Cheetah Conservation Fund

General Information

SPECIAL Activities at CCF

Location

Lodging

Information about Namibia  

Download our brochure (PDF)

Special Itineraries

The Waterberg Plateau

50 kilometres from Otjiwarongo, hidden in the heart of Namibia, the Waterberg Plateau rises 300 metres from the plains, providing a natural haven for wildlife. Several land owners have formed a group to protect this unspoiled and magical region. Each ranch offers a variety of activities for the visitor, from safari game drives and wilderness trails, to cheetah viewing and visits to local Herero villages. Or you can simply relax and enjoy a cocktail, watching a classic African sunset. This timeless region is an ideal 'stepping stone' between Windhoek and Etosha National Park, the wilderness of Kaokofeld, tiger fishing on the Okavango River, or the spectacular dunes of the coast. But beware, the Waterberg has a mystical quality -- You may never want to leave!

Visiting CCF Namibia

CCF's focus is on research, conservation and education. An extensive modern Visitor and Education Centre encourages visitors to learn about cheetahs, their habitat and issues of conservation, with an opportunity to see resident non-releasable cheetahs, acting as 'cheetah ambassadors' for the species. A stop over at CCF makes a very worthwhile, enjoyable and informative visit for the tourist.

The large modern Education Centre houses a museum that provides visitors and students the opportunity to learn more about the behaviour and biology of the cheetah, and the Namibian ecosystem that supports Africa's most endangered cat species. The excellent graphics and interactive displays in the centre bring the visitor through the history of the cheetah from pre-history to modern times, and explain how their range and numbers have diminished. Other exhibits show where the cheetah fits into the cat species family tree, how the cheetah differs from the 36 other cat species, how the cheetah is adapted for a high speed sprint and its specialised hunting techniques, and finally, the cheetah's life-cycle from cub to adult. A life-size 'playtree' shows the importance of these trees in a cheetah's territory.

Continuing through the Education Centre, the visitor can learn about other aspects of conservation and the work of CCF: for example, how the cheetah lives within an ecosystem together with prey, and how farmers can live with cheetahs on their land by using non-lethal predator control methods, a prime example being the use of Kangal Anatolian Livestock Guarding Dogs from Turkey. CCF has been promoting the use of these dogs since 1994, breeding and donating them to Namibian farmers to guard their flocks. Finally, a Future Room highlights the need for continued research so that humans and nature can live together.

The Research Centre houses a veterinary clinic, laboratory and main offices. The Visitor's Centre has a large meeting room, gift shop, verandah and the predator preyground' outside is a learning area for school groups and children of all ages. Enjoy the view of the Waterberg Plateau from the verandah, and relax in the landscaped courtyard with native gardens and an attractive sculpture of a cheetah.

General Information

• CCF is open daily, all year round, from 9am-5pm, except on Christmas day.
• Reservations are not required for standard day tours.
• Staff are available to show visitors around the Centre and answer questions.
• Visitors can observe cheetahs being fed (M-F around 2 p.m., Sat-Sun at noon) — call 067-306 225 to confirm feeding times).
• Hot/cold drinks and beautiful cheetah gifts are available at CCF's Gift Shop.
• Enjoy a selection of toasted sandwiches at lunch time (or bring your own picnic lunch), or simply relax in our veranda overlooking the magnificent Waterberg Plateau.
• As a not-for-profit Trust, CCF funds its research and education activities entirely from donations, therefore, a minimum donation of N$115.00 per person is expected for your standard visit. (N=Namibian dollars) This donation will be waived, or discounted from other special activities, to any donors who have given over $500 to CCF within a year (one per donor - please contact us before your visit).

Location

CCF is situated 44Km from Otjiwarongo on the D2440 (drive north on the B1 towards Tsumeb or Otavi; as you leave Otjiwarongo there is a brown sign to CCF; take this road right and follow it to CCF; it takes about 45 minutes driving from Otjiwarongo). We are about 3.5 hours drive from Windhoek; we are also 3.5 hours from the Namutoni gate and 2.5 hours from Okakuejo gate in Etosha.

Latitude: 20 28' 46.8" S
Longitude: 17 03' 03.0" E

Lodging

Limited overnight accommodations on site are now available for up to six guests at the luxurious and spacious Babson House. For details, please click here.

In addition, please consider staying at one of the excellent farms and lodges nearby. To view or download a brochure about accommodations near CCF Namibia click here .

All activities and lodging can be booked through CCF Namibia's EcoTourism agent:

nuevas ideas CC
Box 80859 - Windhoek - Namibia
Tel.: +264-61-253542
Fax.: +264-61-259247
nuevas-ideas-service@mweb.com.na

Here are direct links to some of the lodges, hotels and guest farms, as well as camping information:

Aloegrove Safari Lodge: http://www.aloegrove.com/
African Wilderness Trails & REST: http://namibweb.com/awt.htm
Bush Pillow: http://www.bushpillow.hypermart.net/
C'est Si Bon Hotel: http://www.cestsibonhotel.com/
Frans Indongo Lodge: http://www.indongolodge.com/
Otjibamba Country Lodge: http://www.otjibamba.com/
Padberg Bed & Breakfast: http://www.padbergbedandbreakfast.com/
Waterberg Game Farms: http://www.hannamibia.com/html/Members_Page.php?id=339

There is no camping at CCF. Some recommended locations are :

• Frans Indongo Campsite - indongo(at)mweb.com.na
• Kudubos Campsite - fanieb(at)mweb.com.na
• Hohenfeld Campsite - micki(at)iway.na

They are located approximately 70-80 km from CCF.

Information on Namibia

Visit the official Namibia Tourism Board site for all kinds of general information on Namibia: http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/

Republic of Namibia  - Official government site provides information on the structure of the Namibian Government, its functions, activities and policies. www.grnnet.gov.na

Maps? Here is a great web site: http://www.map-of-namibia.com/

Also visit www.natron.net/etour.htm, the Namibia Travel Online site, the most up-to-date of all tourism websites in Namibia

For a comprehensive look at Namibia you might like to visit: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/wa.html

A great and very informative web site by Kamati-Chinkoti Mwalimushi C., a Political Science Ph.D. candidate at UNAM (University of Namibia): http://www.my-beautiful-namibia.com/index.html

Rainer Jenss, special correspondent at National Geographic Traveler, traveled around the world with his wife and two sons, and blogged about his experience here on Intelligent Travel. Read about their experience at CCF here.

CCF'S  travel partner, Baobab Expeditions offers the journey of a lifetime!  This is your chance for a close encounter with arguably Africa's most charismatic and certainly the most endangered cat.  Learn all about how Dr Laurie Marker and her team are working to protect this magnifcent species from extinction; enjoy a game drive in the beautiful surroundings of CCF HQ in Namibia, and get up close and personal with these magnificent cats !

» Sign up for your trip of a lifetime

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CCF SUPPORTERS:

Receive a 25% discount on the purchase of "Access Africa: Safaris for People with Limited Mobility" by Gordon Rattray. This guidebook is the first to explore the five major safari countries – Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, plus Victoria Falls in Zambia – specifically with limited mobility in mind. Click here or on the image to the left to order, and enter coupon code AA25 on the Checkout page. Retail price: £ 16.99.