In January 2026, DAKTARI faced some of the worst flooding in recent years. Heavy rainfall caused extensive damage across Limpopo, including DAKTARI, where the bridge providing access to our camp was completely washed away.

As we shared in our previous article, our team worked hard to care for the animals, maintain our programmes and manage the damage caused by the floods. But once the water receded, an important question remained: how could we rebuild the bridge and restore safe access to DAKTARI?

A Vital Connection to DAKTARI

The bridge is an essential part of our infrastructure. It provides access for our staff, volunteers, suppliers and partners, making it possible for our daily activities to continue.

Rebuilding it therefore became one of our main priorities. However, the project required careful planning, technical expertise and significant funding.

With the support of our donors and the wider DAKTARI community, we were able to begin working towards a long-term solution.

From Plans to Construction

An important step came when the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) generously provided a technical framework for the new bridge.

On 20 May, engineers visited DAKTARI to assess the site and help move the reconstruction plans forward. From there, the project gradually progressed from drawings and planning to construction.

Rebuilding the bridge was not simply about replacing what had been lost. It was an opportunity to create a stronger and more reliable crossing that could better withstand future challenges.

A Community Effort

Throughout the reconstruction, life at DAKTARI continued. Our team continued caring for the animals, welcoming volunteers and running our environmental education programmes.

The bridge project also showed us the importance of the community around DAKTARI. Donations, professional expertise and encouragement from people in South Africa and around the world all helped make the reconstruction possible.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort.

Looking Ahead

Today, seeing the completed bridge is an important milestone for DAKTARI. After the destruction caused by the floods, we can once again cross safely and continue our work without the uncertainty that followed the disaster.

The bridge is more than a structure connecting DAKTARI to the road. It represents the resilience of our team and the incredible support of the community that stood beside us.

After a difficult start in 2026, we are grateful to have reached this point and look forward to continuing our mission to inspire the youth to protect nature and shape their future.