Namibia: Great Cat Conservation

Experience ongoing research projects such as radio tracking, cheetah physiology, ecosystem management, and the design of school and community programs.

Course Overview

Travel to Namibia to engage with our long-term partner and award-winning Dr. Laurie Marker and her team at –the global center of cheetah conservation worldwide. In collaboration with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, this course is primarily based at CCF headquarters and explores how conservation organizations can succeed while partnering with local communities to save wildlife. Ongoing research projects at CCF include radio tracking, cheetah physiology, ecosystem management, and the design of school and community programs in Namibia. Discover the power of inquiry to generate knowledge and inspire conservation. All students will have the chance to conduct an inquiry investigation of the local ecosystem, asking their own questions, collecting data, and presenting conclusions. Students may also participate in CCF field research including species behavioral studies, waterhole surveys, and full or new moon game counts.

A typical day on this EE course includes exploration and hiking in the local environment, instructor and student-led discussions of key course topics, presentations, engagement with local community experts, and time for inquiry investigations and journal writing. Prior to and following the field experience in Namibia, students will complete coursework via Canvas, �� University's learning management system, as they apply experiences at home.

*** If you're interested in Namibia: Great Cat Conservation for Summer 2026, . This option is ideal for anyone needing Continuing Education Units or additional graduate credits, those with previous Master's experiences, or Dragonfly alums. We offer a limited number of spots (up to 6) for non-Master's candidates in most of our EE courses. An undergraduate degree is required. ***

Course Details
In-Person Travel Dates	July 13-23, 2026 Arrive at least one day before and depart on last day of course.
Full course dates	April to August online
Course-specific themes	-Introduction to the ecosystems of Namibia Cheetah biology, ecology, and conservation -Ecology of top predators, particularly large cats -Community-based environmental education and action including understanding wildlife-friendly farming practices -Curricular development and educational leadership -Land use and conservancy management
Eligibility	This course is open to any interested current master's students or can be taken as a standalone course.
Physical requirements	Time in vehicles transiting landscape; some shorter walks around field sites; temperatures range from cool nighttime temperatures to warm (not hot) days
Lodging	Sharing dorm-style rooms with 4 to 6 per room; a short walk to shared bathrooms; one night of camping (two per tent - though many spend much of the night staying up at the waterhole watching for animals)
Course credits	5 master's graduate credits or 7 CEUs (continuing education credits) can be earned
Course costs (Includes meals, water (extra snacks and drinks not included), lodging, activities (optional activities not included), course transportation, and park entrance fees) (For additional information, go to our Program Costs page.)	Tuition-earning students: $1300 + $2275 for 5 credits tuition ($455 x 5 credits) + $175 ��'s global programs fee = $3750 CEU students: $2700 All participants cover their own transport to Windhoek, Namibia (airport code: WDH)

Namibia Student Reflection:

"Conserving animals can only happen with and for the local people, and we will always be stronger for including them" -Kate Hankins

Student Reflection

Project Dragonfly applauds our 16-year partnership with CCF!

Project Dragonfly teams up with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) to offer our Earth Expeditions Namibia course. In 2020, CCF celebrated their 30-year anniversary and Dragonfly was honored with the Distinguished Conservation Award for our work together.

Check out this short “thank you” video (<6-minutes) to learn more about CCF and how students are positively impacted by this Dragonfly course.

Planned Sites

Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

Most of the course will take place at or around the Cheetah Conservation Fund headquarters located in the bushveld ecosystem of North Central Namibia — in the heart of cheetah territory. Under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF maintains a modern Research Center housing research facilities and a veterinary clinic, an Education Center, and a Visitor’s Center.

Etosha National Park

We will visit Etosha National Park, one of the world’s greatest wildlife-viewing locations, home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, springboks, elands, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, and many other species.

(Course locations are subject to change.)

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A student looking out at the waters from the top of a sand dune

A cheetah chasing a fake rabbit in a speed demonstration

As student and a goat hanging out together.

A group of students smiling to camera from an open sided truck

A student sitting on a bench taking notes for class

Two students taking notes and pictures of a cheetah

A giraffe walking in front of a group of students in a truck

Inside Earth Expeditions

Recorded October 30, 2024, covering Namibia, Borneo, Mongolia, Kenya.

Want to know more about Dragonfly's global+web-based Earth Expeditions courses? Please view a recording from one of our 2024-25 Inside Earth Expeditions sessions, or join us next fall for an upcoming session, where we share the inside scoop on our EE course locations, partners, and activities. These sessions are perfect for current AIP and GFP students, prospective GFP students, and those interested in taking an EE as an individual course. Each session was led by an experienced member of our instructional team.