MEET THE TEAM

Meet the team of the people that give their everything every single day to make DAKTARI the best it can be.
Our team consists of both paid local staff and international volunteers that devote 6 or more months of their life to our cause.

Co-Founders
Ian and Michèle met at Tshukudu Lodge many years ago and fell in love. After getting married, they created DAKTARI in 2006. Michèle’s favourite animal is a dassie and Ian’s an elephant.
Camp maintenance Manager
Lucky is 38 years old and lives in Enable. His favourite animal is a elephant. His passion is to carve wooden animals.
Sales & Bookings Manager
Pretty is 29 years old and comes from Turkey Zone 1, South Africa. She has been at DAKTARI since November 2016 and her favourite animal is a porcupine.
Outreach Director
Camilla is 25 years and is the Outreach Director at DAKTARI. She makes sure that everything runs smoothly for our community outreach programs such as the Eco Club and Wildlife Crime Campaigns!
Animal Care Manager
José is from the Canary Islands. He is a vet and takes great care and loves every animal at DAKTARI.
Office Manager
Patience is 26 years old. She comes from Turkey zone 1 and has been working at DAKTARI since January. Her favourite animal is a meerkat.
Volunteer Coordinator
Lebo is 30 years old and comes from Turkey zone 1. She started working at DAKTARI in May 2019. Her favourite animal is a lion.
Outreach Manager
Rian is 31 years old and comes from The Netherlands. She helps Camilla on the outreach program, especially on the Eco Club. Her favorite animal is a giraffe.
Head cook
Khutso is 31 years old and comes from Turkey zone 1. He diligently prepares meals for everyone at the camp.
Camp Maintenance
Thabo is 34 years old from Turkey village. Thabo knows the Merrifield’s since he was 14 years old. He is working at DAKTARI since January 2022. His favorite animal is the bushbaby.
Housekeeping
Nakedi is 26 years old and lives in Turkey Zone 1. He started working at DAKTARI in May 2021, under the Yes4youth programme for 12 months. and his favourite animal is a cheetah.
Fundraising manager
Olivier is 20 years old and comes from France. He loves to play music and discover new things. His favourite animal is the bushbaby.
Marketing Manager
Marie is from France and loves travelling and cuddling our meerkats. She runs our social medias !
Project Manager
Gustavo is our project manager coming from Brazil! He likes to travel the world and his favorite animal is a toucan!