Hero
Gaborone, Botswana

Botswanan Wildlife Conservation

STEM

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$5,850

Highlights

Dorms

Fieldwork with pros

Outdoor adventures

Service-learning (12 hrs)

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$5,850

Highlights

Dorms

Fieldwork with pros

Outdoor adventures

Service-learning (12 hrs)

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview
Live a conservationist dream! Spot incredible wildlife and explore Botswana's conservation challenges.

Explore the bushland, grasslands, and deltas in this world-renowned biodiversity hotspot alongside an expert guide and conservationist. Go on a game drive to view Africa’s iconic and elusive wild animals, like giraffes, elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, leopards, and more. Examine issues in protecting Botswana’s wildlife and ecosystems while balancing human needs. Conduct interviews and document conservation techniques in action as you gain first-hand experience in wildlife conservation.

Experience Botswanan life through music, dance, food, the arts and meet up with local youth to discover what life is like for a teenager in Botswana. Stay and learn in a living lab—the Mokolodi Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. While on excursion to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and the Okavango Delta, camp in pristine parks and immerse yourself in the area. By meeting new people and delving into conservation in the real world, gain a level of self-confidence you could never get in a classroom!

Why Choose This Program?

Explore

Have fun discovering Botswana's spectacular wildlife.

Network

Meet new friends and conservationists. Build your own community.

Get Inspired

Survey animals, plants, landscapes, and conservation efforts. Discover how to make a difference back home.

Destination
  • wilderness of gaborone
  • Group shot
  • Rhino in Gaborone

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. Harboring diverse flora and fauna, the nation has a longstanding commitment to minimizing environmental impact. Thirty eight percent of its lands are distinctly 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.

 
Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Objective

You will settle into your new community, discover Botswana’s ecological and conservation history, explore its physiography, engage in field trips, and go on your first game drive. You will start your project.

Highlights*

  • Marimba (a vibrant, rhythmic instrument) music class
  • Southern African dance class
  • Setswana language lessons 
  • Tree planting and ecosystem exploration

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will explore Botswana’s biodiversity, conservation efforts, and wildlife management challenges. You will travel to Khama Rhino Sanctuary and witness how communities work together to save critical endangered species.

Highlights*

  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary visit
  • Mokolodi Nature Reserve tour
  • Traditional cultural village visit
  • Discussions on gender roles, traditional culture, & marriage customs

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will travel for first-hand observations in the Okavango delta. Then, you will put your new skills into practice. For example, you will work with your group on the rural assessment of a local village to examine how community livelihoods impact wildlife conservation and vice versa. Present your project.

Highlights*

  • Okavango Delta trip for ecosystem exploration
  • Star gazing and Indigenous night sky knowledge
  • Storytelling by the fire with African folklore
  • Final project presentations 
  • Farewell dinner with local music and celebration

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Monday–Friday

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

  • Breakfast at the dorm 
  • Hands-on classes with expert instructors and conservation activists 
  • Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators 
  • Out and about for a cultural activity or workshop
  • Dinner at the dorm 

Weekend

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites 
  • Quality time with friends

Housing

  • Dorms at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, on the outskirts of Gaborone

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program.  

Activities

Top Rated Activities

Botswana

Habitat Care at Mokolodi Nature Reserve

The snake handler at Mokolodi Nature Reserve captivates your group with a close-up demonstration of Botswana’s incredible reptiles. As you watch a snake slither gracefully across the handler’s arm, a mix of curiosity and excitement ripples through the group. Laughter and gasps fill the room as you take turns holding the reptiles, creating unforgettable memories and perfect photo opportunities. It’s a thrilling introduction to the sanctuary’s work in preserving biodiversity and protecting these often-misunderstood creatures.

Afterward, you and your fellow Global Navigators roll up your sleeves and dive into the rewarding work of habitat care. Scrubbing vulture ponds and sweeping tortoise enclosures may not be glamorous, but it’s incredibly meaningful. Working alongside sanctuary staff, you help maintain clean, safe spaces for animals like the endangered Cape and White-backed vultures, contributing directly to their recovery.

This hands-on experience deepens your understanding of animal welfare and the ecosystems that sustain them. You leave inspired to advocate for wildlife conservation, knowing your efforts make a difference for these extraordinary species and their habitats.

Botswana

Three-Day Visit to the Okavango

The first rays of an African sunrise paint the Okavango Delta in golden hues as you and your peers embark on a thrilling morning safari. Guided by local experts who have spent their lives in this remarkable ecosystem, you spot elephants grazing, giraffes moving gracefully through the trees, and elusive big cats blending into their surroundings. Tracking animal footprints, identifying native plants, and learning about ecosystem dynamics immerse you in the delicate balance of the Delta. A picnic shared under the wide, open sky fosters companionship, making the experience even more unforgettable.

This three-day journey goes beyond breathtaking scenery. Guided by local community members, you explore how indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable practices shape life in the Delta. Evening discussions bring the day's lessons into focus, as you reflect on the complex relationship between wildlife, communities, and conservation.

The experience inspires a deeper commitment to protecting biodiversity. Whether stargazing at the brilliant Milky Way or marveling at the interconnectedness of life, you leave the Delta ready to champion sustainable conservation in your own way.

Testimonials

What Students Are Saying

  • "I met some of the best people I would've never had the chance to meet otherwise and experienced things that most people only see in National Geographic or on Animal Planet."

    Chloe M., Global Navigator Alum

  • "I really enjoyed seeing all of the animals on my trip. There was one day where we went on a game drive at Khama Rhino Sanctuary and saw many giraffes, zebras, rhinos, impalas as well as other animals. It was very exciting and wonderful to see these beautiful creatures in the wild."

    Cameron M., Global Navigator Alum

  • "I can't believe I got to experience the trip some people save for and dream of their whole lifetime at 16 and with an amazing price/scholarship. I got to see and do so much and make some amazing friends both from Botswana and all across the US. Honestly probably the highlight of my life so far!"

    Gemma S., Global Navigator Alum

  • "The most memorable experience for me was going to the orphanage. It was a very heartwarming experience. I definitely think this was the high point for many students on the trip."

    Bella C., Global Navigator Alum

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Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • 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.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

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 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $5,850
Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $5,850

Ready to change your life?

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)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Basetsana Maposa

Center Director

Basetsana Maposa returned to Botswana in 2008 after spending 10 years living in the United States. She has extensive experience working in health, youth leadership, human rights, and educational development.

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.

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