Thrive
RACE accredited: 20 hours of learning
9th-15th February 2025
2nd-8th March 2026
8th-14th March 2026
7 days of safari drives, boat cruises, and getting back to nature whilst UK and USA lecturers provide 20 hours of RACE accredited training on mental health and self-development, during a course that stands out not only for its content but also its breathtaking setting in the heart of Africa.
The journey begins in the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. As participants step off the plane, they are immediately enveloped by the vibrant African landscape. The course hosts lectures entwined in nature, aboard a boat on the Zambezi River where hippo, elephant and crocodile can be spotted, in wildlife reserves, and at the iconic Victoria Falls waterfall itself. This environment fosters a deep connection with nature, providing a serene backdrop for tackling science focused mental health topics.
Upcoming Events
Sun, 09 FebThe Wallow Lodge09 Feb 2025, 12:30 – 15 Feb 2025, 12:30The Wallow Lodge, Wildlife Sanctuary, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Sun, 02 MarThe Wallow Lodge02 Mar 2025, 12:00 – 08 Mar 2025, 12:20The Wallow Lodge, Wildlife Sanctuary, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Sun, 08 MarThe Wallow Lodge08 Mar 2026, 12:00 – 14 Mar 2026, 11:30The Wallow Lodge, Wildlife Sanctuary, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
A 7 day continuing education retreat, set at an all inclusive 5* lodge in spectacular Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe, Africa.
The focus of the 20 hour training brings a fresh new look on team dynamics, communication and developing and maintaining boundaries with proven science-based methods. These are vital skills for any professional to improve their working environment, career longevity, satisfaction and ability to support and develop themselves and their team. The course accepts up to 16 people at a time for an exclusive African experience.
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, revitalize and alter your perspective on life.
Not sure what this will look like? Maybe this will help: 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 waterfall tour, to explore the African wilderness
Imagine a lecture space where giraffe and elephant meander across the grasslands in front of you, workshops on a platform at the edge of the great Zambezi gorge, and teaching sessions aboard a boat as you float past crocodiles and hippos. 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 will enjoy their own luxury lodge room with king-size bed (shared rooms can be accommodated) with cool luxurious white linen, large sweeping mosquito nets, warm evening lighting and safari chic design. Rooms are ensuite with showers as well as outdoor showers to enjoy the African night sky. Each room has its own private deck overlooking the river. There is also 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 luxury and authentic African décor. The main deck of the lodge has sweeping views out to the horizon and gives a true sense of being in the midst of nature and totally disconnected from the bustle of normal life.
All food and drink is included in your stay. 3 meals a day are served buffet or la la carte style. We can cater for vegetarians and vegans, and most allergies. If you have complex food requirement, please contact us before booking to discuss how we can accommodate you. The lodge stocks a range of drinks and alcoholic beverages are served from 6pm onwards. Visit the Wallow Lodge Website
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 kicking back around the fire, under a sky of stars. You are guaranteed wonderful sightings of wildlife that come and drink from the waterhole in front of the property, although the wildlife is not able to come closer to the accommodation so your safety is ensured. The game drives never fail to disappoint as the area is rich with all species, including the big 5 and unique bird life.
From the lodge you can see plombs of spray, rising from the Victoria falls waterfall. This is the reason this waterfall is called “the smoke that thunders”, something you will feel up close and personal when we do a private tour of the waterfall itself, and get a chance to stand right in front of the thundering water. By attending this course you are supporting the great work of Wild Horizons and their Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust which provides vet treatment to injured wildlife and supports conservation across the Zambezi valley.
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 or lectures included) they are very welcome. All partners attending this course will be hosted on an all-inclusive basis including transfers, food and beverages. They will also join your safari activities including safari drives, the boat cruise, the elephant orphanage, and the high ropes. As well as the activities they do with you, whilst lectures occur they will be able to enjoy optional activities put on by the lodge such as bush walks, safari drives, town and community excursions. Or just kick back and relax by the pool!
A partner is required to share a room with a full paying course member. Rooms can be shared either with one king size bed, or the bed can be split into two 3/4 beds. Your friend or partner will join your safari activities including safari drives, the boat cruise, the elephant orphanage, and the high ropes. Additional the the activities they do with you, whilst lectures occur they will be able to enjoy optional activities put on by the lodge such as bush walks, safari drives, town and community excursions. Or just kick back and relax by the pool!
The cost of a partner ticket is £2,800.
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 11 am 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:
The cost of the course is £3,450
Included:
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20 hours of CE/CPD accredited learning
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Personalised Enneagram workbook
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6 nights Accommodation in 5* Wallow 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 drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
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All “Thrive missions” (safari drives, boat trips, canopy high ropes, elephant sanctuary visit, cultural initiation)
Excluded:
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Flights
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Visas
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Personal travel insurance
Want to contact us?
If you have any questions about the course, feel free to email help@worldwide-vets.org and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively you can head over to the "contact us" page of this website and fill in the form.
What next?
Once you have booked your ticket, a member of our team will email you within a couple of days with a comprehensive pre-departure planning pack. In the pack is all the smaller details like a packing list, how to apply for your visa, more information about booking flights and details about the daily schedule. We will also be on hand to help you with planning your trip and answering any question you have from time of booking until your arrival.
As well as the pre-departure pack, we will send you a traveler form, and here you will record your details for us, including the flights you book, any dietary requirements. The traveler form is returned to us before you arrive, ensuring you have a seamless arrival and stay in Africa.
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. 2023
"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.
Not only did THRIVE organize an amazing cultural experience (safari drives with highly knowledgeable guides, village visits, zip lining, phenomenal food and sunset cocktail hours in the bush overlooking vistas and wildlife) but provided the highest level of quality and value in continued education. This THRIVE course specifically concentrated on mental health in the veterinary profession and provided research-based tools to improve work-life balance, manage staff, and help clients navigate stressful times. An absolutely invaluable must for, I believe, any professional.
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. 2023
"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 !
Add all those things to some very well delivered CPD that was informative, practical and for me allowed me to develop and reflect on my management style. I could share experiences and learn from others in an open and safe learning environment discussing topics I feel are essential to the future of the veterinary profession.
This has to be how CPD should be done !"
Lawren Babek, DVM
Hong Kong, 2023
"Thrive Wellness CPD in Zimbabwe provided an incredible experience that left a lasting impact. One of the highlights was the opportunity to connect with veterinarians from around the globe who share a deep commitment to personal growth and professional development. It was truly inspiring to witness the dedication these individuals have towards bettering themselves and making a positive impact in the veterinary field. Moreover, the setting itself was nothing short of breathtaking. Surrounded by the stunning beauty of Zimbabwe, it created the perfect backdrop for moments of introspection, connecting with nature, and reflecting on the profound intersection of life, nature, and our work. This experience was a true privilege, reminding us of the importance of personal well-being and the profound influence it has on our veterinary practice."
Candace Fries
Michigan, USA. 2023
"I tagged along to Zimbabwe with my Veterinary friend who was attending the 2024 Thrive course at The Elephant Camp. All the planned activities and adventures far exceeded any and all expectations. I could not recommend this experience enough. From Zip Lining across the Zambezi River Gorge to interacting with the elephants at the orphanage…by far and away my favorite experiences were those had on our almost daily game drives. To see giraffes, elephants, zebras, baboons, hyenas and so on…in their natural habitat was something I will never forget. Turning a sharp corner and putting on the brakes on the bumpy, rocky, dirt road only to come face to face with a tall proud unflinching giraffe was breathtaking. Our drivers were also our guides and were incredibly knowledgeable, giving so much depth to the experience with their knowledge of the herds, animal traits, biology of the plants, local lore and cultural exchanges. Every drive was unique, every drive full of surprises and many ending with a sunset cocktail and a breathtaking front row panoramic view of Africa's animals and raw beauty. I am so very grateful."
