Botswanan Wildlife Conservation
The Take-Aways
Real-World Experience
Survey animal behavior, plant species, physical landscapes, human attitudes, and conservation efforts. Come home ready to get involved in wildlife and ecosystem protection in your community.
Credentials for Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a portfolio of work to showcase your accomplishments, and service learning hours documenting your engagement with the community.
Life Skills and New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication skills. Enjoy a broader world view and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.
45
Hours of Expert Instruction
12
Hours of Service Learning in the Community
1
Life-Changing Experience
The Destination
Welcome to Botswana, the world leader in wilderness conservation.
Botswana is one of Africa’s most beautiful and biodiverse countries. Located in southern Africa, it is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, creating an arid landscape in much of the country. Thirty eight percent of its lands are reserved for conservation of its fragile ecosystems and teeming wildlife, including the Mokolodi Nature Reserve where you will live during your stay.
In the north of the country, the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, one of your excursions, is an unparalleled wilderness experience and UNESCO world heritage site.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Gaborone.
Weekly Learning Goals
Settle into your new community, discover Botswana’s ecological and conservation history, explore its physiography and go on your first game drive. Start your Project.
Explore Botswana’s biodiversity, conservation efforts and wildlife management challenges. Travel for first-hand observations in the Okavango delta.
Put your new skills into practice. For example, work with your group on the rural appraisal of a local village to examine how community livelihoods impact wildlife conservation and vice versa. Present your Project.
Program Blogs
Goodbye Session Two Global Navigators
To our Session Two Students: Hi Friends, Alrighty, y’all already know we think that all of you are absolutely awesome…but strap in because we're gonna say it one more time... keep reading
The Okavango Delta
Lions, cheetahs, elephants, oh my! That’s how it goes right?...well that fits perfectly with our time in the Okavango Delta! Monday we went on a game drive and were wowed... keep reading
Cooking and Cuttin’ Up Trees
After a very busy few days, the Global Navigators had time to wind down on Sunday. However, they stopped by the kitchen in the morning to help the Mokolodi staff... keep reading
Sample Activities
Just Imagine All the Fun You’ll Have!
- Cruise the many channels of the Okavango Delta and listen for the sounds of hippos in their pools.
- Share the rhythms of Botswana during dance and drum lessons. Marimba, too.
- Help out at a sanctuary for rescued animals—maybe you’ll get to feed an orphaned baby elephant or care for a wounded vulture.
- Try your hand at playing the traditional Botswanan board games mhele and morabaraba.
- Experience Setswana traditional life at Bahurutse Cultural Village and participate in a kgotla, a public meeting.
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Dates & Fees
Eligibility
Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
This program involves engaging in moderate to high intensity physical activities such as nature walks, and extended observational time outdoors.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2024 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $5,750 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2024 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $5,750 |
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)