Tanzania
The Center for Wildlife Management Studies
Programs
Housing
Research
Community
Study Abroad in Tanzania
Have you ever wanted to go on safari and observe African wildlife in their natural habitat, explore some of Africa’s most famous national parks, or learn about the centuries-old traditions of the Iraqw, Hadzabe, and Maasai peoples?
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or looking for your first trip to another country, studying abroad is an important component of your college career. Living abroad gives you the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures, gaining important global perspectives, discovering new things about yourself, and building lifelong friendships.
Our programs in Tanzania take place in world-famous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas, and Indigenous communities and small villages. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict, tourism impacts, and climate change. Tanzania has made progress in protecting its large populations of charismatic wildlife, but this rich landscape faces many challenges. Our research concentrates on understanding the impacts of climate change, habitat fragmentation, and competition for resources and promotes successful coexistence between humans and the country’s incredible wildlife.
Tanzania
From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the towering peaks of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania offers an unparalleled opportunity to study predator-prey dynamics and wildlife management. Examine how conservation efforts balance the needs of iconic species like lions, elephants, and cheetahs with the challenges of human-wildlife conflict in one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife habitats.
Programs
Semester
Wildlife Management Studies
15 Weeks
18 Credits
Fall 2024
Sep 4 - Dec 15
In the Field
Spring 2025
Jan 27 - May 9
Open
See Program Costs
Program Costs
- Tuition
- Room & Board
- Total
Summer Session 1
Fundamentals of Wildlife Management
4 Weeks
4 Credits
Summer 2025
Jun 2 - Jul 1
Open
See Program Costs
Program Costs
- Tuition
- Room & Board
- Total
Summer Session 2
Carnivores of the African Plains
4 Weeks
4 Credits
Summer 2025
Jul 7 - Aug 5
Open
See Program Costs
Program Costs
- Tuition
- Room & Board
- Total
SFS was the first step on my career journey and I feel an enormous amount of gratitude to the program. There is no way I would be where I am today without SFS, and I am still in touch with my professors from the program.
- Arjun, University of Maryland
Choosing this study abroad program was hands down the best decision I made during my college career. It was such a unique experience and one that I felt perfectly encompassed what studying abroad is all about. The safari drives and overnight expeditions in and near the national parks were always something I looked forward to and will surely never forget… I mean how often do you get to ride around in open-top Jeeps collecting data on African wildlife?!
- Emily, Lafayette College
I absolutely loved SFS Tanzania. The staff and faculty are all amazing, and you are able to have so many unique experiences that you can’t get anywhere else! Also, you really feel like you’re making a difference in conservation, because the community really takes into account what your DR research shows at the end of the semester. I would absolutely recommend this program to any and all who are interested in wildlife, conservation, or both!
- Hannah, Iowa State University
Where You'll be Living
Learn to live the pole pole lifestyle at the SFS Center in Tanzania. Surrounded by world-famous national parks and wildlife, it’s the perfect home base for expeditions into the field. Campus is reminiscent of summer camp, with plenty of outdoor and communal spaces, while the small, friendly community of Rhotia is just a short walk away.
- Dorm living in four-person cabins
- Classroom, library, and computer lab
- Kitchen and dining hall, and on-site cooking staff
- Volleyball, gazebo, fire pit, and lounge areas
- Community soccer games and local running routes
- Markets in nearby towns of Rhotia, Karatu, and Mto Wa Mbu
PRogram Costs
Study abroad is an investment in yourself – you’ll return home with new experiences, skills, knowledge, and friendships that will stay with you for the rest of your life. SFS program costs cover a variety of expenses, including:
- Pre-program advising and on-site orientation
- Tuition and research fees
- Housing at the field station and on excursions
- Daily meals and snacks
- Airport transfers (for arrival/departure)
- Field excursions and cultural activities
- Student success and wellness team on site
- 24/7 mental health and well-being support
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance
- Official transcript processing
Financial Aid
We know cost can be one of the biggest barriers to studying abroad. At SFS, we’re committed to making our programs accessible to students which is why we award a generous amount in need-based financial aid each year. Our Admissions Team has worked with thousands of students and are here to answer your questions about the SFS aid process, aid available through your home school, and funding from external sources.
SFS Financial Aid: Need-based aid packages typically consist of a combination of scholarships, grants, and zero- and low-interest loans. SFS matches Federal Pell Grant funding for students applying to an SFS semester program.
Home School Aid: Be sure to ask your home school study abroad office or financial aid office what financial aid resources might be available to support your study abroad experience.
External Funding Opportunities: Organizations such as the Fund for Education Abroad or the Gilman International Scholarship Program award scholarships to students going abroad. These can be a great opportunity to reduce the cost of your program even more.
Research
Research at the SFS Center for Wildlife Management Studies focuses on wildlife management, natural resource conservation, community socioeconomics and development, and human-wildlife conflict and conflict mitigation. Students use national parks, community conservation areas, and critical migratory corridors as field laboratories to study the behavioral ecology of Tanzania’s wildlife populations firsthand. We also work with local communities including Maasai, Iraqw, and Hadzabe tribal communities to examine current socioeconomic issues and environmental conservation challenges.
Our research focuses primarily on the following themes:
- Wildlife management & conservation
- Climate change impacts and adaptations
- African large mammal ecology and behavior
- Behavioral ecology of carnivores
- Reptile ecology and conservation
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Community-based conservation approaches
- Natural resource management
- Rural livelihoods and land use
Community
Rhotia, Tanzania
SFS is an active part of the Rhotia community, where we have been based for over a decade.
We have built long-term, collaborative relationships in the communities around the Center, and developed our research plans based on the environmental issues they and the surrounding ecosystems face. Throughout the program, students spend the day with a local family, attend cultural festivals and other community events, visit village markets, and enjoy soccer and volleyball games with community members.
At the end of each semester program, we host a Community Research Night where select students will present their research findings to the community. SFS research data is shared with the community, national parks and conservation areas, local NGOs, and the Tanzanian government.
Meet the Tanzania Team
