VETERINARY nurse Nicole Gilmore swapped pet cats in Okehampton for safari lions this month, when she was chosen to experience a dream 'working' holiday in South Africa.
Nicole, a nurse at Castle Veterinary Group in Okehampton, was chosen by pet food manufacturer Hill's Pet Nutrition to see the sights of South Africa on a working holiday of a lifetime.
Nicole was selected to take part in a unique safari experience, on a trip packed with excitement. She not only met with some of South Africa's world-renowned veterinary experts, but also took part in a range of remarkable activities including whale watching, microchipping of rhinos, culinary tours, safaris and visiting South African veterinary practices.
Nicole said: 'We really did experience everything. We ate a traditional meal with the Shangaan tribespeople, we worked and learned with South African vets from around the country, spent a night in a luxury safari lodge, and even micro-chipped rhinos so they can be tracked and protected.
'As a British vet nurse I don't often find myself being followed by three tons of black rhino, or wake up to baboons on my balcony — but I truly did have the experience of a lifetime.'
The competition to select a British vet to send to South Africa was held by Hill's Pet Nutrition to celebrate the launch of a new prescription diet for cats.