Whenever I am sad or feeling down, I watch Dean Schneider clips.
Not familiar with him? Let me change that right now.
Rescued animals
Imagine a place where lions roam freely, cheetahs lounge in the sun, and meerkats scurry across acres of untouched African wilderness. Welcome to Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, the private sanctuary of Swiss wildlife activist Dean Schneider, who believes that humans only protect what they truly love.
“I want to bring animals into people’s hearts,” Schneider says.
“Because when we love, we protect.”
Hakuna Mipaka, which means “no limits” in Swahili, is more than a sanctuary. It’s Dean’s vision of a world where humans and animals coexist.
Born in Zurich in 1992, Dean was inspired by Steve Irwin from an early age. By 21, he had launched and sold a financial company — but his heart led him to a bigger mission: wildlife conservation.
In 2017, he moved to South Africa and created Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, a sprawling 400-hectare sanctuary where rescued animals can live their best lives.
The Oasis isn’t open to tourists. Instead, it’s a haven for lions, leopards, hyenas, snakes, capuchin monkeys, meerkats, and more. Within its grounds, Dean has set up the Live Wild Reserve, a dedicated space for rescued lions, alongside programs designed to rehabilitate and sometimes release animals back into the wild.
“I’m taking people with me into this world full of excitement, emotions, and crazy moments,” Dean explains. “Here, you learn to love, respect, understand, and protect the natural world and its beautiful beings.”
Inside his challenges
Dean’s social media presence has become a megaphone for his mission. As of October 2025, he boasts over 11 million Instagram followers and more than 10 million fans on TikTok and YouTube, sharing his day-to-day life with the animals he rescues and cherishes.
Yet maintaining this African paradise comes with challenges. Schneider admits that social media alone doesn’t cover all the costs, and donations fluctuate —especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. He has avoided big corporate sponsorships, choosing to protect his values and mission over easy financial solutions.
One of his most viral YouTube clips captures an emotional reunion with his beloved lions. The video, watched over 13 million times, shows the lion pride greeting him like a hero coming home after two long weeks apart—an unforgettable display of raw love and loyalty. Check it out here:
Moments like this remind us how deep the bond between humans and animals can be. 🦁💛
Share this incredible reunion and let the world see the power of love and loyalty!
