Sunrise at Amakhala Reserve

South Africa Experience!

Adventure Awaits

AAEC

Africa Conservation & Veterinary Science Trip

AAEC has developed an intense program where 12 students travel to South Africa to experience working with a world renowned veterinarian in the fields of Conservation and Veterinary Medicine - Dr. William Fowlds.

Students interested should be enrolled in the Dr. Dean Rice Veterinary & Human Health Program at one of the AAEC Campus locations this includes the Online campus. For those students who are Online, we encourage you to apply. The student should have a strong interest in pursuing a career either in veterinary medicine/science, conservation, and/or ecology. Priority applicants are Juniors and Seniors, but we encourage Freshmen and Sophomores to apply. All students chosen take a special class offered at AAEC called Vets Go Wild, taught by Dr. William Fowlds. This class prepares the students for the trip by giving background knowledge on conservation, One Health, and other concepts necessary to have a successful and fun experience. This is a life changing and once in a lifetime experience for the students.

For students not enrolled in the Dr. Dean Rice Veterinary & Human Health Program, please contact Shari Charbonneau at the Mesa Campus directly for applying.

The 2026 trip is scheduled for:

Basic Travel Dates: May 25, 2026 - June 7, 2026

* Trip dates subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.

How do you pay for a trip like this? I am not rich!

The simple answer is Arizona Tax Credits! You have people you know give to support this trip for your child. They get to claim this on their Arizona State Taxes and get a dollar for dollar return on it! If you get enough people to give and at the right time - you can raise a majority of the money!

How does it work?

HOW TO USE ARIZONA TAX CREDITS TO FUND YOUR SOUTH AFRICA EXPERIENCE

Can my family in another state use Az Tax Credits?

Only full or part-ime residents (must be filing taxes in Arizona) can use this dollar for dollar return. If you have relatives or friends that live in another state - they can give via an online payment and claim it on their federal returns because AAEC is an IRS 501(c)3 designated organization. They should consult their tax preparer for more information if they have questions regarding the IRS and Federal Taxes.

Other Fundraising Options?

Many students and parents in the past have used a combination of options to pay for the trip. This includes normal payments (Out of their pocket), AZ Tax Credits, Letter writing to friends, family, co-workers, church members and more!

For some this included fundraising like bake sales, tamale sales, etc. Students have set up GoFundMe type fundraisers - you see there are so many options for you to make this a reality as a student and as the parent. This requires team work and dedication! This trip is completely attainable if the student and parents put in the effort to make it a reality!

The Beach Walk - South Africa

How much does the trip cost?

The trip costs $6500 per student, don’t let this number scare you! Read the section above again on using AZ Tax Credits!

This includes:

Hotel/Lodge accommodations in South Africa
Meals, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water on Amakhala
Transportation (hotel and airport)
Game Drive Guides
International (flight & meals)
Domestic flights in US (snacks & drinks) & South Africa (snacks & drinks)
Tuition (Ulovane & Amakhala)
Trip Shirt, Journal, Name Badge, AAEC Swag

Other Costs not included in the amount above:

Passport - See the Passport section for more information and links.
Vaccines if not covered by insurance.
Tipping - We do require all students, chaperones, and any administrators attending pay tipping for our drivers, guides, and the staff at both Safari Lodge and Ulovane. This cost varies each year - for 2025 it was approximately $160 USD per person or approximately 2500 Rand, the amount will be shared during the April 2026 meeting for those chosen. The tipping cannot be included in the online payments or Tax credit process - we have no way to convert the online payment monies or tax credit monies to use for tips. The drivers, guides, and staff of both locations take very good care of us. Showing them gratitude is important.
Airport (meals, drinks, snacks)
Dinner in Cape Town the first night (we are eating at the Wild Fig) (Menu Link)
Soda & Other drinks at Amakhala

The student is responsible for any other purchases while traveling through airports, airport shopping, hotel and site gift shops. We recommend $300-$400 USD in RAND for expenses outside airports.

Vaccines Needed:

Updated DTAP/TDAP
Hepatitis A or the Hepatitis A/B Combo
Typhoid

For some, your health coverage/insurance may cover these. If not, you will need to pay for them out of pocket through your doctor, CVS, Walgreens, or Costco Pharmacies, etc. Prices vary by provider.

We do not need malaria or yellow fever vaccines.

Watering Hole - Amakhala Reserve

2026 South Africa Experience

Can you afford for your child to go experience the animals, beauty, and wonder of South Africa?

The simple answer is yes with hard work and planning.

For Freshmen and Sophomores - they can start early by "banking" the money through Tax Credits and other payments each year. As long as we know it is for that particular student and the Africa Trip - we can track it.

For Juniors and Seniors we know the time is shorter but every student that has attended regardless of their family's finances has found a way to pay for the trip and expenses.

In the past we have had parents and students think creatively to make it work by asking community organizations such as Rotary for donations, asking large employers in their area to give, asking parent's employers to support them, crowdfunding options have worked for some. Some principals, educators, and support staff have used their options of Tax Credits to support students on the same campus.

It is always worth the ask!

The experience in working with elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah, giraffe, and so many more are worth it. Not to mention the vast beauty they are immersed in while on safari at Amakhala Game Reserve. The beach walk alone is worth it's weight in gold, they will experience tide pools, multi-story sand dunes, and some of the most pristine beaches on the planet. This is a once in a lifetime experience - one they will never forget!