Your project starts with a 2-day orientation in Johannesburg. Arrive in Joburg or Jozi, as it is known locally, and get shown around by people who know the city well. The orientation is excellent for first-time visitors to find their feet the local way and meet other volunteers on your project.

Day 1
You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the hostel. Here you will be given a chance to settle down before meeting your volunteer representative. You will be given a briefing on your volunteer program and then meet other travellers and volunteers for a welcome dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast you will be collected from the hostel and shown around the sites of Johannesburg like a local. We will start off with a visits to Soweto, South Africa’s biggest Township here you will have the opportunity to take some photos at the iconic Orlando Towers and Soccer City, home of the World Cup Final. We then head to a local food market where you can have a light lunch, shop for local arts and crafts and listen to some live music. After lunch we head to Constitution Hill, home of our South African Democracy and an integral part of our history. We then end the tour with a walk through the park at Zoo Lake, a pleasant end to the day. Please note that the tour itinerary is flexible and may change according to the group’s interests for the day. This is your personal tour of our lovely city with our local guide to show you the best sites and places.

Day 3
After breakfast we will either take you directly to your project site, shuttle terminal or airport.

The farm is located roughly 425 km away from Johannesburg International Airport (about a 5-hour drive) and a short 70 km from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (about a 1-hour drive). The camp is fenced in and the farm is in a protected area. You won't need to worry about crime while staying with us and we take precautions to make sure that our staff and children are safe from the predatory animals in the nearby area.

This project has three focus areas.

1) Wildlife Orphanage
The purpose of the wildlife orphanage is to provide a home for un-releasable or orphaned animals that inspire passion for the environment in the children that visit. The wildlife orphanage houses more than thirty species of animals. From cheetahs to crocodiles to meerkats, eighty animals call the wildlife orphanage home. These animal ambassadors are unable to survive in their natural habitat so they live at the orphanageI and help to educate the children. The students are actively involved in animal care during their time here where they see and interact with these animals for the first time. This unique experience inspires them to protect their local wildlife and environment.

2) Bush School
The purpose of the bush school is to provide a close and engaging learning experience which motivates grade 8 students to care for their environment, while teaching them important life skills. The children who visit are from the local secondary schools in the nearby villages. The teaching program is a mix of environmental education, life skills training, animal interactions, and social issue discussions. The lessons are taught by volunteers and class sizes are kept small with each child receiving individual attention during the week. The lesson topics include anti-poaching, politeness, job opportunities in game reserves, and discussions are surrounding social issues like substance abuse and safe sex.

3) Community Work
The impact of the Teaching Program is increased through the Eco Clubs and community projects. The Outreach Program consists of three parts: Eco Clubs at the secondary schools, community development projects, and career guidance. The Eco Clubs are an extension of the teaching program at DAKTARI. The voluntary activity-based clubs teach students more about the environment and wildlife. The students also plan and implement projects to improve their community, such as planting trees or cleaning the village. Local unemployed youth are periodically welcomed to the camp for career guidance where they learn the skills they need to find a job.

From Monday to Friday you will be teaching a group of eight 13-16-year old children about the environment, the importance of protecting wildlife and social issues. Your day starts at 07:00 and lessons begin at 09:00. Classes are finished around 16:30 when you will have group discussions with the children. You will play games with the children, join them in the pool, and dance around the bonfire to their favourite songs. You also work with the kids to feed and care for the animals.

On Saturdays you can take a trip into Hoedspruit. This gives you the opportunity to do any shopping you might need and a chance to get out of the camp for a while. There are plenty of great restaurants in town to have lunch at. Sundays are your day off. You can plan a day excursion if you like or just relax at the camp. We are happy to help you plan a trip or put you in touch with a local guide. If you are interested in taking a longer break over the weekend (Friday to Sunday), you are welcome to arrange that with our staff.

As the nature of the work varies, volunteers are placed under the supervision of various staff members. We will have one member of our team assigned as team leader to facilitate the smooth operation of the volunteers' stay and provide guidance where necessary.

Our Volunteer Coordinator is always around to ensure everyone follows the rules and is available to answer any questions or concerns you might have during your stay. There is a medical kit in the office should anything happen, and if it's more serious the volunteer will be driven to the nearest doctor/hospital. Some of our staff members have been working with the animals for more than 5 years now, and our Animal Manager has received training in handling reptiles, animal behaviour/tracking and rehabilitation.

Please note that some animals do NOT like direct contact. If they do approach you, just remain calm and stand still. Even if the animals appear tame, we must respect them at all times. If you do not feel comfortable in certain places with the animals, inform your team leader for assistance. On your arrival at the project, all volunteers will get a tour around the camp and the rules and safety precautions whilst at the project will be explained to you. On each enclosure there are signs stating which animals are safe to go in to and which are not. During your first week you will be guided by either a staff member or another volunteer who ha's been at the project longer so you will not be alone.

Airport pick-up
2-day orientation in Johannesburg
Accommodation
Three meals a day (on project)
24-hour support & supervision
Weekly transport to town for shopping
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Completed application form
Agreement to Volunteer Policies (a signed copy of the document to be sent to the project before arrival)
Police Clearance Certificate
Travel insurance
The most important things to bring are a sense of humour, patience, an open mind and a positive attitude!
Acceptance subject to availability

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.