2026 South Africa Experience
The experience of a lifetime!
The experience of a lifetime!
Morning Mist at Amakhala Reserve
Amakhala Reserve
Sunrise at Amakhala Reserve
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.
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!
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.
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 campaigns 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 dedication on the student’s part and team work!
This trip is completely attainable if the student and parents put in the effort to make it a reality!
The trip costs $6500 $6000 per student, don’t let this number scare you! Read the section above again on using AZ Tax Credits! A generous donation from Dr. Rice’s Kids of $500 per student has reduced the cost for each student.
This includes:
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.
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
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 - By starting early, you will have this trip paid for very quickly. We suggest you raise $6500 over a 3-4 year period. If you started your Freshman year - you raise $1625 every year. Much less stressful! If you start your Sophomore year - you raise $2166 per year. You see the earlier you start, the easier it is! Also, you can pay the entire $6500 using Arizona Tax Credits! This means all you do is put in the work with friends, family, community members, church members - people who love you and see the value in you! You can even ask teachers, principals, and others on campus!
It is always worth the ask!
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. But you can follow the same plan by using Arizona Tax Credits to pay for the trip!
BE CREATIVE! USE YOUR IMAGINATION! THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!
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 its 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!
2017 South Africa Experience with Dr. Dean Rice
BE A PART OF THIS ADVENTURE!
You Can Be Here! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Experience the Wonder of South Africa!
Adventure Awaits You Here!
