Home - DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

WELCOME TO DAKTARI BUSH SCHOOL & WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is a local NGO located in the South African bush near Kruger National Park Founded in 2006, DAKTARI works to educate and inspire children to value their environment and stimulate community development.

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage provides the perfect environment for local children to learn about their natural heritage. The children come to DAKTARI for five days and complete lessons in our Environmental Education Program. In addition, the children help care for some of our animals in captivity who cannot be rehabilitated or released back into the wild. This program instills a sense of care, respect, and empathy towards animals and wildlife in their communities. Volunteers come from around the world to teach lessons and guide the children in caring for the animals at DAKTARI.

DAKTARI also runs an Outreach Program to extend our reach and create a more significant impact on the local communities. The weekly ECO Club and Wildlife Crime Campaigns help inspire children and ignite positive attitudes towards their valuable environmental heritage.

From April 8th to April 12th, DAKTARI will participate in the “Little x Little” Campaign that will only happen once in 2024. We would like to count on your support!

Little x Little is a Global Giving campaign in which all the donations up to USD 50/ received during those 5 days, will be matched at 50%.

Let’s make it more simple! If you donate $20, DAKTARI will receive $30.

Discover DAKTARI!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Come volunteer with us and experience living in the South African bush!

MAKE A DONATION

If you want to support our cause, you can easily donate by clicking the button below.

ABOUT DAKTARI

Want to know how DAKTARI came to be? Then click below to read the whole story!

DAKTARI NEWS

Read through DAKTARI’s blog to get updated on what’s happening at the camp.

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.

     Excellent  
     Based on 25 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Martinez Jade 
 2024-01-09
 
 
  Je suis partie pendant 2 mois 1/2 en Afrique du Sud au sein de Daktari pour valider mon année universitaire. Cette expérience a été bien plus enrichissante que ce que je pensais avant de partir. La découverte des animaux et des populations locales a eu un impact important sur ma vision de la vie et du monde. Je vous conseille d’y aller et de profiter de ces réveils matinaux qui sont parfois pas très agréables mais inoubliables mais surtout d’apporter votre touche à cette organisation et aux gens que vous rencontrerez.
  
 
       
   Clem Maitrehanche 
 2023-12-15
 
 
  My volunteering experience with the Daktari Bush School and Wildlife Orphanage has been very rewarding. I have developed many skills working alongside the children as a teacher and gained a great deal of knowledge about the animals in the refuge. The atmosphere at the camp is excellent, the facilities are top quality and the scenery is incredible. The founders of the association and the teams on site did a fantastic job, which enabled me to experience an unforgettable adventure. I would like to thank them for their warm welcome and hope to see them again as soon as possible.
  
 
       
   Erica Mielke 
 2023-12-08
 
 
  Maravilhosa a experiência!
  
 
       
   Elisabeth Gaucher 
 2023-12-08
 
 
  Very 👍
  
 
       
   Mahlatse Mauwane 
 2023-10-18
 
 
  I've met friendly people, learned how to take care of our animals and environment. Free accommodation, food, swimming pool and acces to wi-fi. Its a best place to learn about wildlife ♥️🇿🇦
  
 
       
   laurita 
 2022-03-19
 
 
  Wonderful stay at Daktari Bush school as a volunteer. You feel like family and you ve got so many things to do and see. Team and volunteers make it all and I miss you guys though I was there for a short time !