2008
OUR 2008 GROUP TRAVELLED TO SOUTH AFRICA FROM JULY 17 TO AUGUST 6.
USE THIS LINK TO VIEW PICTURES FROM THE TRIP!!!!!
Travel to Southern Africa next summer with a group of IUP students and professors. There you will learn first-hand about the history, people, ecology and wildlife of this diverse region through a series of field trips, lectures and guided tours. To find out more about this unique educational experience, go to the following sections of the site.
| Course Descriptions | Planned Activities | Photo Gallery |
| Projected Expenses | Health Precautions | Contact Information |
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The Department of Biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania plans to offer both undergraduate and graduate courses in Southern Africa during Summer, 2008. Courses will begin in mid to late July and end in early August-the best time for game viewing in the Southern Hemisphere's late winter season. Biology majors or those students with an interest in biology may enroll in BIOL 490 Field Studies in Biology, an upper-division class that counts as a free elective or as a major elective toward the BA, BS or minor in Biology at IUP. Students who are not Biology majors are eligible to enroll in BIOL 490, with permission of the instructor. With the Director's approval, this course may be applied to the Pan-African Studies minor at IUP as well. Graduate students may enroll in BIOL 590, which is the Masters-level equivalent of BIOL 490. Students who do not wish credit toward the Biology major or minor at IUP may enroll in BIOL 281 Special Topics:The Diversity of Southern Africa. This course counts as a free elective and it has also been approved to count as a Liberal Studies non-lab science course under Option II of the IUP Liberal Studies graduation requirements. There are no pre-requisites for BIOL 281. Students may elect an audit grade option for this course. Although all the courses have Biology titles and emphasize the plants and animals in various parts of Southern Africa, they are entirely appropriate for students in other disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, political science or history.
All students who enroll in the course will spend 2-3 weeks travelling primarily in the Republic of South Africa, although the class may visit other nations as well. Students will interact with many of the people of Southern Africa-individuals of European, Indian or African descent-in a variety of settings from urban, cosmopolitan Cape Town to a working safari lodge in the bush country of Limpopo Province. Students will observe the dynamic multicultural society of Southern Africa and gain an appreciation for its history and politics as the region moves through a period of significant transition. There will be multiple opportunities for observation of wildlife in national parks or in other settings, and if we are lucky, we'll see each of Africa's famed Big Five animals. Students can expect an up-close and personal encounter with the amazing diversity of Southern Africa in all its dimensions.
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The 2008 class is in the planning stages, but our proposed itinerary includes several days in each of four diverse areas of the Republic of South Africa. We plan to begin our activities in Cape Town and parts of the Western Cape Province, followed by travel to the city of Durban and nearby wildlife sanctuaries in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. From there we will move on to Marula Safari Lodge located in the bush country of the northern part of Limpopo Province near the border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. The final leg of the journey will include several days of game viewing in Kruger Park, widely considered to be one of the world's finest national parks. We will also spend time in transit in the city of Johannesberg but do not plan any class activities in Johannesberg at this time.
Here are some of the sites and activities planned for the 2008 classes.
| Cape Town Area
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KwaZulu-Natal Province
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| Marula Safari Lodge
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Kruger Park Area
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Here are some images from the IUP class trip in 2008.
Here are some images from IUP class trips in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
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Since the intinerary for the 2008 trip is not yet finalized, we cannot at present provide a complete estimate of expenses for next summer. However, the information below will provide some reasonably accurate guidelines on what you can expect to spend.
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TENTATIVE FEES AND PAYMENT DATES Projected Costs 2008 Africa Trip-IUP Costs*
*Source: 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog; all costs rounded up to nearest whole dollar Projected Costs 2008 21 Day Africa Trip-Travel Costs*
* Based on currency exchange rates as of February, 2007. All rates are subject to change. ** May change with booking date or departure city ***Includes two day trips with Absolut Tours, 3 nights at Breakwater Lodge, 1 night in Stellenbosch, airport transit ****Includes lodging at hostel in St. Lucia, tour guide and all fees at Hluhluwe *****Includes lodging at Africa Lodge hostel and Apartheit Museum Tour ******Includes all meals at Marula and all Kruger fees Above costs do not include cocktails, gifts, souvenirs, personal items or photography ALL FEES EXCEPT MARULA LODGE SAFARIS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! Payment Schedule (APPROXIMATE): March 1, 2008 Deposit of $300 Due: (reservation fees for Marula Lodge Safaris, tours, rooms )– basically non-refundable since it goes to Africa. However, if the dean cancels the class because there aren’t enough students, we will refund your money by April 30.). Make check payable to Biology Transportation Fund . (YOU MUST PAY THE DEPOSIT BY 15 APRIL TO BE GUARANTEED A SEAT WITH THE GROUP ON THE PLANE. YOU MAY STILL JOIN US AFTER 15 APRIL BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO FLY A DIFFERENT ROUTE AND MEET US IN JOHANNESBURG). Mid-April 2008 $2200+ due to Adventure Travel Desk: After you have paid your deposit in March, you need to contact Phillip A. Gain and arrange for your ticket purchase. Just tell Phil that you are with the Luciano/IUP group. Phillip Gain, Adventure Travel Desk, 308 Commonwealth Rd, Wayland, MA 01778 Tel: 800-552-0300 or 508-653-4600 e-mail: Phil@african-safari.com. You may not have to pay for your airfare at this time but you should make reservations and workout the payment schedule with Phil Gain. May 2008 Remainder of fees for the Cape Peninsular Tour, bus transportation to and from airports, lodging at Breakwater Lodge & Holiday Inn due: Make check payable to Biology Transportation Fund. June, 2008: Register for the class via regular Summer School Session II registration procedures (available online at IUP webpage/summer school). IUP will bill you directly for tuition, fees, etc. July, 2008: Upon arrival at Marula Lodge Safaris you will need to pay the remainder of the additional fees either in USD cash or USD traveler’s checks (I highly recommend carrying American Express traveler’s checks) If you need receipts for room or tour expenses, let us know and we will provide them. Marula will issue a receipt for their portion of the expenses if you need one
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Malaria prophylaxis tablets are a must! Mefloquine is the preferred medicine. LARIUM is the brand name available in the U.S. A physician must prescribe them. Students should update their tetanus shot. The CDC recommends Hepatitis A vaccine. Hospital and dental care are excellent in South Africa. At Marula Lodge we will be about one hour’s drive from a hospital; there is a doctor in Alldays (ten minutes from Marula Lodge). You should consult your physician about health precautions for your travel to South Africa several months prior to the departure date.
If you are interested in Summer, 2008 Biology classes in Southern Africa and wish further information, send an email to
Dr. Carl Luciano
Department of Biology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Photo Credits:
Tammy Adams, John Eck, Gerrie Fourie, Alena Kupchella, Carl Luciano, Steve Luciano, Krista McAuliffe
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