International Trips

Information Booklet
2015 - 2016

May 2015
Dear Parents
I am delighted to publish the Secondary International Trips offer for 2015 - 2016. Many of the trips next year will
take place during the Spring Break holidays to ensure curriculum time is disrupted as little as possible.
Next year we have international trips available to places as diverse as Brazil, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Spain and Japan.
Not only is every continent represented but there are also a range of curriculum areas planning the trips: the
Sciences, Geography and the Humanities, the Arts, and the PE Department.
In the first instance and before paying a deposit parents should contact the staff organiser of the trip and read the
Tour Company Brochure before making a decision and paying a deposit. Once the trips become viable the organiser
will make contact with parents will hold a meeting with a representative of the tour company to give further details.
We also hope to be able to offer the World Scholars Cup trips again this year for those students who perform well in
the tournament (this last year the trips were to the USA and Malaysia) although this will obviously depend on the
achievements of our students in the competition.
In addition to our overseas trip there will be a number of local overnight trips: the Year 7 and 8 Camps, the
ESS/Biology Field Trip for Year 12, and the local Geography Field trips for Years 12 and 10 to collect data for the
students coursework.
Parents should note the following about all international trips:
All trips will become viable once 10 students have paid a deposit. These students are then guaranteed a place and
the trip numbers are then capped at every further 10 deposits, with the maximum number on all trips being 40
students.
All trips need to be paid in cash at the School Accounts Office.
Should your chosen trip not become viable you will be given the option to transfer to another available trip.
Parents are responsible for the administration and costs of all child visas and immunisations.
Please email individual teachers to receive further information including the full terms and conditions and the
specific payment schedule as these vary from trip to trip. Please do not pay your deposit until you have this
information.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Richard McGrory
Director of Secondary Curriculum
r.mcgrory_wis@gemsedu.com

GEMS Wellington International School

PO Box 37486, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T +971 (0)4 348 4999 | F +971 (0)4 348 6595

Linkedin.com/company/gems-education
@gemseducation
gemseducation.com

International Trips Overview

Trip Destination &
Focus

Spain: Sports Tour

Visit Madrid/Barcelona
and La Liga Match
Sri Lanka Biology
Ecology & the
Environment. Kandy,
Kithugala, Rainforest
Reserve snorkelling

Dates

27th November 3rd

December 2015

10,300

30th November 5th

December 2015

8,000

Sri Lanka Geography

9th 13th February 2016

This trips directly

supports the Geography
coursework at GCSE and
IB level for Year 10 and
12 students

This trip is not accepting

payments at the Accounts
Office until 10th September
2015

Switzerland Geneva
Physics CERN

23rd 28th March 2016

Students will undertake

media / Art projects to
assist with BTEC?GCSE&
IB courses
South America Brazil,
Argentina , Uruguay.
Geography focus: Eco
Systems sustainability
and Human Geography

Open to
Years

7-10 & 12

Deposit 4000
By 18th June
7-9

Deposit 1500
By 24th June

4, 000 plus
flights
Deposit 1500

24th March 1st April 2016

When prices are finalised a
note will appear in the
Wellington Weekly and
deposits may be paid.

March 25th 1st April 2016

Contact for more

information

Mr Weaver
r.weaver_wis@gemsedu.com

Ms OKeefe

l.okeefe_wis@gemsedu.com

10 and 12
Geography
students

Ms Wright

c.wright_wis@gemsedu.com

th

By 30
September

17,200

12 & 13

Deposit 1500
By 18th June

Visit the large Hadron

Collider
South Africa Media and
Visual Art.

Costs &
Deposit
deadline date

14,800 AED
Awaiting Final
price

Mr Beaver
j.beaver_wis@gemsedu.com

10
upwards

Ms Young

7 Upwards

Ms Wright

c.young_wis@gemsedu.com

Deposit date
to follow.

17,050
Deposit 1700
By 23rd June

c.wright_wis@gemsedu.com

International Trips Overview

Japan- Business trip

31st March 7th April 2016

Visiting Tokyo stock

exchange, Honda
Welcome Plaza,
Universal Studios and
Mount Fuji
London Historic &
Performing Arts

Balule reserve Bush

Week
Indian Ocean Ecology
Sodwana bay week

7 upwards

Deposit 1500
By 23rd June

1st 7th April 2016

West End Musicals,

Dance and Drama
workshops. Theatre
Tours
South Africa -Biology
ESS, Nature of Science ,
CAS trip

14, 500

June 25th 8th July 2016

Mr Bishop
r.bishop_wis@gemsedu.com

11,500 AED

Mrs Bishop

Deposit 1500
By 18th June

upwards

t.bishop_wis@gemsedu.com

17,000 AED

11 & 12

Ms Dibble

Deposit 4,200
by 30th
September

r.dibble_wis@gemsedu.com

H
Open to Boys, Girls,
Footballers
& Non-Footballers in Years 7 10

27th Nov 3rd Dec 2015

Nov 27 Dec 3 2015

More Info see Mr. Waver

10,300 Dhs

For

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

Spain

Tour Duration:

15 days, 14 nights

Dates of trip:

27th November 3rd December 2015

Open to Years:

Year 7-10 and 12

Trip Leader:

Robert Weaver
r.weaver_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

Match tickets to see (at least) one LIVE LA LIGA MATCH

Dedicated film-crew to document experience
Comprehensive media training
Evening entertainment
Platinum Tour Kit Package
(WIS Match strip; Personalised TWS Tour shirt; Hoodie;
Cap; Water bottle)

FULL BOARD
Tour price:
AED 10,300.00 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 4,000 18th June 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 3.150 17th September 2015
AED 3.150 29th October 2015

The cost includes:

Return flights
Luxury transport within Spain on Executive Team Coach
3*/4* Accommodation (Twin/Triple occupancy rooms)
Meals (dietary requirements catered for)
All sporting/tourist activities
Match tickets to see (at least) one LIVE LA LIGA MATCH
Dedicated film-crew to document experience
Comprehensive media training
Evening entertainment
Platinum Tour Kit Package
(WIS Match strip; Personalised TWS Tour shirt; Hoodie; Cap; Water bottle)
2 TWS reps, who will accompany your group at all times
Public liability insurance
Individual travel insurance

MADRID - BARCELONA November

27 December 3, 2015
DAY 1
12.30
15.00
17.00
19.30

Flight arrives in Madrid

Check-in to team hotel
LIGHT TRAINING SESSION & SMALL-SIDED MATCHES
Evening Meal & Welcome Meeting

Day 2
08.30
11.00
13.30
15.00
16.00
18.00
19.00

Breakfast
STADIUM TOUR OF CAMP NOU (FC BARCELONA)
Lunch
MATCH PREPARATION SESSION
CHALLENGE MATCH vs. LOCAL OPPOSITION
Depart for Team Hotel
SPANISH EVENING: CULTURE & FOOD-TASTING

Day 3
08.00
09.00
11.00
13.00
14.00
17.00
18.00
19.30

Breakfast
SPANISH SPEAKING LESSON
SIGHTSEEING - BARCELONA
Lunch
BEACH ACTIVITIES
Evening Meal
Depart for Camp Nou
FC BARCELONA vs. VALENCIA (example)

Day 4
07.00
08.00
12.00
14.00
15.30
17.30
19.00

Breakfast
Transfer to Madrid
TOUR OF SANTIAGO BERNABEU (REAL MADRID FC)
Lunch
CHALLENGE MATCH vs. LOCAL OPPOSITION
Evening Meal
BIG FOOTBALL QUIZ

Day 5
08.30
09.30
13.00
14.00
15.30
19.00
20.00

Breakfast
SIGHTSEEING MADRID
Lunch
MATCH PREPARATION
CHALLENGE MATCH vs. LOCAL OPPOSITION
Evening meal
MEDIA SEMINAR: WIS PRESS CONFERENCE

Day 6
08.00
10.00
12.00
13.00
15.00
18.30

Breakfast
5-A-SIDE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
WIS PLAYER AWARDS/FINAL SPEECHES
Lunch & check-out
Transfer to Madrid airport
Flight departs for DXB

Day 7
AM Flight returns to DXB

www.twsoccer.com

30th November 5th December 2015

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
This trip is designed to offer an immersive insight into the culture,
environment and history of Sri Lanka. Students can learn about the
biodiversity of Sri Lanka, and learn about conservation of species
such as Elephants and Turtles.

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

Sri Lanka

Tour Duration:

6 days, 5 nights

Dates of trip:

30th November 5th December

Open to Years:

Year 7-9

Trip Leader:

Leonie OKeefe
l.okeefe_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

Kandy Elephant orphanage visit.

Sinnhara Rainforest reserve explore the rainforest and
biodiversity. Visit to a local school.
Galle and Unawatune explore the coastal area, temples
and museums, and visit to sea turtle rescue centre

FULL BOARD
Trip price:
AED 8,000 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 1,500 24th June 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 3250 17th September 2015
AED 3250 31st October 2015

IB and GCSE Geography Controlled

Assessment field work data collection trip
to Sri Lanka.

Controlled Assessment accounts for 25% of the final GCSE

grade and 20% of the final IB grade
Students will carry out data collection and analyse this for
their controlled assessment/ IA. We will also visit sites
which support other areas of the GCSE and IB curriculum.

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

Sri Lanka

Dates of trip:

9th13th February

Open to Years:

Yr 10 and 12 Geography students

Trip Leader:

Miss Candice Wright

C.wright_wis@gemsedu.com

This trip is not accepting payments at the Accounts Office until 10th September 2015.
Tour price: 5000aed
AED (flights will be added nearer the time).
Deposit Due;
1500aed 30th September 2015
Payment Schedule;
Will be released in September.
All payments must be made in CASH to the school cashier.

Day 2coastal environments

Site 1: Dadalla

Introduction to coastal processes and coastal management: Data collection on either side of the groyne/sea wall to
compare and contrast the constructive/depositional landforms and processes. Data collection will include: Beach
profiles using Break in Slope/ Particle distribution using systematic interrupted belt transect LSD measurements
using float method/ Wave characteristics/ Field sketch/ Bi polar analysis Cost benefit analysis
Site 2 Mihiripenna Destructive Beach
This is an unmanaged but developed stretch of coastline, with a very narrow, steep destructive beach profile. Development
sprawls almost to the high tide mark, and as a result, provides a good case study of the results of coastal erosion upon human
development. Students will employ the above techniques to quantify coastal processes.
Site 3 Koggala Beach Constructive Beach
This is also an unmanaged stretch of coastline, but human development is more contained, and much wider margin/space
exists between the high tide mark and the edge of the development. This results in a comparatively wide, constructive beach
profile, which offers more protection to the residents of Koggala. Students will employ the above techniques to quantify
coastal processes.
Evening activity: Turtle hatchery followed by group evening meal

Day 3 Urban and Rural Rebranding

Site 4: Galle Fort Urban rebranding

Students will visit: Old fortifications and heritage buildings illustrating the various functions of the fort through
periods of history (as a defensive fortification, as a prison, as a centre for trade, etc) . National Maritime Museum
explaining and illustrating the history of coastal development and evolution of coastal management schemes over
time in the southern territory of Sri Lanka. New Galle Fort market. Data collection: building transects, pedestrian
& traffic count; bipolar analysis; place check; retail quality survey; field sketches.
Site 5: Galle old town

Students will visit: Old Dutch market, Galle fishermens harbour.

Data collection: building transects, pedestrian & traffic count; bipolar analysis; place check; retail quality survey;
field sketches. Students will then compare and contrast Galle old town with and Galle Fort in order to quantify the
extent and success of urban rebranding in Galle.

Site 6: Hikkaduwa Rural Rebranding

Hikkaduwa is a coastal resort town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Historically, Hikkaduwa was one of many
similar small coastal towns, primarily centered around the cultivation of coconuts, rice and cinnamon, plumbago
mining, and the small-scale manufacture of lace and drum frames. It was a destination for foreign visitors from the
late 1800s and in the late 1960s began to capitalize on the natural offshore reef, beaches and wave patterns to rebrand itself as a surfing, snorkelling and diving destination and beach resort town.
Data collection to include: housing survey, pedestrian & traffic count; bipolar analysis; place check; retail quality
survey; environmental quality survey; field sketches
Evening Session Summary of methods; Spearmans Rank Correlation Coefficient; formulating conclusions.

Day 4
Coastal Development and Human Pressures

Students will compare and contrast the pressure of development placed on the popular tourist destination of Unawatuna
against the relatively undeveloped lagoon and islands of Koggala Lake.

Site 7: Unawatuna

Data collection:
Conflict matrix, Pollution count, Environmental quality surveys, Bi polar analysis, Interview with a local
Site 8: Koggala Lake
Boat tour of Koggala Lake mangroves, which will include:
Discussion of the geographical and ecological importance of mangroves, Visiting spice islands and fish island

Data collection: Conflict matix, Pollution count, Environmental quality surveys, Bi polar analysis
Discussion of soft engineering management techniques and conflicting stakeholder interests in coastal management strategies.

Daytime Recreational Activities Snorkeling at Unawatuna beach; Koggala Spice Island and Ayurvedic Garden tour

Evening Session Summary of methodologies; data analysis; Mann Whitney U test; formulating conclusions

Day 5
Breakfast and packing,
Souvenir shopping in Unawatuna
Group lunch in Galle Fort .
Depart Unawatuna; travel to Colombo Airport

Students who do not come to Sri Lanka will be offered a two day trip within the UAE.

Physics: CERN
The Large Hadron Collider, Geneva
rd

th

23 March 28 March 2016

Visit to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the largest most expensive
experiment in human history.

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

CERN, Geneva

Tour Duration:

6 Days, 5 Nights

Dates of trip:

23rd 28th March 2016

Open to Years:

Year 12 13

Trip Leader:

Jonny Beaver
j.beaver_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

2 Nights accommodation in Zurich

1 Nights accommodation in Lucerne
2 Nights accommodation in Geneva

CERN Visit and Orientation Tour of Geneva

Visit to Mt Titlis
Tours of Lucerne and Zurich
Visit to Technorama Science Museum
Half board
Tour price:
AED 17,200.00 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 1500 18th June 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 6000 10th September 2015
AED 5000 1st December 2015
AED 4700 1st February 2016

Day 1 - 2:
Zurich
Swiss science centre Technorama
Cheese Dairy
Chocolate Factory
Overnight Zurich
Day 4:
Mount Titlis, then off to GENEVA
Overnight Geneva
Day 6:
Transfer to Zurich airport for your
flight home.

Day 3:
Travel to Lucern
Mt Pilatus
Overnight Lucern

Day 5:
Visit CERN particle lab and tour the Large
Hadron Collider, the largest, most
expensive experiment in human history.
Overnight Geneva

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

South Africa Cape Town

Tour Duration:

8 days, 7 nights (DoubleTree Hotel of similar)

Dates of trip:

Friday 25th March 2016 Friday 1st April 2016

Open to Years:

Year 10 - 13

Trip Leader:

Claire Young
c.young_wis@gemsedu.com

Lilian Mackey
l.mackey_wis@gemsedu.com
Highlights of the Tour:
*Subject to change

2 Day Safari
Boulders Beach & Penguin Colony
Tour of Cape Town inc. Table Mountain
Seal Island
Film Festival
Film Workshop
Rodden Island
Rock Art Sites
District 6 Museum
Open Air Cinema
Victoria & Albert Dock
Rock Art Sites
The Cape Gallery

Tour price:
AED 14,800 Approximately (TBC) per student
Deposit Due:
Deposit Date to be confirmed
Payment Schedule:
TBC

Geography Tour - Brazil, Argentina

& Uruguay.
25th March 1st April 2016

Curriculum links KS3 and 4.

Tourism, Ecosystems, Coasts, Population, Development, Rivers, Ecology.

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay

Dates of trip:

25th March1st April 2016

Open to Years:

Year 9- 11

Trip Leader:

Miss Candice Wright

C.wright_wis@gemsedu.com
Tour price:
AED 17,050
Deposit Due:

AED 1,700 by 23rd June 2015 (The maximum number of students is 40. Places are allocated
on a first come, first served basis. If spaces are filled the trip account will close to new
payments before this date, any further students wishing to attend will be placed on a reserve list.
Payment Schedule:

AED 1,700 deposit be 23rd June 2015

AED 7,700 10th September 2015
AED 7,650 3rd December 2015
All payments must be made in CASH to the school cashier.

Day 1
Depart DXB 07.10 on 25th March.
Arrive in Rio De Janiero at 14.30 25th March. Time in the city around the
hotel.

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

After breakfast take a driving tour along the world famous Ipanema and Copacabana
beaches to arrive at Corcovado Mountain, home of one of the seven modern wonders
of the world, Christ the Redeemer.
In the afternoon we will tour Sugar Loaf Mountain, taking the cable car to the top
overlooking Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara bay.

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro Tijuca National Park

Tijuca National Park is a lush Atlantic rainforest. It is the worlds largest urban
forest covering 32km2. We will take a jeep tour of the forest up to the Vista
Chinesa, spotting monkey, exotic birds and sloths as we go.

Day 4 Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Today we have time in Rio De Janeiro in the morning before our flight down to Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
Flight timesdepart Rio 16.18, arrive Buenos Aires 19.45
Evening in hotel.

Day 5 Buenos Aires (Argentina)

After breakfast we will take a city tour of Buenos Aires. We will take the widest
avenue in the world down to the Colon theatre, visit the Playa de Mayo, The Presidents Pink house, The Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabido. We will then continue to the old district, La Boca and Cemetery of the Recoleta, burial site of Eva
Peron.
This evening we will attend a traditional Tango show

Day 6 Montevideo (Uruguay)

Today we visit our third countryUruguay
We take the fast ferry (1hr) to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Upon arrival
we will have fantastic views of the coast and city before undertaking a city tour and
returning on the fast ferry in the evening.

Day 7 Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Students will enjoy a cruise down the Tigre river today. Viewing the
impressive landscape and going through the main residential district of Vicente
Lopez
Tigre is a town in Buenos Aires and lies on the Parana Delta.

Day 8 Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Today we experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys).
We will watch traditional horseshows, dances and have a barbecue lunch before an evening transfer to the airport for our 21.30 flight back to Dubai.

Japan 2016

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

Japan

Tour Duration:

8 days, 7 nights

Dates of trip:

31st March 7th April 2016

Open to Years:

Year 17 upwards

Trip Leader:

Richard Bishop
r.bishop_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

City tour of Tokyo

Suginami Animation Museum
Tokyo Stock Exchange
Make your own sushi experience
Honda Welcome Plaza
Sony Building
Mega Web
Universal Studio in Osaka
Mount Fuji
Owakudani Ropeway & Hot spring source
Tour price:
AED 14,500.00 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 1,500 23rd June 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 6,500 10th September 2015
AED 6,500 11th December 2015

Initial Itinerary:

A full day sightseeing of Tokyo.

Honda Welcome Plaza
A visit to the Honda Welcome Plaza offers visitors the
chance to view the many new
car and motorcycle models on display along with a mini
theatre. The main attraction
however is "Asimo" the worlds first humanoid robot
developed by Honda
Sushi Making Class with lunch to follow (make your own sushi
experience)
Sony Building
A Ginza landmark, the Sony Building features a variety of
shops, showrooms and
restaurants. The Opus Communication Zone allows visitors
to experience video and audio entertainment of the highest
quality.
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) for morning
presentation and discussions with Key Speakers (To Be
Confirmed).

Suginami Animation Museum

Suginami-ku, Tokyo, the location for many companies related to animation production,
is known as an 'anime town'. The Suginami Animation Museum, which opened in
March 2005, is a center that provides a fun and systemized way to learn, experience,
and understand anime.

Mega Web
Mega Web is one of the world's largest auto showrooms displaying over 150 vehicles
and is run by Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota Mega Web comprises of six exhibitions
such as the History Garage, Universal Design Showcase and City Showcase. Mega Web
amazes visitors with thrilling rides, racing simulators and even a 4D movie theatre so
you can get in on all the action!
Panasonic Centre
Panasonic Center Tokyo is a Corporate Global Communications Hub for Panasonic.
With a vision to realize A Better Life, A Better World for each individual customer, the
Center serves as a vehicle for communications, receiving opinions and requests directly
from customers while presenting actual products and solutions.
Full day trip to see Mt Fuji and the Hakone region
Owakudani Ropeway & Hot spring source
Owakudani is the area around a crater created during the
last eruption of Mount
Hakone some 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area
is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be
experienced.
Lake Ashi Cruise
Lake Ashinoko was formed in the caldera of Mount
Hakone after the volcano's last
eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji
in the background is the
symbol of Hakone.
Tour of Kyoto and Nara
Golden Pavilion is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.
The garden complex is an
excellent example of Muromachi period garden design.
The Muromachi period is
considered to be a classical age of Japanese garden
design
Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine in Nara
Universal Studio Japan.
A theme park with a collection of world-class
entertainment

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

London

Tour Duration:

7 days, 6 nights

Dates of trip:

1st April 7th April

Open to Years:

Year 8 upwards

Trip Leader:

Tracey Bishop
t.bishop_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

Highlights Include: 2 West End Musicals,

National Theatre Backstage tour, Pineapple
Dance Studios, London Eye, Westminster
Tours, Acting Workshops , Historic tours.
Tour price:
AED 11,500.00 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 1,500 18th June 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 6,000 10th September 2015
AED 4,000 1st December 2015

Day 1
st
1 April

AM Depart - Arrive 5pm

PM London Eye ride

Day 2

AM Houses of Parliament Tour & London River Cruise

PM London Bridge Night Experience
AM Full Day Pineapple Dance Studios: Training Dance Acting Singing
PM Thriller the Musical
AM Full day National Theatre Tour , Acting , Directing, Set & Costume design,
PM Convent Garden Market Street Performing Arts
AM Hampton Court Palace
PM Oxford Street Shopping ( Possible Phantom of the Opera/ Miss Saigon Show unable to
secure tickets at this time additional charge may apply for ticket cost)
AM Madame Tussauds
PM Matinee Wicked the Musical
AM Last morning for shopping
PM Return Flight

Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Day 6
Day 7

OPERATION WALLACEA

SOUTH AFRICA 2015

WWW.OPWALL.COM

25TH June 8th July 2016

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Help with biodiversity surveys in either the Kruger National Park,
including performing surveys of large and small mammals, reptiles,
birds, and spiders. Then gain further experience in the marine
centre analysing marine ecology. Opportunities to complete both IA
and EE work for Biology/ESS/Nature of Science or as CAS work.

GEMS Wellington International School

Destination:

South Africa

Tour Duration:

15 days, 14 nights

Dates of trip:

24th June 2016

Open to Years:

Year 11 - 13

Trip Leader:

Rebecca Dibble
r.ddible_wis@gemsedu.com

Highlights of the Tour:

7 nights Balule Reserve, Krugar National Park

Game Transects: monitoring large mammal populations in
the Reserve.
Bird point counts: analysis of the birdlife in the reserve.
Elephant impact surveys: feed into international research
on the impact of Elephants on the reserve.
7 nights Sodwana Bay
Indian Ocean reef ecology course: Explore the coral reef
ecosystem including megafauna like the manta rays and
whale sharks.
FULL BOARD
Tour price:
AED 17,000.00 per student
Deposit Due:
AED 4,200 30th September 2015
Payment Schedule:
AED 4,200 1st December 2015
AED 4.300 11th February 2016
AED 4,300 24th April 2016

Expedition structure
This is an opportunity for students to work alongside university
professors and graduates in current scientific research areas. The
techniques used as well as the knowledge gained links completely
with their IB course content. The trip will also provide an
opportunity for the students to complete either their Internal
Assessment and/or their Extended Essay data collections for
Biology, Environmental Systems and Societies and/or the Nature of
Science courses. The instructors at each centre are IB trained to
ensure students walk away from the trip will all the information to
achieve top marks in their work.
The South African expeditions are run alongside a South African NGO, Wildlife and Ecological Investments (WEI),
who are coordinating a large scale research programme on the impact of the expansion of elephant populations on
vegetation and diversity. The research programme covers a series of reserves across the country, each using slightly
different management strategies to tackle the problem of controlling their elephant populations. The majority of big
game areas in South Africa are fenced in order to avoid conflicts between communities and dangerous animals.
However, this restricts movement of species such as elephants, which can lead to excessive habitat damage within
reserves where elephant feeding pressure is too high. The school teams are using identical monitoring methods to
those being used by university teams in other reserves around South Africa and together these projects have the
following objectives:

To quantify the impact of elephants around artificial and natural waterholes.

To utilise these data to calculate carrying capacity of reserves for elephants.
To assist with data collection on the distribution of large herbivores and predators.
To complete annual surveys of winter bird community structure and density in areas of habitat with
differing levels of elephant impact.

At the end of the first week the groups will move to a marine training
centre in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, located nearby the UNESCO World
Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. The day by day itinerary will be
confirmed nearer the time of the expedition as it will depend on site
conditions, locations of the elephants etc.
Bush week Balule Reserve
During the first week the groups will spend half their time in the bush,
either in game viewer vehicles or on foot with armed guards, and half their
time in the large fenced camps learning about bush skills, African ecology
and conservation. The bush skills teaches students about a number of different aspects of bush life, for example safe
distances for viewing game, how to identify tracks and signs of large mammals, how to respond if a large herbivore
or predator is encountered and how to use a GPS and compass for navigation. The lectures on ecology and
conservation cover a diverse number of topics, mainly focused on savannah ecology: Africas biodiversity (formation
of biomes in southern Africa), southern African birds (classification, sample techniques, conservation), herbivores of
southern Africa (adaptation in rhinos, buffalo, impala, nyala, wildebeest, zebra), predators (niche separation in lion,
leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena), managing elephant populations (social structure, impact on habitat, methods
of controlling elephant numbers), African conservation issues (fenced reserves, maintaining balanced herbivore and
predator communities, fire management) and a conservation synthesis (calculating elephant carrying capacity).
The groups will also undertake a couple of days of practical sessions focusing on showing them the African bush,
before starting field based surveys that include:

Game Transects: each group will have the opportunity to undertake monitoring of large mammal
populations. Game transects are undertaken in a vehicle driving a pre-planned route marking all game
sightings on a GPS.
Bird point counts: small groups together with an experienced ornithologist will trek to the start point of
the count and then form an outward facing circle. All bird species seen or heard over a 10 minute period
are identified.
Elephant impact surveys: each group will spend 2 half days completing habitat surveys on foot, in one
hectare blocks. Items such as grass density, size and tree structure, and levels of elephant damage are all
surveyed.

Marine week Sodwana Bay

The students will spend their second week in Sodwana Bay in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa and will be
completing the following:

Indian Ocean reef ecology course: This consists of lectures and in water practicals either by
diving (if a qualified diver) or snorkelling. The lectures in Sodwana Bay cover an introduction to coral
reef ecosystem (characteristics of a reef, distribution of reefs in east Africa), coral and algal species
(growth forms and common species), megafauna (whales, sharks, manta rays), mangrove and
seagrass ecology (importance of connective systems, threats to mangroves), economically important
invertebrates (lobster fishery, aquarium trade), identification of coral reef fish (main reef fish
families), reef survey techniques (quadrats, transects, stereo video), threats to and conservation of reefs
(protected marine areas in South Africa and Mozambique).
Facilities
During the terrestrial section of the expedition students will be staying in singlesex shared accommodation in either dormitory style rooms or large tents. Each
site has access to hot running water and electricity, and camps within the
reserves are surrounded by electric fences.
For the marine section of the expedition students will be living in a camp site
just outside the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Each day they will transit to the
ocean or the dive training centre on the back of 44 vehicles from the camp
which is situated up on the sand dunes a few km from the beach. In the camp
site students will stay in tents, with shared hot and cold shower facilities and
there is a lecture room and communal eating area.