In May 2022 Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) spearheaded an innovative, hands-on training for African wildlife veterinarians to enhance the capacity of these conservation leaders. Whilst most African countries do not necessarily have a shortage of veterinarians, few have specialised skills or experience in wildlife veterinary medicine. GCF and its partners are determined to change this: they invited eight young veterinarians from five African countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda) to participate in an intensive 10-day hands-on wildlife immobilisation training course in Namibia. The course was fully funded by GCF and proved a great success.