CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
AFRICAT FOUNDATION
TAILOR MADE | Okonjima | Namibia
Price from: $135 | R1,760 per person per night
Welcome to OKONJIMA
West of the Waterberg Plateau Park (North of Windhoek), vast plains are occasionally broken by remnants of ancient
Sandstone outcrops, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia. Nestled among the “Omboroko Mountains”
lies OKONJIMA – a Herero name meaning “Place of the baboons”.
This is much more than just a lodge. OKONJIMA is also home to THE AFRICAT FOUNDATION.
AFRICAT became internationally renowned after featuring in an award-winning documentary filmed for the Discovery
Channel in 1995 &1996.
Namibia is home to the world’s largest wild/free-ranging cheetah population; the majority of this country’s cheetahs
and leopards can be found on approximately 7000 commercial farms. These large carnivores occasionally prey upon
the livestock that roam unprotected in the bush. As a result, carnivores are often regarded as vermin by the livestock
and game-farming community and are deliberately trapped and/or killed.
AFRICAT has had to take on a large number of captive cats / carnivores no longer wanted by other establishments.
Among the carnivores being rescued, researched and rehabilitated by AFRICAT are cheetah, leopard, lion, caracal, wild
dog and hyena.
A perfect getaway or as part of a larger safari package!
Plains Camp | Okonjima
The NEW, Plains Camp design honours the Okonjima cattle-farming history. In the early 1920’s, Okonjima became
a cattle farm and was bought by Val (VJ) & Rose Hanssen in 1970. They were well-established Brahman breeders
and continued to farm cattle until the need for solutions to increasing livestock losses became pertinent and postindependence interest in Namibia as a tourist destination, escalated. In 1993, the herds of Brahman and Jersey cattle
were sold, changing the face of Okonjima as well as that of Carnivore Conservation!
The Barn/ Entertainment area - AKA ‘The Lapa’, meaning ‘Gathering Place’ includes, the dining and lounge area, pool
and curio-shop; and hosts the 3-tier accommodation facility. Plains Camp is family & wheel-chair friendly!
The open, grass-plains were ‘recovered’ by removing and burning invasive Acacia-bush during 2012 and 2013, creating
the plains-view, ensuring a great sunset most evenings.
Each of the 14 Standard Rooms enjoy a view across the Okonjima grass plains!
Each room features; a small verandah, wheel-chair friendly ramp, 2 double beds, a mini-fridge for own use, a coffee/
tea station, 2 roof-fans, twin basins and a larger shower; a safe, a telephone to contact reception.
LOVE CAMPING?
Okonjima’s Campsite is also bookable, please enquire for your quote.
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AFRICAT FOUNDATION
The AFRICAT FOUNDATION is a registered, Namibian-based, non-profit organization (# T48/93), dedicated to the
protection and conservation of Namibian’s Large Carnivores in their natural habitat. AfriCat actively supports the
long term survival of Namibia’s large carnivores through Environmental Education, Research, Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mitigation and Community Support programmes.
AfriCat has rescued over 1,070 cheetah, lion, and leopard since 1993 – 85% have been released back into the wild.
TOURISM FUNDS AND SUPPORTS THE MAJORITY OF AFRICAT’S EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION WORK!
For day visitors, the Africat Day Centre is a great addition for those with less time on their hands.
Activities
THE AFRICAT FOUNDATION: AfriCat is a non-profit organisation set up to conserve and protect threatened cheetah,
leopard, and other wild carnivores of Namibia. Visitors will be able to observe some of this programme at work and
learn more about these amazing and beautiful animals.
LEOPARD VIEWING: Leopards are frequently seen, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent
predators that are ‘radio-tracked’ from our game-viewing vehicles. The leopards roam freely and catch their own prey
within the 20 000ha / 200km2 rehabilitation nature reserves. These cats however, are notoriously people-shy and
sightings are not guaranteed.
THE CHEETAH PROJECT: Offers visitors a valuable insight into the ‘welfare work’ of The AfriCat Foundation. [DAYVISITORS will now be able to observe some of this programme’s work and learn more about these endangered,
amazing & beautiful animals!]
LARGE CARNIVORE TRACKING ON FOOT: Okonjima guests are invited to participate on foot in the radio-tracking
of the rehabilitated Cheetahs, Wild Dogs or the Spotted Hyaenas on the Tracking Trail within the 20 000ha / 200km2
rehabilitation nature reserves.
PLEASE NOTE: Tracking of the rehabilitated carnivores in the 200km2 OKONJIMA RESERVE
is reserved for guests staying at one of Okonjima’s lodges.
BUSHMAN TRAIL: Experience a day in the life of a Bushman. It constitutes an easy walking trail and is highly informative.
Guests get to learn about the art of making traditional artefacts and how the San adapt and survive in an unforgiving
wilderness environment. Participation is welcomed!
GAME DRIVE: After dinner, guests are invited to join a guided, night-drive in the 20 000ha / 200km² private, nature
reserves.
NATURE TRAIL: Self-guided walking trails of up to 8 km, for those guests who want to spend some time alone in the
solitude of the Okonjima wilderness.
BIRD WATCHING: Identify some of the more than 250+ species in the area, including some of the Namibian endemics
– Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin and the (Damara) Rock Runner.
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NOCTURNAL ANIMALS: BUSH CAMP GUESTS ONLY! At the nocturnal hide visitors may view after-dinner ‘Nightlife’
such as porcupine, honey-badgers and caracal, amongst others. Plains Camp, The Villa and Bush Suite guests do not
visit the nocturnal hide. If Bush Suite guests wish to join the Bush Camp guests during their after-dinner activity - prior
notice must be given! The Villa & Bush Suite guests will have the possibility to view night life from their private ‘floodlit’ water holes.
SWIMMING: Guests are welcome to make use of the pool at any time of the day or night. All camps have their own
swimming pool.
PHOTOGRAPHY: With the abundance of animals and bird life and spectacular scenery, Okonjima is a photographer’s
paradise. Be sure to advise your clients to bring plenty of film (for the old cameras) and many memory cards for the
new!!
Photographers take note: Due to the specific nature of our rehabilitation project - all free roaming cats on OKONJIMA
are radio-collared. ALL cats that are part of AfriCat’s Welfare Project are NOT radio-collared.
(Activity fees apply, see below)
CONSERVATION AWARENESS THROUGH THE LENS
An increasing number of tourism lodges are holding cheetahs, leopards and other wild animals in captivity for
entertainment purposes only. OKONJIMA and Captured In Africa supports the conservation of wild animals IN THEIR
NATURAL HABITAT.
The practice of catching cheetahs in the wild for captivity is causing a drain on the wild population. Revenue earned
through showing these captive cheetahs at lodges rarely goes back into conservation practices. THE AFRICAT
FOUNDATION has also had to take on a large number of unwanted cheetahs, when lodge owners or farmers decide
that they are not worth keeping.
It is OKONJIMA’S long-term aim, to encourage viewing of large carnivores in the wild, rather than in a captive
environment and ‘direct human-animal contact’ with these wild animals, is detrimental to this long-term approach.
Guests visiting OKONJIMA will be visiting THE AFRICAT FOUNDATION and learning about large carnivores in the wild
like cheetah, leopard and lion, but in a constructive manner.
Thank you for supporting Captured In Africa’s and Okonjima | Africat’s efforts in this conservation awareness.
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Example 2-Night Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Okonjima and after afternoon coffee, tea and cake - ‘radio-track’ Leopards from our game-viewing vehicles.
The leopards roam freely and catch their own prey within the 20 000 ha private, Okonjima Nature Reserve.
After dinner - join us at the nocturnal hide where you may view ‘nightlife’ such as porcupine, honey-badgers and
caracal amongst others OR join us for a guided night-drive into the Nature Reserve (additional cost).
The following morning - you are welcome to join the Bushman Trail – It constitutes an easy walking trail and is highly
informative. You get to learn about the art of making traditional artefacts and how the San adapt and survive in an
unforgiving wilderness environment. Participation is welcomed!
OR
Guests are invited to participate on foot in the radio-tracking of the rehabilitated Spotted Hyaenas on the Large
Carnivore Tracking Trail. These rehabilitated carnivores roam freely and catch their own prey within the 20 000 ha
private, Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Day 2
After brunch - you are welcome to go on one of our Self-guided Walking Trails, or do some birding - identify some of
the more than 250+ species in the area, including Namibian endemics - Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin and the
Damara Rock Runner.
Self-guided Walking Trails on the surrounding mountains or in the bush-veldt are free of charge. Walking trails of 4 - 6
km’s, for those of you who want to spend some time alone in the solitude of the Okonjima wilderness. Walk amongst
various game and enjoy glorious views… However, most of the trails do not start from the lodge, but require a short
drive with your private vehicle to the start of the trail.
OR
Visit R.E.S.T. Okonjima and AfriCat support the ‘Rare & Endangered Species Trust’
A short 15km drive will get you to REST. The project is 1km outside the Okonjima Reserve on your way out. (additional
cost).
After afternoon coffee, tea and cake - visit AfriCat’s ‘Information & Carnivore Care Centre’, which offers you valuable
insight into the work of The AfriCat Foundation. A guided drive to the Carnivore Care Centre allows you to meet some
of our species ambassadors. Our guide will answer questions, explain the work we do with carnivores in Namibia and
position the vehicle for that special photograph.
After dinner - join us at the nocturnal hide where you may view ‘Nightlife’ such as porcupine, honey-badgers and
caracal, amongst others OR join us for a guided night-drive into the Nature Reserve (ADDITIONAL COST)
The following morning (day of departure) - you are invited to participate on foot in the radio-tracking of the rehabilitated
cheetahs / wild dogs on the Large Carnivore Tracking Trail. These rehabilitated carnivores roam freely and catch their
own prey within the 20 000 ha private, Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Day 3
On your day of departure, you are welcome to book a forth ‘tracking trail’ and then join the day excursion from the
Day Centre to AfriCat’s Information & Carnivore Care Centre.
Note; all activity costs are extra and will be itemised as part of your chosen package.
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TAILORMADE
Packages can be tailor-made for any number of nights. Okonjima is situated between Windhoek and Etosha, making
for a perfect addition to any itinerary. Africat is also accessible with their new Day Centre experience.
Our team will arrange a specialised quote for you including accommodation and activities you wish to participate in.
ENQUIRE
Includes:
• Accommodation, Dinner, Breakfast (DBB basis)
• Levy, Vat
• Park and Environmental Education fee
Excludes:
• International airfare and transport to Namibia
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Activities AM/PM $50/R560
• Animal Welfare Activity $40/R415
• Other activities, transfers and transport
• Items of a personal nature, curio shop purchases and gratuities
Due to the nature of activities, child participation on activities is restricted.
Prices are in US Dollars and South African Rand, subject to change.
General Terms and Conditions apply
Learn more about Captured In Africa’s conservation ethos HERE
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