Daktari Bush School and Animal Orphanage in South Africa

Daktari wants to educate and inspire children to care for their environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage.

Daktari was created by Michèle and Ian Merrifield, who registered it as a non-profit company in 2002.

It is an organisation of people who care, not only for animals and nature, but also for those less fortunate than themselves.

The word “Daktari” is an indigenous form of the word “doctor” – one who cares for life.

We are a wildlife orphanage which uses orphaned wild animals as an education medium. Volunteers and staff supplement the school curriculum by giving a hands-on education, in existing school subjects, and at the same time provide an environmental experience.

The goals of the organization include learning through working together and improving the quality of life of all participants, including the animals.

Our mottos are:

“Care for life”

and

“Make a plan”