Program Reviews

One of the best experience I had so far. Meaningful activities throughout the day that you feel a great sense of fulfilment. I have learnt a lot from the stabling staff, volunteer coordinators, and even the children themselves. Coming from a country where we do not get to see and interact with animals in our daily lives, I am amazed by the efforts and thoughts put in to protect and take care of the animals which were injured/harmed. I really love the lessons here with the children, and to see how they grow and improve through the week. Some were really shy and reserved at first, but as the days go, they opened up and they are definitely a joy to teach! This is definitely a great experience for me and I will be more than willing to encourage more of my friends to come !

If your passion lies in community enrichment via education, wildlife, nature conservation, then Daktari Bush School is definitely the place to go. It is a unique experience that goes beyond teaching or wildlife conservation, but it is also about connecting the local children with the wildlife and nature in their homeland. There is also a great support system from the volunteer coordinators and also fellow international volunteers that will make you feel right at home, even if this is your first time teaching or getting close to animals/wildlife.

For my first time in South Africa and overseas volunteering experience, the only bad point I could think of was that I was only able to stay for a week and not longer, and I'll definitely come back again.

This experience was unique because it's a chance to work with the animals and child together. and we feel that we are helping them not taking jobs that could be done by South Africans. The deferents cultures give the children a chance to learn more about the world and deferents countries. We the volunteers had a chance to share your countries, experience, and traditions. `The children teach us a lot too. About their language, traditions, and culture. what was beautiful to see was their dancing. To dance is very important to their culture and the bonfire is a chance for us to learn their dancing skills. I think that Daktari is deferent because we are really helping them is not like going somewhere where we are taking jobs and not helping anyone.

My experience at Daktari was amazing. I got to spend time with animals I never thought I would see so close. I got to be surrounded by wild nature for a month. I also had the opportunity to teach kids about something I hold very dearly; the environment. And I had the pleasure of being part of the Job Hunting Program, which helps young adults with teaching e-mail, cv, confidence at job interviews, ...

It was real fun to be there with both locals who shared their culture with us and international travelers such as me. Everyone was very polite and welcoming!

What really made this experience one I'll never forget, is the excursions that we could do on the weekends. I went to Kruger Park, Panorama Route, Blyde Canyon and Tshkudu Game Reserve.

All in all, I'm very happy that I had this experience and I'm sad that it's over!

Daktari was my first volunteer experience, and I'm so glad that's the case - it has been truly special to me. It was the first time staying abroad this long for me, and I wish I could stay longer. Time flies - if you think you want to stay for two weeks, stay a month. If you think you want to stay for one month, stay two.

The animals are great too - meerkats, mongoose, ostriches, squirrels, a cheetah, a wild dog, dassies (what are they even?), owls, eagles, a baby waterbuck and more! There's a crazy marmoset monkey that roams the camp, stealing your food and asking for belly rubs. So yeah, the animals are fun - but the people are the best.

I think it requires a certain mindset to volunteer anywhere, especially for a long term position, so the people you meet here will resonate with you - I'm certain. The atmosphere in the camp, the jokes, the dinners, all the little things make this a truly unforgettable experience.

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage was the best experience I've ever had. I stayed 5 months as the Office Assistant for my internship and I enjoyed it so much. During this time I met such wonderful volunteers and incredible staff members.
I can say that the DAKTARI's team is like a family to me. It's really how we feel there, with a new family. Moreover, we are living in an incredible environment. Every morning you wake up in the bush with the animals sounds. See a giraffe, a monkey or an antilope is normal here and that is amazing.
I did the volunteer program during one week and for me it's really complete. The lessons are interesting and see the evolution of the kids and our impact on them is wonderful.
Taking care of the animals is nice too, dassie, mongoose, merkaat, cheetah or wild dog. I was happy to see how we can give a second-chance in life to these animals injured or abandoned.

Well, what can I say except thank you DAKTARI for these 5 months, I will never forget it and will always have you in my heart.
So, of course, at 100% I recommend this amazing experience!!!

My time at Daktari was incredibly unique and memorable. You are surrounded by the peaceful, relaxing bush, but life in the camp is busy! You have the chance to work both with children and with wild animals. I found that even though I'm not a natural kid-person, working with the children was one of my favorite parts. I also have the chance to work with some of the animals - from hand-feeding Nyala to cuddling with meerkats and baby mongoose. And the staff and other volunteers here at Daktari really make it feel like home. The accommodation, food, and activities are all designed to give volunteers a great and immersive experience. My stay was only 3 weeks, but in that time, I know that I've made an impact on the lives of children as well as gotten so much out of the program personally. It was the kind of experience that changes your life for the better.

it was a great experience with wild animals like the mongoose and the dassie. I discovered so much animals that i dont know like the bush baby.
We have the chance to work with so different animals...people were so kind, the staff the volunteers etc. Also a very good cooking.
The teaching experience with the children was super. The kids were awesome, the program was very interesting like the environment or the anti poaching.
We have also lots of opportunity to make excursion to discover the main thing of the region like the Kruger park , make cheetah walk, game reserve, and lot of other things.
You have the opportunity to make a home stay in the village around and live a day in a South African family.
I really recommend this program to the people who want live another experience!!

My experience at Daktari was great I mainly enjoyed my time with the kids. In fact, the teaching program was really well thought and helpful for the volonteers (You have all the informations that you need inside). You can teach kids about environment, anti-poaching for exemple. You take care of the kids because you have to sensibilise them about drugs, safe sex ... Most of them don't know about many things about those topics so it is so important for them.
I was disapointed, because I really thought to take care of wildlife animals. You can see some wildlife animals around the camp like girafe for exemple but you don't take care of them unfortunately.
I really appreciate to live in an international environment. You can work with a lot of differents people who they came of different country and it is so rewarding.

I spend 11 weeks at Daktari and it was definitely worth my time! It was very interesting to meet so many different people (and animals). Daktari has volunteers from all over the world which creates a fun group of people.
Being able to combine education with caring for animals (for a relatively low price!) was great! It is really important for these kids to learn about their own environment and how to take care of it and thereby themselves.
The teaching program keeps you busy during the week but in the weekend you have time to do cool excursions such as: going to Kruger, a boat cruise through the Blyde river canyon, walking with cheetahs, flying in a hot air balloon, a scenic mountain road trip and many other amazing things.
I would recommend this experience to anyone who loves sunsets, animals and teaching.