AU Forestry and Wildlife -
Wildlife Management in Southern Africa

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Students will engage in many of Southern Africa’s most pressing wildlife management issues, participate in community development projects, and gain an understanding and appreciation for the history and cultures of Southern Africa. The major components of this course are as follows:

1. Management of Wildlife - Managers in Africa deal with many problems faced by wildlife managers throughout the world, while other issues they face are uniquely African. We will use lectures, reading, and trips to different management areas to understand the issues surrounding management of wildlife on Africa’s protected and native lands.

2. Conservation of Natural Resources - From field trips and field research activities, students will be exposed to natural resource conservation challenges in southern Africa and the linkages between culture, society, and ecology.

3. Culture of Southern Africa - Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the region’s cultures and history through course field trips, lectures, readings, participation in community development projects, and interaction with Africans.

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to apply for this program if you:

• Are 19 years of age or older.
• Have a 2.25 grade point average for undergraduates; 3.0 for graduate students.
• Undergraduate students in Wildlife Ecology and Management OR Wildlife Pre-Vet.
• Completion of WILD 2050 and 3280 or permission from instructor.

IMPORTANT DATES

Summer 2020

• 30 July 2020 – Travel to South Africa
• 14 August 2020 – Return to USA

COURSES

Students will earn 3 credits for WILD 3810: South African Wildlife Management during the fall term. Students will engage in many of Southern Africa’s most pressing wildlife management issues, participate in community development projects, and gain an understanding and appreciation for the history and cultures of Southern Africa. 

COSTS

Download a copy of the FW.SouthAfrica_Swaziland.Budget.2019.pdf

The program fee includes course credit for WILD 3810 (3 credits), all airfare and on-site travel logistics, housing accommodations throughout the program, most meals, cultural activities, program orientation, cancellation insurance, and the Auburn University International Insurance (through United Healthcare Global). The program fee does not include some meals or personal spending money.

• 11 April 2020: Payment installment 1 billed to eBill.
• 3 May 2020: Payment installment 1 due. There will be no refund after this date.
• 9 May 2020: Payment installment 2 billed to eBill.
• 7 June 2020: Payment installment 2 due. There will be no refund after this date.  

HOUSING

Auburn students will be housed in tents every night except for the first night in Johannesburg. The group will be spending the majority of time out in the bush, so students should be prepared for remote living conditions. Phone and internet service will not be accessible during most of this time, however, the group will have guides which can be reached in case of emergency.

LOCATION

Eswatini (Swaziland) 

Students will spend 9 nights at the Savanna Research Center located on the Mbuluzi Game Reserve in Northeast Swaziland. For more information, please visit the Savanna Research Center website.

South Africa

Students will spend 3 nights in Kruger National Park located in Northeast South Africa. For more information, please visit the Kruger National Park website. 

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

If you do not have a passport, please go to www.travel.state.gov for the nearest local passport office and forms. If you already have a passport, please check the expiration date.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months following your scheduled time abroad and must have two totally blank (unstamped) visa pages to enter South Africa.

YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD:

Students who have traveled to WHO-designated yellow fever countries are required to present their current and valid International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) (commonly called a “yellow card”). This requirement is imposed on travelers flying to South Africa via yellow fever countries, even when passengers transiting a yellow fever country do not deplane in the yellow fever country (e.g., flights stopping in Senegal, Ghana, or Kenya), or if the plane makes an unscheduled landing in a yellow fever country. As a precaution, all travelers to South Africa should carry their original yellow vaccination card.

VISA REGULATION:

• U.S. Citizens do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days in South Africa, and 30 days in Swaziland.

• Non-U.S. Citizens should verify entry requirements for South Africa and Swaziland.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Contact faculty listed above.