The University of Maine – Farmington (UMF) is offering a travel course to Tanzania on Ecotourism and Environmental Activism in June 2018. The course is co-led by political scientist, Dr. Linda Beck, and her husband and geographer from Long Island University, Mark Pires. They have been offering this travel course bi-annually since 2015 and have incorporated ecotourism activities and meetings with ecotourism operators and environmental activists with whom they work.
The class is offered as a 2-4 variable credit course and counts towards general education in social science and would count as credit towards Ferris’ Honors Program. There is a course fee in addition to tuition of $3,450 that includes airfare from Boston to Kilimanjaro airport (alternative routes can be accommodated), in-country transportation, program fees, insurance, all accommodations and nearly all meals. It does not cover the visa ($100) and several non-group meals (estimated $50).
Activities would include a safari to Ngorongoro Crater on The Serengeti, a visit to a Maasai Community Project, a stay in Chege Village on Mt. Kilimanjarom and the opportunity to meet with local environmental activists. Below is the propose itinerary.
- Sunday, June 17th: Departure
- Monday, June 18th: Arrival Kilimanjaro International Airport and B&B in Moshi
- Tuesday, June 19th: Orientation, Survival Swahili, Tour of Moshi and Tanzania dinner
- Wednesday, June 20th: Visit to local coffee cooperative on Kilimanjaro, Meet Ecotourism Operator
- Thursday, June 21st: Visit the Chaga Village, Mbahe, at the base of Kilimanjaro. Stay at Mbahe Farm House Cottages
- Friday, June 22nd: Day Hike in Kilimanjaro National Park to Mandara Hut, Kilimanjaro National Park
- Saturday, June 23rd: Visit with Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, Visit/Shop at local Artist Coop Blue Zebra
- Sunday, June 24th: Transfer to Arusha where we will meet Local and International NGOs promoting Ecotourism
- Monday, June 25th: Visit to Dorobos Tours Ecotourism and Shanga Artisanal Workshop for Disabled
- Tuesday, June 26th: Visit Maasai Village and the Simanjiro Grazing Easement Project
- Wednesday, June 27th: Safari trip on Ngorongoro Crater and Visit children’s home
- Thursday, June 28th: Stop in Maasai Women’s Cooperative village on way back to Arusha
- Friday, June 29th: Meet with Maasai NGO, Ujamaa Community Resource Team (UCRT) and Pastoral Women’s Council
- Saturday, June 30th: Return to America
For more information or to sign up, please contact Linda Beck at .