Leaving for South Africa to volunteer is not something you decide to do every day. Yet for Philipp, joining DAKTARI quickly felt like the right choice. Encouraged by a friend who had already experienced the programme, he was attracted by the combination of animal care and working with children.

Before arriving, he had seen pictures of the camp, but he did not expect it to be so large and so remote. “It really feels like you are in the middle of nowhere,” he explains. Surrounded by nature and wildlife, the camp has a unique atmosphere where everyone seems relaxed and happy.

Even though the journey worried him a little—especially flying and the idea of snakes everywhere—he now says the trip was absolutely worth it. In fact, he jokes that he is almost disappointed that he still has not seen a wild snake yet.

Immersed in Nature and New Discoveries

When he first arrived, Philipp was impressed by the beauty of the landscape and the constant presence of animals around the camp. Nature is everywhere, both inside and outside the enclosures, making every day feel different and exciting.

Settling in with the other volunteers happened naturally, despite the large number of French volunteers currently at the camp. “Right now there are French volunteers everywhere, so as a German I’m part of a minority… but just like in Europe, we are still good neighbours and friends.”

Daily Life at Bush Camp

Life at DAKTARI starts much earlier than in Germany, but Philipp quickly adapted to the rhythm. The mornings usually begin with feeding and caring for the animals before moving on to different tasks throughout the day.

Some days involve teaching lessons to the children, while others are focused on cleaning enclosures or helping around the camp. He also sometimes joins the outreach manager on visits to nearby schools, where they teach students about wildlife and environmental protection.

“Every day is fruitful and different,” he says.

Among all the experiences he has had so far, the most emotional moment was saying goodbye to the children at the end of his first week. During their stay, he watched them grow, learn, and become more confident. Their gratitude towards the volunteers deeply touched him.

“Seeing how much they learned during the week and hearing them thank us almost made me cry,” he admits.

A Life-Changing Experience

Although Philipp loves his life in Germany, he explains that living at DAKTARI has given him a completely different perspective on daily life. Compared to Europe, everything feels less stressful, slower, and more connected to nature.

He especially appreciates being surrounded by wildlife and experiencing things he has never experienced before.

To anyone hesitating to try volunteering abroad, his answer is simple:

“Just take the risk—it’s worth it.”

Growing up in a small German village means he never really considered himself a “city person.” Of course, he sometimes misses simple things like going to a café or a shop whenever he wants, but he has also learned to enjoy living with what is available around him.

Quick-Fire Questions

When asked what is most terrifying—a giant spider, a 5 a.m. alarm, running out of sunscreen, or slow Wi-Fi—Philipp immediately chose the spider, although luckily, he has barely seen any so far.

As for secretly searching for flights back to Germany? Not at all. In fact, he jokes that he is more likely to look for ways to delay his flight home.

And the animal he regrets trying to pet?

“Caline (a female hyrax in DAKTARI),” he laughs, after she confused his hand with something edible.

Finally, if there is one thing he wishes he had packed more of, it would definitely be sweaters, because the South African nights are much colder than he expected.

More Than Just a Trip

After only one week at DAKTARI, Philipp already feels deeply inspired by the experience. Between the children, the animals, the volunteers, and the connection with nature, this adventure has become much more than a simple trip abroad—it has become a truly human and unforgettable experience.