Thandile Wild Heart Volunteers is based at the heart of Thandile Country Lodge,  a soulful horse ranch and game farm in the Waterberg, South Africa. But Thandile is more than just a place. It’s a story.

The lodge is part of the original farm Arnot, with roots tracing back to 1852. Once a peaceful retreat for the Grobler/Botha family, it later became a sanctuary for rest and reconnection when Magdel and Cobus Daniel took over. After years of working and traveling across the African continent, Magdel would return here to unwind, to breathe again. That spirit of “coming home” is woven into every corner of the farm.

The name Thandile, meaning “I loved it” in Zulu, was lovingly given by Maria Mokoena, the family’s longtime housekeeper. It's a name that captures what most people feel when they spend time here: a sense of magic, peace, and deep connection to the land.

Thandile Country Lodge officially opened in 2012, and from the very beginning, it has been a place where people arrive as strangers but leave as friends.

Why We Started This Program

We launched Thandile Wild Heart Volunteers because we believe in more than just volunteering. We believe in real experiences. In working with your hands. In the power of nature, animals, and adventure to open your heart.

Our program is for people who love to get their hands dirty, who feel most alive surrounded by animals, who are eager to contribute, and who don’t mind stepping off the beaten path.

Whether you're helping build new cabins, caring for rescued horses, or exploring the bush on horseback, this isn’t a passive experience. It’s active, meaningful, and real. We work hard, we laugh a lot, and we make time to soak in the beauty of the African land.

And yes..  it’s called Wildheart for a reason. This place is for the ones who crave a little more freedom, a little more fire, and a little more connection – with animals, with people, and with themselves.