South Africa: Communities, Wildlife, and Conservation in Post-Apartheid South Africa - CONS 454 (6 credits)

This new program takes students into the heart of the African savanna biome to study communities, wildlife, and conservation, and learn from rural community members. It will offer insights into the innovative forms of community-based natural resource management now emerging in South Africa. Our goal will be to understand the new landscapes of conservation associated with post-apartheid South Africa and, in the process, to explore the wicked problems faced by the millions of people living in poverty on the edge of protected areas. Unlike many overseas programs in the region, this is not a tour. It combines some very adventurous travel with detailed field experience, data gathering, and long-term partnerships with rural South African communities. The main focus is on social-ecological issues facing the 2.9 million or so people living around the edges of one of the world’s great game reserves: the Kruger National Park. Flying in to a research base in the southern part of the Park, we will begin by interacting with community leaders in Kruger’s southern border villages, studying land use/land cover change and rewilding in the Kruger National Park region, post-apartheid land restitution, rural resource harvesting, and human-wildlife conflict. Moving through Kruger itself, travelling in open safari vehicles, we’ll experience the reserve’s remarkable savanna species diversity. Working with South African National Parks staff, we will examine current issues around elephant and lion management, and the racial and economic complexities surrounding rhino poaching. The program offers an intimate and interactive experience of different models of “decolonized” conservation management: innovative adaptive management within a national park; work with unarmed anti-poaching teams of black women in private reserves; and an emergent community-conservation project that is returning land to tribal authorities in the post-apartheid land claims process.

General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must:

• Be in good-standing in their faculty (as defined by home faculty)
• In the year leading up to the Global Seminar, have full-time student status (as defined by home faculty)
• Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e., eligible for 3rd or 4th year standing)
• Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying
• Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program
• Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating

Final selection will be made by the lead faculty program directors. Space in the program may be limited.

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Pre-departure and course preparation

March 15 - May 13: preparation period that includes assigned readings, pre-departure orientation, and course setup to support the in-country field school. Logistics and safety expectations are reviewed prior to travel.

In-country field school

May 14 - June 5: field-based learning in South Africa. Days combine instructor-led activities, site visits, and group work focused on communities, wildlife, and conservation practice in the Greater Kruger National Park region.

Post-travel and overall dates

June 6 - June 15: final wrap-up and submissions. Overall program dates are March 15 - June 15, 2026.

Field activities

Field lectures and seminars, research activities and data gathering in the savanna biome; site visits and discussions with community leaders and conservation practitioners in the Kruger National Park region.

Housing

Shared accommodations arranged by the program.

Transportation

Program-related ground transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary; open safari vehicles are used for certain activities inside Kruger National Park.

South African National Parks (game guards, field research permits, support, guest lectures); Nsasani Trust (in-country administration and support).

Approximate program fees: $9000-9500*

The final fee depends on the number of students enrolled. All Global Seminars only run if a minimum number of students participate.

Go Global Award

All eligible students in this Global Seminar will automatically receive a $1,000 Go Global Award. No separate application is required.

Global Pathfinder Award

The Global Pathfinder Award supports students who face barriers to participating in study abroad. It provides $2,000 for Summer Abroad, Global Seminar, or Research Abroad programs. Students who have not previously participated in Go Global and who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Students successful in their Pathfinder application will receive this award instead of the $1000 Go Global Award. The awards do not stack. Learn more about the Global Pathfinder Award

Go Global Sustainability Award

Students who demonstrate a plan for sustainable travel, an interest in climate action, and engagement with UBC’s sustainability initiatives may be eligible for a $1,000 Sustainability Award. This award is offered in addition to the Go Global Award.
Learn more about the Go Global Sustainability Award

All travel and program activities involve risk of harm to participants. Go Global and Seminar program leads take reasonable precautions to reduce risks. However, not all harms can be anticipated or prevented. 

While travelling on UBC programs, students have a responsibility for their own safety and the safety of the group.

Some common issues for travellers include:

• Illness and injuries (e.g. respiratory illnesses, flu, food poisoning, sprained ankles, etc.)
• Fatigue and heat exhaustion
• Violence like robbery, or gender- and race-based harassment or attacks, especially in urban areas
• Traffic accidents
• Lost documents (passports, credit cards, etc.)

Before Applying:

• Get to know the places you will be travelling by using available resources like Global Affairs Canada travel reports.
• Consider your own mental and physical health alongside what you know about the conditions during the program (e.g. how physical is the program? What are the living conditions? What can I do to prepare myself?)

Before departure:  

• Participate in all pre-departure activities offered by Go Global and your program teaching team to learn about the program and ways to prevent and respond to incidents.
• Ensure you have adequate travel medical insurance that will cover you in the location and for the duration of your trip.
• Be aware of how to use your travel medical insurance, if you need it, and where to access medical care or other emergency assistance in the locations where you will be travelling. 

During the program: 

• If you don’t feel safe, say something! Let your program leads know how you feel, or about incidents that occur. Don’t hesitate to contact Go Global during your program.
• Know your own needs: be aware of your own mental and physical health and your limits. Communicate with your program lead and group about making adjustments, as needed. 

Public health: COVID-19 and other diseases

Students and faculty are required to comply with the entry requirements of the host country, regulations of transportation carriers, and any local public health orders. These rules might require vaccinations (e.g. for COVID-19, yellow fever, etc.) to enter the country or to participate in certain program activities. Some places may require masking, testing or isolation in various circumstances. It is your responsibility to research and comply with any requirements.

COVID-19 and other infections can spread easily in a group setting. Most programs involve shared accommodations. Unless required by local public health authorities, isolation for those infected during the program may not be possible. 
 
Review local requirements before applying and before departure. Check the Global Affairs Canada Advisory under Entry Requirements for your Global Seminar destination to learn more. Keep in mind that program conditions can vary and rules can change before or during your trip.