DAKTARI Bush School

  Verified by Volunteer World
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rating

4.6

Perfect


109

Reviews


22

Years in business

The mission of DAKTARI is to educate and inspire local children to value their environment and stimulate community development.

OUR STORY: A LOVE STORY THAT BECAME DAKTARI

Ian and Michele Merrifield officially opened DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in 2006 but it was a long road to make it happen. Ian and Michele met while Ian was working as a game ranger at Tshukudu Game Lodge and Michele was volunteering there as ...

Review Description

OUR STORY: A LOVE STORY THAT BECAME DAKTARI

Ian and Michele Merrifield officially opened DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in 2006 but it was a long road to make it happen. Ian and Michele met while Ian was working as a game ranger at Tshukudu Game Lodge and Michele was volunteering there as well. While hand-raising injured zebras, wildebeest, and warthogs, Ian and Michele fell in love.

Michele had long dreamed about living in Africa and taking care of the wildlife. When she met Ian, she was able to realise that dream. They left Tshukudu after getting married and opened a restaurant in Hoedspruit to start raising capital for their own wildlife orphanage. While there, Ian and Michele helped raise a local boy from the village named Thabo. He had almost no knowledge or understanding of his native wildlife and environment, so Ian and Michele began using the animals in their care to teach him. Thabo's understanding of conservation was typical of children in Limpopo and the idea of adding a bush school was born.

So where did the name DAKTARI come from? Michele says, "When we were younger, there was a TV program called Daktari. It was about a family in Africa, who looked after and raised many different types of orphaned wild animals. As kids we loved it and we remember getting deeply emotionally attached to the different animals." Sounds familiar right? Michele and Ian adopted the name and so DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage was born.

OUR MISSION

The Mission of DAKTARI is to educate and inspire local children to value their environment and stimulate community development.

Through the combination of the bush school and the wildlife orphanage, DAKTARI has developed an immersive educational experience for local children to learn about the wildlife around them, the environment, anti-poaching, and a wide variety of other issues, right in the middle of the bush. Our work extends into their communities through Eco Clubs at the secondary schools, career guidance for the youth, and community development projects.


Contact Person

Pretty Mogofe

Spoken languages: English
  Excellent response rate

DAKTARI Bush School reviews

Maria Haerting rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

Daktari is a really amazing time that I didn't want to leave. My 4 weeks there went by way to fast. In Daktari you get to learn many new things about teaching, animals, South Africa and also yourself. It is so wonderful to help shape the future of the kids that come every week and also to have an ...
Jeanne Duparc rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

I visited Daktari for one week with my husband and two boys aged 11 and 13. Our stay was both fun, educational and a great way for everyone to learn more about South African culture and wildlife. My youngest son was already asking to stay longer after we had only been here one day. We were made ...
Noemie Bibonne rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

having an experience as a volunteer allowed me to learn a lot. i would advise anyone to come and spend a few months in Daktari. this kind of opportunity only comes ...
Henrique Gimenez rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

Be part of Daktari project was one of the most incredible experience in my life. We learnt a lot with the kids during classes and funny moments and the contact with nature and animal is perfect. I hope be able to return one day to live unforgettable moments once again. Thank you ...
femi guljé rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

i had a good time at DAKTARI and learned a lot, i was able to teach the children and take care of the animals. When i first arrived i had a warm welcome and clear introduction. There was a clear schedule and room for ...
Lya Esprabens rating5.0

2023 at Environment and Wildlife Education

Daktari is a beautiful place where we take care of the animals, we help kids to learn things important for their future. I also learn a lot of things and met incredible people. I'm glad to had the chance to have a positive impact on this ...

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DAKTARI Bush School project focus


UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Quality Education
  • Decent Work And Economic Growth
  • Life On Land
  • Partnerships For The Goals