For months, SYMCO 2026 was just a mountain of spreadsheets and logistics on my laptop. But that changed during our planning weekend. We spent the night on a platform directly above a rhino orphanage, and in the total silence of the bush, the only thing I could hear was the rhythmic breathing and the soft, occasional squeaks of the orphans below us. Away from the hustle of the city and the stress of organising, that moment brought everything back into focus. It reminded me exactly why I fought to be on this committee. It’s hard to put into words how special this country is; South Africa has a way of getting under your skin, with its vast horizons and a raw, ancient energy that you can’t find anywhere else on earth. Hearing those rhinos in the dark made me realise how lucky we are to be the ones standing between these creatures and extinction.
SYMCO – WILDLIFE SYMPOSIUM 2026
Working with wildlife in Africa is a lesson in humility. It is inherently unpredictable; a plan can change in a heartbeat based on a call from a ranger, the movement of a herd, or a sudden change in the weather. That unpredictability is exactly why it is so difficult to describe the level of excitement we feel. We are preparing to step into the world of South Africa’s big game, where the medicine is as wild as the patients. We are incredibly fortunate to be working with companies that are hugely dedicated to this cause and that live and breathe conservation. We are even preparing for the gritty realities of disease control, working with Afrivet on vital disinfection protocols for Foot-and-Mouth disease.
The expedition itself is a massive undertaking, covering over 1,500 kilometres. Our route is finally set: we strike out from the halls of Onderstepoort into the rugged terrain of Hartbeespoort and the highveld of Clarens. From the Free State, we make the long haul to the subtropical coast of St. Lucia before heading into the deep bush of the Lowveld, traversing the Kruger National Park and Hoedspruit before circling back through Mokopane and Dinokeng. The expedition offers a rare opportunity to learn from the field’s leading specialists and gain hands-on insight into the conservation of Africa’s iconic species, including buffalo, rhino, lion, and the secretive pangolin.
Beyond the clinical work, the part that makes this symposium so unmatched is the cultural bridge we’re building. Seeing fifty students from entirely different corners of the world come together to share their heritage while standing in the middle of the African bush is a feeling you can’t find anywhere else. Between the technical challenges, there are the moments that truly stick: the opening banquets, the high-stakes quiz nights, beach braais under the stars, and the culture evening. To the delegates: bring your curiosity and your sturdiest boots. The bakkies are packed, the map is ready, wild Africa is waiting.
The SYMCO 2026 trip will be taking place 18 June – 5 July 2026