South Africa: Animals and children

About the local hosting organization

Our partner is a local NGO located in the South African bush near Kruger National Park. Founded in 2006, this organization works to educate and inspire children to value their environment and stimulate community development. Our partner provides the perfect environment for local children to learn about their natural heritage. The children come to the organization 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 children in caring for the animals at our partner's facility. The organization 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.

Presentation of the programme

Each week DAKTARI invites children from the local underprivileged schools to stay at DAKTARI for 5 days. We take between eight and ten children at a time, which provides a unique opportunity for them to benefit from a more individual learning experience. You will be teaching these children. We believe that education is the only way to a better future, and therefore we have developed an educational program with special focus on the environment and wildlife. A very important aspect of DAKTARI is the wildlife orphanage. We care for animals that are hurt, orphaned or too tame to be rehabilitated into the wild. They also serve as a great education medium for the children who assist in the daily care, cleaning and feeding of these animals. We cannot always guarantee having children at DAKTARI due to either the school holidays OR exam periods. During these test periods, volunteers take time to raise environmental awareness in various other schools and communities.

About the accomodation

We do have 4 mains chalets for volunteers at DAKTARI, each one offering a capacity of 3 to 5 single beds. Male and Female are not mixed in the same chalet unless specific requests. You will be provided with sheets, blankets and a mosquito net. Your bed laundry will be cleaned and changed once a week. Each chalet is equipped with one bathroom including a toilet, a sink and a shower with hot and cold water EXCEPT for chalet 2 & the cabins. DAKTARI is not on the National Grid to have electricity. Fortunately, over the years we could invest in solar power but this energy is limited and only available when the SUN is up. You are able to charge your devices in the meeting area. This charging station works during daylight hours only from 7am to 4.30pm. You will not be able to use any hairdryer or hair straightener.

About the food

- Breakfast --> Fruits, cereals, toast, peanut butter and jam. - Lunch --> cold meat and/or salads - Dinner --> cooked meal/meat with vegetables. It seems that more and more people have special dietary requirements these days, such as gluten free, lactose free, vegetarians, vegans etc. DAKTARI will cater for you if you are vegetarian or vegan, but please understand that gluten free and organic products are very expensive and difficult to source locally. We would strongly advise you to provide and/or bring any food replacement needed for any intolerance or allergy you may have. Please remember to specify your request when completing your booking.

About the leisure activities

Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Moholoholo rehabilitation centre, Tshukudu bush camp.

Requirements

A volunteer can stay on a project from 1 to 12 weeksPrices2026 Euro (€)                        GBP (£) 1 week €710.00                  £590.00 2 weeks €1,350.00             £1,120.00 3 weeks €1,850.00             £1,540.00 4 weeks €2,200.00             £1,830.00 5 weeks €2,550.00             £2,120.00 6 weeks €2,900.00             £2,410.00 7 weeks €3,250.00             £2,700.00 8 weeks €3,600.00             £2,990.00 9 weeks €3,950.00             £3,280.00 10 weeks €4,300.00           £3,570.00 11 weeks €4,650.00           £3,860.00 12 weeks €5,000.00           £4,150.00