WELCOME TO DAKTARI BUSH SCHOOL & WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE
DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is a local NGO located in the South African bush near Kruger National Park. Founded in 2006, DAKTARI works to educate and inspire children to value their environment and stimulate community development.
DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage provides the perfect environment for local children to learn about their natural heritage. The children come to DAKTARI for five days and complete lessons in our Environmental Education Program. In addition, the children help care for some of our animals in captivity who cannot be rehabilitated or released back into the wild. This program instills a sense of care, respect, and empathy towards animals and wildlife in their communities. Volunteers come from around the world to teach lessons and guide the children in caring for the animals at DAKTARI.
DAKTARI also runs an Outreach Program to extend our reach and create a more significant impact on the local communities. The weekly ECO Club and Wildlife Crime Campaigns help inspire children and ignite positive attitudes towards their valuable environmental heritage.
CHILDREN HELPED
VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED
HOW DAKTARI CAME TO BE
Ian and Michèle Merrifield officially opened DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in 2006 but it was a long road to make it happen. Ian and Michèle met while Ian was working as a game ranger at Tshukudu Game Lodge and Michèle was volunteering there. While hand-raising injured zebras, wildebeest, and warthogs, Ian and Michèle fell in love.
NOTES FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS
I spent one week in DAKTARI and it was a very interesting experience. Even if i was there for only a week i feel like i was part of a big family. it was so cool to be surrounded by all thoses wonderful animals (already missed the meerkats). The teaching program for the kids is also very interesting and i recommend this adventure.LESLIE
VOLUNTEER IN DECEMBER 2021
I stayed at Daktari for 2 months and had an amazing time there.I have been welcomed and treated as a part of the family and I have met so many incredible people. I really enjoyed working with children and animals, I learned so much. It was the best experience of my life and I will never forget all the memories I have created during my stay.
Thank you for everything.
SARA
VOLUNTEER IN AUGUST 2021
I would recommend Daktari to everyone who want to make a difference in the life of children and who are looking to work with animals as well. When you stay here for a long time you will become part of a family that takes care off each other. I believe and love what they are doing. Volunteering at Daktari has bin one of the best decisions I ever took.
See you soon Daktari!STIJN
VOLUNTEER IN NOVEMBER 2019
That was a great experience! It was my first time doing volunteer work, and I could learned a lot, have fun, great moments, know people from all world, teach kids... but I can tell that they teach me about everything of life... and about love! Thank you DAKTARI for give us this experience, and the amazing staff that are our new friends! Lets together!CAROLINA
VOLUNTEER IN OCTOBER 2021
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in DAKTARI and it was an unforgettable experience. The all staff are friendly, and they make you fell at home, the food was delicious. We could mixed with other international volunteers and staff all time and we had so much fun in teaching program, animal care and all activities.CASSIO
VOLUNTEERS IN OCTOBER 2021
