Looking after our Communities

The Southern African Wildlife College has for many years welcomed students from around the world who have visited from universities and other training institutes to experience the College, Africa and issues related to their degrees.

This year we are looking forward to visits from Virginia and Michigan State Universities from the USA, Katho University from Belgium and the Tshwane University of Technology from here in South Africa.

In the past students have joined us from Arizona, Ferrum, Texas, A&M, UNISA, Grand Valley, Kansas and Queensland Univiersities.

Students are usually studying environmental or conservation related topics, or public health initiatives, and during their stay are given the chance to engage with the students studying here at the College as well as visiting the local communities and interacting with the projects the College oversees there.

We tailor-make educational trips to meet any group of individuals particular needs, with a focus on both fun and learning experiences.

LOOKING AFTER OUR COMMUNITIES
An integral part of each educational tour we design is a visit to the local communities so students can see what life in a rural village in South Africa is really like, and for them to appreciate how tourism and industry cannot grow unless they also benefit the communities within which they operate.

The College supports a number of local community groups, including a group of children whose parents are out of work, and who perform traditional Shangaan dancing as an entrepreneurial enterprise to collect monies for their school fees, and we utilize these different groups for cultural evening experiences held at the College. This is an invaluable source of income to these community members.

If you are interested in organizing an educational tour to the Southern African Wildlife College, please see our sample itinerary below, and contact Chris Kafoteka on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +27 (0) 15 793 7300.

The itinerary below is just a sample of what can be arranged. This itinerary does not focus on a topic specific theme. Groups normally choose certain specific topics that are required to be covered during the tour as it forms part of the further training and supports the current syllabus of the specific group.

LIST OF TOPIC SPECIFIC PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES

•  Alien Biota
• Anti-Poaching
• Bovine Tuberculosis
• Feline Tuberculosis
• Carnivore Management
• Community-Wildlife Conflict and Interactions
• Wildlife Damage Control
• Wildlife Electric Fencing
• Erosion Management and Rehabilitation
• Eco-Tourism and Conservation
• Endangered Wildlife (Research & Management)
• Fire Management
• Game Censuses (Reasons & Methodology)
• Herbivore and Habitat Management
• Infrastructure Management on Nature Reserves
• Management of National Parks
• Management of Private Nature Reserves
• Recreational use of natural water systems and catchment management
• Veld management practices
• Veterinary research (role and importance in wildlife management)
• Wildlife Diseases (management practices)
• Water Provision (artificial)
• Social Structures and Behavior of African Elephants
• Elephants and the effect they have on Biodiversity
• History of the African Elephant
• Hunting and Conservation
• Importance of Scientific Research in Wildlife Management Practices
• Cultural Heritage Site Management
• The importance of environmental education and certain practices
• Ornithology
• Herpetology
• Animal Behavior
• African ecology
• Conservation Biology

LIST OF ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED AND ARRANGED

• Kapama Cheetah Breeding Project
• Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
• Reptile Park Tour and Demonstrations
• Mokwalo Hunting Safaris – Tour & Guided Activities
• River Rafting
• Cliff Jumping
• Horse Riding
• Abseiling
• Bridge Swinging
• Helicopter Flights 
• Rafting
• Hot Air Ballooning
• Tribal Village Tours
• Mining Tours
• Elephant Museum Tour
• Game Capture
• Rural Community Visit and projects
• Visits to Private Nature Reserves in surrounding area
• Tour to God’s Window, Berlin, Lisbon and Mac-Mac falls
• Lion Breeding Project tour
• Wildlife Game Drives
• Bush Walks in Big 5 Area

If there are any other topics or subjects that you would like to be covered during your educational tour, which are not mentioned in the list, please feel free to contact us regarding the possibility of including it in your itinerary.

CONSERVATION STUDY FIELDS

Alternatively, you can select any of the following study fields or a combination thereof and we design an itinerary accordingly to compliment your current syllabus and specific needs.

The following study fields provide topic-specific presentations and lectures regarding certain aspects concerning nature conservation and wildlife management practices, within both the private sector and national parks.

Wildlife & Resource Management:
This field covers the basic core functions of any conservationist, resource manager, park manager, scientist, researcher, ecologists and game ranger. Aspects ranging from law enforcement practices to artificial water provision and alien biota are covered within this specific field.

Social Ecology:
Community development and the involvement of conservation organizations in communities are discussed as well as the effect that conservation areas have on the rural communities and its people.

Reserve Infrastructure Maintenance:
All infrastructure maintenance and development tasks and duties are discussed and if possible supported by practical demonstrations and excursions. Topics range from wildlife fencing to sewerage and waste water systems.

Research & Veterinary Services:
A more scientific, but definitely a very interesting field. Discussions on wildlife diseases, game capture practices and important research practices are conducted by well qualified veterinarians and researchers from both the private sector and National Parks Board.

Elephant Management:
More in depth study of especially the African Elephant, behavioral studies, population dynamics, etc. are covered in this field. This specific study field can be linked with Wildlife & Resource Management to provide a more in-depth and complete programme for learners.

Development and Management:
This field provides a valuable supporting role to any of the other fields, especially; Wildlife & Resource Management and Reserve Infrastructure Maintenance as it place everything in perspective and demonstrate how the last two fields are linked with each other.