Education & Conservation
Journeys
Classic Escapes is committed to conserving the world for future generations, and education plays a key role in accomplishing that goal. We have designed programs to support educators and ones that take you back into the classroom, although our classroom is set amidst trees, grasslands, islands and wildlife! We put you in the field gathering information alongside researchers, and work to spark the curiosity of teens through diverse programs incorporating hands-on experience with the environment and people of the community. Classic Escapes constantly strives to design purposeful conservation and education adventures with you in mind, and will customize any adventure to one of our destinations to meet your goals, and ours.
Conservation in Action, Namibia & Botswana
Journey to southern Africa and be an integral part of conservation in action. Meet research staff and founders (duties permitting) who have dedicated their lives to the conservation of endangered species – from the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Save the Rhino Trust, to the Botswana Wild Dog Project. Your ecotourism helps support the local wildlife and community. Enjoy the rare privilege of being welcomed into the nomadic Himba community in Namibia and the Bukakhwe community in Botswana. Throughout, experience exciting wildlife viewing in open 4x4 vehicles, trekking for rhino in northern Damaraland, and gliding through Botswana’s Okavango Delta in mokoro (dug out canoe).
Conservation in Action: Rwanda & Tanzania
Be an integral part of conservation in action as you travel to Rwanda and Tanzania. Meet Research staff and founders who have dedicated their lives to preservation and conservation of wildlife and places. Trek for gorillasin Parc National des Volcans, the base for Dian Fossey's work at the Karisoke Research Center, and other primates at Nyungwe Forest. Visit Lake Eyasi and the hunter-gatherer bushmen to learn about their way of life. Experience some of the most superb wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. Visit Lake Victoria, and at Mkomazi Nature Reserve on the Kenyan border, spend four days learning side-by-side with renowned conservationist Tony Fitzjohn the work being done at the rhino sanctuary and captive breeding and translocation program for African hunting dogs.
Educator's Adventure to Australia
Two World Heritage Sites collide where the 110 million-old Daintree rainforest meets the world’s largest reef – the Great Barrier – the only place two sites exist side-by-side. The biggest perched lake in the world is found on Fraser Island, and ancient trees dominate the skies over Wooroonooran and Lamington National Parks. Immersed in these rare and historic World Heritage Sites, you will get a true sense of what they represent on a global scale and what their survival means for the earth’s future. An adventure full of wonders, from koala to dingo, to riding the rails and snorkeling, and learning about Aboriginal legends and culture, will be an unforgettable one.
Educator's Adventure to Costa Rica
Don’t just watch the nature channel, experience it! Leave the television remote behind and instead, explore the beauty of Costa Rica – from rivers and volcanoes, to butterfly gardens and dairy farms, to the rainforest canopy, channels, marshes and picture-perfect beaches. Extreme biodiversity and extreme fun! Give back to the communities as you interact with disadvantaged children and participate in service projects. Be part of conservation in action while assisting sea turtle biologists at Tortuguero. New friends, exciting animals and unique lodgings equal an unforgettable experience. Your classroom will never be the same again.
Educator's Adventure to Ecuador & the Islands of the Galapagos
Study in one of Darwin's most famous classrooms as you learn first-hand about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Your introduction begins in Quito from an aerial tram and your upcoming curriculum includes spectacular views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Hike the slopes of Volcano Cotopaxi and cruise the Galapagos, the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle. His zoological and geological discoveries on the voyage resulted in numerous important publications and formed the basis of his theories on evolution. At Finch Bay's Eco-Lodge make a difference by participating in service projects that give back to the community and learn first-hand about Galapagos conservation projects at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Educator's Safari to Kenya
Delve into the African bush for incredible experiences to take back to your classrooms. Your students will be entralled with your first-hand knowledge of how a leopard stalks prey, why a flamingo's pink hues increase after feeding at an alkaline lake in the Great Rift Valley and what an elephant's explosive trumpeting cry announces across the Maasai Mara. Learn about environments rich in biodiversity from sparse scrubs and lush grasslands, to rolling hills and sparkling rivers, and the critical relationship each has with the people and wildlife. Visit local schools and interact with fellow teachers to find out what challenges they face, and learn about the problem-solving skills that Nairobi's poorest areas have enacted to rrehabilitate and enhance natural skills. Remarkable lessons for every classroom.
Educator's Adventure to South Africa & Botswana
Fill your lesson plan with stories about the legends and myths of one of South Africa’s tribes and the kingdom of the Rain Queen, insights from behind-the-scenes at the Pretoria Zoo and in-depth tours at De Wildt Cheetah Trust and Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center. Share the latest studies about elephants and leopards from your time in the African bush with top researchers over coffee in the teacher’s lounge. Speak confidently to your classroom about the socio-economic struggles faced by South Africans during the long road to democracy. Keep to yourself the luxurious lodges and tented camps, the exquisite romance of searching for wildlife in Kruger National Park and the breathtaking beauty of South Africa.
Nature’s Classroom: Elephants - In-Depth Wildlife
Study Safari to Kenya
To truly study elephants, the best university you could attend is Africa and the best professors those who call that classroom home. Feel not only intellectually, but physically alive as the classroom window you gaze out is a Land Rover often bringing you almost within arm’s reach of one of your favorite subjects in the world – elephants. Learn first-hand about the daily life of elephants in some of the most beautiful wildlife reserves of Kenya, often with world-renowned elephant experts and conservationists who have dedicated their lives to the study and preservation of these magnificent animals by your side.
Nature's Classroom: Wild Dogs in South Africa, Botswana & Zambia
A safari is always a learning experience wrapped in adventure. On this unique Southern Africa safari, you will experience exciting wildlife viewing in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in open 4x4 vehicles and on foot, often with wildlife specialists dedicated to saving the wild dog, by your side. Your professional naturalist will be Derek Solomon, well-known ornithologist and active participant in the conservation of wild dogs. Until 20 years ago, wild dogs were widespread across the African continent. One of the most endangered carnivores in the world now, their habitat is severely shrinking and they’re more prone to diseases inflicted by humans and domesticated animals. Study the behavior and ecology of three different populations and interact with field workers in all three countries. Learn first-hand what is being done to save these beautiful animals and help dispel the damaging myths about their behavior.
Teen Adventures to Costa Rica
Your teen will never utter the words, “I’m bored” while exploring the beauty of Costa Rica. Discover the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest from below and at treetop. Feel the tremors of mild volcanic activity and experience living laboratories situated on islands and reserves that leave even scientists amazed. Get involved in a service project and interact with disadvantaged children. New friends, exciting animals and unique lodgings create fun-filled days, and enough knowledge to impress the teachers.
Teen Adventures to South Africa
A ghostly mountain, the Zulu warriors of South Africa and some of the most famous wildlife reserves in South Africa – this is an outrageous adventure chock full of exciting excursions, incredible animals and powerful cultural experiences. Find out what a traditional healer does and watch the centuries-old dance of armed warriors. Look for the famous ‘Big Five’ – elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard – on horseback, by boat, open vehicle and on-foot. Work on projects that benefit local communities and learn about cheetah research. Understand this country’s dramatic history in Soweto – home of the Freedom Struggle against Apartheid. Don’t miss out on this wild ride through Zululand!
