The Problem in Context
Northern Tanzania, home of world famous national parks such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro conservation area offers a tightly packed hub of wildlife conservation. This is an extremely scenic area and is the center of tourism in the East African region. Traditional pastoralism is also practiced here in what has been the home of the Maasai people for centuries. Northern Tanzania is a place where many local communities interact with wildlife on a daily basis. For these reasons, this area provides an excellent opportunity to examine some of the challenges and opportunities of conservation in Tanzania, comparing them to those in Kenya. Students will be exposed to a rich array of issues related to wildlife management and conservation, presented by SFS faculty and guests who have field experience and knowledge of the area. Field lectures and field trips will comprise a critical component of this summer program.

Program Focus
Students will study conservation issues in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem of northern Tanzania, focusing on the influence of bio-physical and socio-economic factors on wildlife and other natural resources within this ecosystem. Students will conduct field exercises in large mammal identification and animal behavior, the relationships between vegetation and wildlife dispersal, and perspectives on wildlife by rural community residents. Field trips to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro-Serengeti ecosystem, and local communities will round out their understanding of the conservation and resource management issues of the region. Tourism will be an important theme as we examine the integration of wildlife conservation and human development in East Africa.

Program Details

Credits 4 environmental studies credits, 4 weeks Dates July 12 - August 10 Location/Base Haven Nature Safari Camp, Tanzania  Program Tuition and Fees Total Cost: $5,070 Tuition: $2,820 Program fees: $2,250 (fees include room, board, local travel, and park entrance fees. Fee excludes airfare). Prerequisites College undergraduates: no academic prerequisite. High school students: 16 years of age, good academic standing, completion of at least junior year of high school. Financial Aid Need-based scholarships, loans, and travel grants available. Visit our financial aid section for more information. Field Lectures & Exercises -Learn about social organization, basic taxonomy, and conservation status of charismatic common large mammals in African savanna ecosystems. -Travel on field lectures to study changing land uses among pastoral communities and implications of these to wildlife and environmental conservation. -Practice field observation techniques for large mammal identification and behavioral studies and game counting techniques for assessment of large mammal species diversity. -Develop recommendations and potential solutions to conservation challenges in Tarangire-Lake Manyara ecosystem. Community Focus Our program in Tanzania is oriented toward working with the Maasai to help them preserve their traditional way of life and peacefully co-exist with Tanzania’s important wildlife population. Students have many opportunities to learn about Tanzanian culture and interact with local communities, including the Maasai. Farmers, ranchers, and park wardens may be interviewed during academic projects, and students often participate in sporting events and community service activities.
Language of Instruction English Application Deadline Rolling admissions Courses Summer students are registered in one academic course accredited through Boston University: EE (NS) 350 Community Wildlife Management (4 credits) - See our course description page for more details. Apply Now

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