Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

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10 / 10 after 10 Reviews Based on overall, support & value average ratings

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LIFE EXPERIENCE !

During 6 months I was the Office Assistant at DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage. I am so happy to have chosen DAKTARI, it turned out to be one of the best experience of my life.

I had the chance to work with a young team. They welcomed me warmly, making my experience unforgettable. I had so much fun at work, I learned so many new things. It is a perfect occasion to meet awesome people around the world. I felt living in a huge family.

DAKTARI’s camp feels like a home away from home! I had at my disposal many facilities such as bar, braai are and swimming pool. The food was very good, with chefs adapting to our special dietary requirements (vegetarians).

This is such a special place. Situated right in the middle of the bush, we are living around wild animals. Total escape !

If you love community project, teaching children and take care of animal, this project is for you. I can highly recommend this project. I just want to thank everybody I met during my internship who be able to make this inedible experience. I will always remember it !

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Location:
Posted: May 27, 2021
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: lea
Age:
21

I spent 3 unbelievable weeks working with animals; teaching some amazing kids everything from why animals are important to the economy to valuable and practical environmental lessons; and hanging out with the exceptional staff and volunteers. The time flew and I left wishing I could stay. The people and animals of Daktari will always hold a special place in my heart.
The accommodation was great, the food was fantastic and the company was phenomenal.
This trip refreshed my mind, body and soul in ways that I couldn't imagine.
Worth every penny.

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Location:
Posted: September 15, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: Jellenby
Age:
53

In only two weeks DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage made me feel like I was at home. I lived the best moments of my life in this amazing project. The environment with the other volunteers and staff is just amazing, I will forever miss those people. I truly didn't want to come back home. The animals, the kids, and the overall community was so much more that what I was expecting. I admit, I am a princess and never was a bush girl, but the patience that you had for my comfort was endless.

DAKTARI, I owe you a huge THANK YOU, you are the best.

I will eternally miss you,

Your non bush girl.

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Location:
Posted: April 26, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
Age:
18

We Went to volunteer in South Africa at DAKTARI Bush School & Animal Orphanage because we wanted to show our teenage sons (17 & 15) a "real" South African bush with its animals, people and scenery.
Our stay exceeded all expectations! Upon arrival, inclusion by the staff and other volunteers was wonderfully warm & easy. Accomodations simple yet Clean. The work with the animals and teaching Children was fun, interesting and rewarding : as active professionals my husband and I are extremely busy in our Daily lives... here, the whole family relaxed and the one week we spent, felt like one month.

it was the most wonderful experience and adventure we have had as a family! We highly recommend it!

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Location:
Posted: September 2, 2016
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: SER
Age:
52

As a primary school teacher, I wanted to find a productive way to spend my summer holidays, and Daktari Bush School seemed like the perfect way to spend a couple of weeks; teaching local children and working with animals.
I was a little nervous when I first arrived as this was my first time travelling solo, but I soon realised I had no reason to be! Ian was there at the airport to greet myself and another volunteer, and he immediately made us feel welcome. He even stopped the car a few times on the way back to show us the giraffes and other animals! Arriving at Daktari, the warm welcome continued and it seemed like Ian and Michele had created a proper little Daktari family. After settling in, we were invited to join the other volunteers on an overnight safari, organised by Greg, which was such a fantastic experience and allowed me to bond with the other volunteers before the children arrived, and get a real taste of Africa.
At the start of both weeks, the children were so shy and quiet, but it was fantastic to see them growing in confidence and knowledge as the week progressed. By the time Thursday rolled around, we were all toasting marshmallows on the bonfire, with the children teaching us different songs, chants and dances.
The teaching programme at Daktari covered so many areas in such a short space of time, but it managed to do it in a way that kept the children engaged and motivated. As volunteers, we were encouraged to improve the lessons, so we worked on the existing knowledge hunt lesson to create a challenging scavenger hunt. The children got incredibly competitive running around the camp looking for the clues, and it was great to see them helping the other children in their team.
I was also given the opportunity to visit a local crèche as part of Daktari’s outreach programme and teach a lesson to the 3-4 year olds. It was a real eye opener, and such a contrast from my school back in England.
All in all, I have had such a fantastic experience at Daktari, and my only regret was that it didn’t last longer! It’s incredible what Ian and Michele have achieved at Daktari in 10 years, and it’s clear the impact it has on the children, animals, local communities, and the volunteers who visit. I cannot recommend it enough, and I hope very much to visit again in the not too distant future!

Program:
Location:
Posted: August 29, 2016
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
Age:
23

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