Overview In Trimester 2 of 2018, Zoology will be running an Overseas Study Program that will give students the opportunity to visit some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing locations in Botswana primarily and, excitingly for this trip, Zambia. This Study Program was first run in 2015, and students regularly see several endangered species on the trip, with this year promising to be no different, culminating in a walking safari at Mosi oa Tunya National Park to view White Rhino in the wild. We will also see the spectacular Victoria Falls, cross the Zambesi River by boat, cruise the Okavango Delta for an afternoon and have an excellent chance of seeing all of Africa's Big 5: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard, as well as some other exciting wildlife such as Hunting Dogs, Meerkats and Nile Crocodiles. Trips regularly see over 30 mammal species, with over 40 species seen across all trips to date. More than 200 different bird species are also regularly seen, with the list of avian species seen over all tours now tops 250. While the sheer numbers of animals viewed and the spectacular scenery are reason enough to travel, the purpose of the trip is to allow students to view and measure real world zoology in action, as students are responsible for developing a research plan, organising and carrying out data collection over 7 different research projects during the trip. We also find that students tend to habituate to the way familiar animals solve the day-to-day problems of finding food, avoiding predators and attracting mates. Overseas study programs like these open up a whole new ecosystem full of novel animals to students, and the lessons learned can be applied equally well back home in Australia. In short, we find that while the trips are highly memorable, and the learning experience is one that will also stay with students, shaping the way they view zoological interactions for evermore. Teaching Staff Associate Professor Paul McDonald is the Unit Coordinator and Fieldtrip Leader for this program. Also travelling this year will be Dr Graham Hall, who will form the second member of the teaching team. Both Paul and Graham have travelled to these areas numerous times and are familiar with the local wildlife and areas. Their interests are also complimentary, with Paul having expertise with avian biodiversity and behaviour, whilst Graham has had a long interest in invertebrate zoology and ungulates. Both also have extensive First Aid training in the extremely unlikely event that it will be needed. Group size and accommodation A total of 10 students will be selected to go on the trip, which will also include a highly skilled Guide who doubles as our driver. Teaching staff and our Guide will help students identify animals encountered, but the aim is that students develop their own identification skills during the trip so that by the end you are able to clearly separate your banded and dwarf mongooses, or Cape Turtle and Red-eyed Doves. Students travel in twin-berth accommodation, so share a tent during the safari, and a shared hotel room when we are staying in a town (Maun, Livingstone or Johannesburg).
The bulk of the trip is spent camping, and students are expected to help put up their own tent and sleeping bed, however a mattress, pillow and blanket are provided. Several staff will also look after the campsite, so that when we return from game drives showers and toilets will be available. Camp staff also cook meals, with tea and coffee provided. We will purchase bottled water and a small selection of soft drink and juice to enjoy as well. Dietary requirements can be catered for if communicated in advance. Itinerary The trip runs Sydney to Sydney that is teaching staff will meet students in Sydney International Airport and the trip will likewise finish once we land in Sydney on the return leg. Students are responsible for organising their own transport to and from Sydney International Airport. Key travel dates are: 27 July: Fly Sydney to Johannesburg, South Africa, overnight in a hotel near airport. Breakfast provided and accommodation included, however students will need to purchase their own dinner and drinks (at the hotel restuarant). 28 July: Fly from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana. Tour guide will collect us from airport, then we travel to Planet Baobab for two nights camping. Speciality that we are looking for here: meerkat and possibly cheetah. 30 July: Two nights camping Nxai Pan National Park, looking for elephant, springbok, giraffe, lion and, if we're lucky, bushbaby. 1 August: Travel back to Maun and overnight at the Sedia hotel. That evening we'll travel to a cultural evening to experience local food, dancing and hear the local's perspectives on wildlife in Botswana. Breakfast and dinner provided. 2 August: Travel to Moremi Game Reserve, Xakanaxa region and camp for two nights. This includes an Okavango Delta River Cruise where we will aim to see hippopotamus, Cape clawless otters and Nile crocodile up close. 4 August: Travel to Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai River region for two nights camping. In this area we will be looking for leopard and African hunting dogs, as well as storks, fish eagles and greater kudu. 6 August: Two nights camping in the Savuti region of Chobe River National Park. Highlights here might include dwarf mongoose, African wildcat and a visit to rock paintings that are at least 2000 years old. 8 August: Travel to and spend our final two nights camping on the Chobe River within Chobe River National Park. We'll be able to see across the river into Namibia and get a feel for the problems that arise when animals transverse international boundaries. We will take a river cruise to observe elephants swimming across the river to reach more palatable food, while also viewing a raft of wetland species, including ducks, kingfishers, herons and water monitors. 10 August: We will cross the border by boat, travelling over the mighty Zambesi River into Zambia. We will then stay at the Waterfront Hotel in Livingstone for two nights (breakfast included, students to purchase other meals). On the first afternoon we will visit Victoria Falls, while on the second morning we will take a walking safari to view White Rhino. 12 August: We will take a shuttle bus to the airport, flying from Livingstone airport, into Johannesburg before landing in Sydney on the afternoon of the 13 th August.
Costs that are covered The cost for the 2018 Overseas Study Program is $8,090AUD. This fee is paid via a 20% deposit that will be due in late April, and then the remaining figure is paid in late May. Unfortunately, as we must pay several costs in the currency of US dollars, there may be a small final adjustment fee required prior to travel if the Australian dollar plummets prior to travel, however we will provide as much notice as possible in this unlikely event occurring. This fee will cover all accommodation, flights, on-ground transport and meals whilst on the safari legs of the trip. It also covers VISA entry costs for Botswana and Zambia. Breakfast whilst staying in hotels is included, but students will need to purchase their own dinner as indicated. Tea/coffee, water and a selection of soft drinks will be provided and are included in these costs. Additional costs Items that are not covered by the travel fee include any alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, dinners or room service items purchased whilst in hotels. These are to be covered by the student traveller. Students will also be required to pay entry fees for National Parks: Victoria Falls is currently $30USD per person, and Mosi oa Tunya $10USD per person. More information will be provided prior to travel, but students should take some US currency to pay for these items. Students will need a valid passport that has at least 6 months validity remaining by the end of the trip to travel, and are responsible for any medical vaccinations that they may wish to have prior to travel (please see your doctor and obtain their advice as to what might be required in your specific case). These costs must be covered by the student. OS-Help To help offset the financial costs of the trip, students may wish to apply for an OS-Help loan, which in 2018 will provide $6,635 to applicants. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 48 credit points of their degree and not been awarded more than one other OS-HELP amount previously. Students will also need to be in a Commonwealth Supported Place and be an Australian Citizen. New Zealand citizens may also be eligible in certain scenarios. See here for further details, but please do not apply for OS-Help until you have been notified that your application for the trip was successful: http://www.une.edu.au/study/international/international-mobility/exchange/uneinternational-travel-overseas-as-part-of-your-une-degree/forms/une-os-help-loanprocedure
Student responsibilities Students will be expected to uphold the UNEs Code of Conduct whilst participating in the Overseas Study Program, and to participate fully in the data collection of the trip. Failure to do so may result in students being expelled from the program and needing to return home at their own additional expense. Please read the full Code of Conduct that is available along with the application form here: https://abel.une.edu.au/study-in-botswana.html Contact with the outside world The main cities that we visit will have mobile coverage, but students need to be aware that International Roaming charges are typically VERY expensive, potentially totalling several thousand dollars over the trip! Given this, we recommend that students contact their service provider to fully understand your contract prior to travel. Internet coverage is usually complementary but patchy at the hotels that we visit, however you will be largely out of mobile coverage and internet service for the bulk of the trip, particularly when camping. Try to look on this as a good thing... Teaching staff will be in regular contact with UNE staff back home, so we will provide a website where your family and friends can keep track of our progress and sightings. In an emergency, in addition to the tour company's communication, teaching staff will also have a satellite phone and SPOT emergency beacon on them at all times. Unit Structure This is a 300 (OSSE300) or 500 (OSSE500) level unit that yields 6 credit points towards your degree if successfully completed. It can be counted as a listed unit if present in your degree plan, or completed as an elective unit. Students will be graded on three Assessment Tasks for the Trip: - 15% Active Fieldtrip Participation - 35% Practical Guide (to be handed in on12 August so that it can be marked and returned to student prior to returning home) - 50% Project Report (based on data collected during the trip, but handed in back in Australia) Further details will be provided to successful applicants in the Unit Guide, included marking rubrics that clearly outline student requirements for each task and grade. Studying other units in T2 Students enrolled in OSSE3/500 while be away during several weeks of the normal Trimester 2 teaching period, so will need to enrol as an External or Online student in their other T2 units. There may also be timetabling clashes with Assessment Tasks due in other units, please check and contact Unit Coordinators of your other units early if selected to go on the trip so that alternate arrangements can be made.
How to apply An application form and further information is available on the 'Study in Botswana' tab of the following website: https://abel.une.edu.au/ This site will also have additional forms such as UNE Code of Conduct for your perusal. There are also links to travel diaries outlining what has been seen on previous tours, as well as a selection of photos taken on the trip to wet your appetite for likely species. Applications close 23 March 2018. Please fill out the application form completely, and check your email regularly after the closing date on the form - if we can t contact you then we will have to move on to another applicant! There are 10 positions available, and we are looking for keen students that will benefit from the Tour, we don t just select the highest GPAs. So please think about your answers, fill in the form completely and honestly. If you don t apply, you definitely won t go, so please don t count yourself out of the trip! For more information Contact Assoc. Prof. Paul McDonald: paul.mcdonald@une.edu.au