WELCOME TO DAKTARI BUSH SCHOOL & WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE
DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is an NGO founded in 2006 located in the South African bush, near Kruger National Park. DAKTARI works to educate and inspire children to value their environment and stimulate community development.
DAKTARI provides the perfect environment for children to learn about their natural heritage. The children visit DAKTARI for 5 days to complete the teaching program and work with the animals in our wildlife orphanage. Volunteers from all over the world teach the lessons and guide the children in caring for the animals.
DAKTARI also runs an outreach program for a greater impact in the communities. The weekly ECO CLUB and Wildlife Crime campaigns give the children the opportunity to 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
