife and culture in Zimbabwe.
I will be, without a doubt, participating with Worldwide Vets’ well-organized, high-quality experiences again and can only strongly recommend it to any of my fellow professionals."
Kyle Grusling, DVM
Michigan, USA. 2024
"I cannot put into words the transformative experience that was Thrive 2024. From the setting to the presentations to the friendships made, I brought back invaluable information that has improved my practice and my daily life. My personal favorite was the enneagram work. Seeing my entire personality, flaws and all, on a piece of paper was a bit daunting at first, but working with Christine was so incredibly illuminating. Learning how to work with other personality types within my own skill set and learning to bring out the positives in others has already improved my practice in a measurable way. The setting of the conference was truly magical, with lectures taking place while watching hippos and elephants in the Zambezi, creating an almost surreal backdrop for learning. It was an experience I will never forget and cannot wait to repeat."
Helen Trory, DVM
UK. 2023
"I attended the Thrive course in Zimbabwe in February 24. It is difficult to put into words this amazing experience. Elephants, zebras, warthogs and giraffes, beautiful accommodation, a fantastic hospitality team and lovely food. Lectures in unbelievable locations like on the Zambezi river with hippos or overlooking Victoria falls with fish eagles! Opportunities to challenge yourself with activities like zip lining... local culture, game drives, feeding elephants and genuinely lovely people everywhere we went. Social activities like cocktails in stunning locations, swimming in the beautiful pools during lunch breaks and a traditional Boma dinner to name but a few ! Making connections for life ! This has to be how CPD should be done !"
