Volunteer with children AND animals in South Africa

DAKTARI is a registered NPO, and it runs both as a bush school, where you will be working hands-on with the children and the animals - our program is open to anyone who wants to make a difference!

In short, here are some of the things you will experience!

• Take an active part in educating underprivileged children about the environment to make a real impact in their community!
• Help care for injured and orphaned animals as part of the educational program.
• Meet the community through our Outreach Program in the local schools and help further our impact in the village!
• Experience Africa by immersing yourself in the community, or visiting some of the iconic sights and areas surrounding the DAKTARI Farm!

Our age restriction is 18 years and older; however, we can accept you if you are 17, BUT we would need a consent letter from your parents. Please also take a look at the law for underage travelers to SA and the documents required.

The English level of the children is very low, but you should still talk to them in English. You will also want to communicate with the local community and with other volunteers from around the world. You do not have to be perfectly bilingual, but we do recommend that you express yourself in English to make your experience even more rewarding. You will share a cottage called a "rondavel" or Chalet with others. Each chalet can take between 3 and 5 volunteers; boys and girls are accommodated separately. DAKTARI is located in the bush, on a private reserve of 650 ha, and you will have the opportunity to observe animals such as buffalo, giraffes, kudus, warthogs, zebras, impalas, beautiful birds, etc. You will participate mainly in the educational program for the children. You will also take care of the animals, such as cleaning the camps, feeding them, and helping with renovations if necessary. You can also visit the local villages as part of our community program.

• Several times a year, we also run a Job Hunting Program where we invite local unemployed youths to our camp and teach them the skills they need to find a job. Visit our community page for more information. When the children are busy writing their exams, DAKTARI invites local unemployed youths to the camp to help them learn the skills they need to find a job. At this time, we do not have children at the camp but students.

In the Limpopo province, unemployment is very high, so DAKTARI offers a five-day modified curriculum designed to teach young adults how to find a job. This includes CV and cover letter workshops, job-interview practice, and confidence-building exercises. They also set up email accounts and learn basic internet skills. As environmental education is at the core of our organization, they still have important lessons on the environment, such as anti-poaching and social talks on respect, substance abuse, and safe sex. At the end of the week, they leave with improved interview skills, a complete and comprehensive CV, a plan on how they will approach their job-hunting, and the confidence to go out and find a job to support themselves and their family.

Throughout the years, DAKTARI has helped several youths from our job hunting program gain employment at local game reserves and even at DAKTARI.

We have been going for more than 12 years now, and have a very structured set-up, making sure you are safe and looked after from the moment you arrive in South Africa to the moment you leave! Even if you miss your connecting flight, we have friends and contacts that can look after you – just keep us informed!

The rate of your stay at DAKTARI as a volunteer includes a donation to help us to invite more children, and to take care of the animals. It is a sad fact that many of the underprivileged children have never had the opportunity to see indigenous wildlife, which is their heritage. Thanks to our volunteers, this is possible.

RATES for 2027 per person:

Period EURO GBP

1 week 710 € £590

2 weeks 1,3500 € £1,120

3 weeks 1,850 € £1,540

4 weeks 2,200 € £1,830

6 weeks 2,900 € £2,410

8 weeks 3,600 € £2,990

12 weeks 5,000 € £4,150

Click here for the currency converter!

Your fees include:

• Transfers from/to DAKTARI camp and from/to Hoedspruit Town/Airport, for arrivals on Saturdays
• Three meals per day (we do cater for vegetarians and vegans), tea, coffee, juice
• Accommodation including bedding and towels
• Laundry (daily)
• One trip to town per week
• Working in the community (Outreach program)
• Wi-Fi

Your fees exclude:

• Flights, internal and international
• International Travel and/or Medical insurance
• Personal toiletries such as shampoo, sunblock, mosquito cream
• Sodas, cokes, alcohol