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SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation

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5.0 / 5Overall Rating
19Reviews
1932Year established

Program Overview

Examine the intersection of wildlife conservation, political ecology, and community development in Tanzania’s iconic landscapes. From the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll gain hands-on field experience in ecology and park management while exploring how conservation intersects with local livelihoods, culture, and population growth. Learn from Tanzanian experts, partner institutions, and host communities to reframe sustainability in a local context.

SIT's program in Tanzania offers the choice to do a minor in global environmental studies or global sustainability studies.

MONEY MATTERS
SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, meals, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

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Program Highlights

Spend time at Randilen Wildlife Management Area, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mazumbai Forest Reserve, and national parks – Tarangire, Mkomazi, and Serengeti.
Speak with local communities to understand issues of human-wildlife conflict, deforestation, agriculture, gender, culture, and population growth.
Explore conservation through multiple lenses.
Network for your academic and professional careers.
Visit Randilen, a community-owned wildlife management area governed by the local Maasai, which has been set aside to improve their lives and ensure their children’s futures.

What's Included

Tuition & Fees
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
All Program Activity Costs
Medical / Accident Insurance
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Internship Placement
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Arusha, Tanzania

Types & Subjects

  • Subjects & Courses
  • Anthropology
  • Culture
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Foreign Language
  • Sociology
  • Zoology & Wildlife Sciences

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • 2026, 2027
  • Terms Available
  • Fall
  • Spring

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Group living
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Application Procedures

  • Letters of Reference
  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Transcript
  • Other
  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18-30

Refund Policy

Refund with conditions

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about SIT Study Abroad

5.0
19 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
18
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Cultural Immersion
5.0
Community
5.0
Academics
4.9
Health & Safety
4.9
Living Situation
4.7
Program Administration
4.7

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-19 of 19 reviews

Greta McNultyUnited States · October 2026
5.0

The best!!

Cannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!

Greta McNultyUnited States · October 2026
5.0

The best!!

Cannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!

Greta McNultyUnited States · October 2026
5.0

The best!!

Cannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!

Alissa FrameUnited States · October 2026

Unforgettable memories and lasting friendships!

Going to TZ for a semester abroad with SIT was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel incredibly grateful for all the experiences I had and wonderful people I met--many of whom I stay in touch with today! The semester was an exciting mix of camping in national parks, observing incredible wildlife like elephants, lions, giraffes, and birds, and doing a homestay for 3 weeks. I really appreciated the cultural immersion, between the homestay and opportunities to interview community members for research/class. The SIT TZE staff is top-notch when it comes to support, kindness, and truly making you feel like family. This program has added depth to my life and I'm currently trying to return to the region because of how much I loved my experience.

Ogy SimeonovBulgaria · October 2026

Amazing time in Tanzania!!

I completed the Wildlife Conservation Programme in Tanzania in 2021 and it was honestly an amazing experience that I still remember to this day. Everyone was so kind and helpful, and I learned so much about wildlife and conservation during the programme. The classes in nature were amazing and it was great to be able to learn about wildlife while actually being surrounded by it. The weather was great, the people were lovely, and there was always something new to learn and experience. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to take part. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves wildlife, nature and travelling.

Photos

Sofia NuriUnited States · October 2026

Lots of Wildlife and Very Kind Community

This study abroad experience was truly life changing. I had never been camping before and was a little intimidated, but the instructors and staff were so kind and helpful. I also got the experience of a lifetime on the safaris! I got to see lots of elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras. Would highly highly recommend!

Michaela ForbesUnited States · October 2026

Best experience!

Studying abroad in Tanzania with SIT was the best decision I’ve ever made. I made so many incredible memories while on safari, staying with my host family and even completing my own wildlife research. It was such an educational and enriching experience. I learned so much about the country, the people, the wildlife as well as myself. Tanzania is still my favorite place I’ve ever traveled!

Naturi ScottUnited States · October 2026

Transformative, Highly Recommend!

This program absolutely changed my worldview! Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the immersive experiences and connections that I have as a result of this program. The staff are unbelievably inviting, talented, and caring. They are highly knowledgeable and invested in the learning, development, and wellbeing of students. If you are looking for a unique opportunity to expand your world while gain valuable research experience, this is the program for you.

Photos

Sydney GelhornUnited States · October 2026

Once in a lifetime program!

This program was absolutely incredible. The staff, both the support staff and the teachers, were incredible. They made efforts to connect with each student on a personal level, and I am deeply grateful for at home they worked to make us feel. In what scenario are you doing school work and group projects while in National Parks and Widlife Reserves in Tanzania?! I learned a lot both academically and about myself as a person. So much love for this program!!

Brooke SuUnited States · October 2026

A life changing opportunity

I had a really impactful experience studying abroad in Tanzania in 2020. The teaching staff were all so valuable, insightful, and friendly, and we as students all felt taken care of during our time there. I learned so much through hands-on experience in the national parks on safari and learning Swahili while staying with my host family. This semester abroad has left a lasting impact on me and I hope to visit Tanzania again in the future.

Bec GriffinUnited States · October 2026

Great program! Best semester ever!

This program is amazing for anyone looking for cultural immersion, language immersion, incredible field experiences, and resume building research experience. Class is literally watching lions in the Serengeti.

Maddie KrugUnited States · October 2026

A great experience

This experience was an amazing one. I grew so much as a person. Not only did I learn a lot, but the experience was so immersive that learning could be connected to real life examples. During this time I got sick, and the staff were nothing short of amazing. They all came together to help me in whatever way they could. The people, the classes, the country, it was all amazing. I can’t recommend enough to other students.

Joshua ConnorsUnited States · October 2026

Everything about this program was amazing!

There’s not one thing about SIT Tanzania that wasn’t amazing. If you’re looking for an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and explore such a unique, incredible country, then this program is for you. From the incredible staff and unforgettable experiences I couldn’t recommend this program enough!

Brooke HermansonUnited States · October 2026

The best thing i have EVER done

This program genuinely changed my life. I’m not joking it really opened my eyes and allowed me to fully immerse myself in a culture extremely different from mine and very far away from home! It also allowed me to develop new communication skills as well as research skills. This is my most favorite thing to talk about and was definitely a huge contributor to what made me stand out when applying to vet school! With all that being said, the staff was extremely supportive and the kindest, brilliant people you will EVER meet. The staff is extremely hard working literally always and are a huge inspiration to me. I could not tell more people to chose this program. Truly once in a lifetime experience.

Photos

Austin KoffUnited States · October 2026

An awesome adventure!

My semester abroad in Tanzania was life changing! A truly once in a lifetime experience that I truly recommend. The SIT program staff are the kindest most welcoming people you can imagine. Additionally, from game drives in national parks to home stays the cultural immersion and wildlife I was able to learn about and experience was amazing! I truly learned so much and had a wonderful time exploring Tanzania!

Megan McArthurUnited States · May 2026

An amazing semester!

We were able to experience so much throughout the semester through cultural immersion and wildlife observations that went far beyond my expectations. The staff and teachers were all so welcoming and helpful, and I learned so much while having an amazing and fun semester.

Photos

Ella WilshireMarch 2026

Absolutely Amazing Experience, Highly Recommend!

I really cannot say enough amazing things about this program, it truly was a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived in Tanzania, the teachers and staff made me feel immediately welcomed and at home. Their knowledge and expertise in the field were extremely impressive and helped create an engaging and supportive learning environment. One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the hands-on, immersive experience. We spent 30 nights camping and participated in daily game drives, where I saw more wildlife biodiversity than I ever imagined. These experiences brought the course material to life and deepened my understanding of wildlife conservation in a real-world context. The homestay is another unique immersive opportunity and was one of my favorite parts of the program! I felt my homestay family quickly became like my real family and I am still in touch with them today. It was also incredibly meaningful to engage with and learn from local Maasai communities. Through these interactions, I developed crucial skills for ethical social science data collection and gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of community perspectives in conservation work. The independent study project is another amazing opportunity to conduct research on a topic you are passionate about. I studied the impacts of climate change on the predominantly women-run seaweed farming industry. The program offered a great balance of independence to explore a topic of interest while also providing valuable on-the-ground connections and support from faculty.This program had a lasting impact on my academic and personal interests, and I am currently in the process of publishing my research through the Middlebury Journal of Global Affairs.

Grace WilsonUnited States · March 2026

SIT gave me a second family

SIT was one of my favorite parts of my college experience, and probably my life. I met some of my best friends to this day on this program. You get to know your classmates and professors very well and they become a second family. From camping in the Serengeti and seeing the Great Migration pass by my very eyes, to living with a host family that takes care of you as their own, I had the study abroad experience of a lifetime.

Photos

Catherine RamiconeUnited States · February 2025

The Experience of a Lifetime

Traveling to Africa was always an experience I was looking forward to, however, I never thought that I would be able to immerse myself in the culture for a whole semester. I was able to learn a completely new language, live with a host family, see animals I have dreamed about since I was a little kid, and I made so many lasting connections. We were also pushed academically to complete and independent research project. Mine was on wildlife veterinarians so I was able to interview veterinarians and even got to shadow a sanctuary veterinarian. I would do it all over if I had the chance.

Photos

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Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2025 - Notable Mention
GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Winner - Marketing & Digital Media
Innovation in Marketing & Digital Media Winner 2022
Innovative Student Video 2021 Finalist
Innovation in Crisis Response 2020 Winner
Fund for Education Abroad
Innovative New Program – Study Abroad 2021 Finalist

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