Big Cat Research And Conservation Detail

Vast areas of Namibia over the last 150 years have been affected by cattle farming which has left its scar on the natural environment. Bush encroachment is destroying Namibian flora and fauna. Over-grazing has led to topsoil erosion, decreasing the survival of natural plants and grasses and, therefore, the game dependent on them. The vision of this project to restore the land back to its original state and once again witness the magnificent cheetah stalking and hunting its prey in its natural environment. Africa’s fragile ecosystem and wildlife are inseparably linked, co-existing successfully since time began.

 

Unfortunately due to man’s influence this delicate balance is rapidly changing and the need to reverse this damage and protect our environment has become paramount. Combining the management and implementation of fundamental conservation principals we aim to restore this balance and in time recreate this sustainable eco-system once more. Through your involvement and commitment we are creating valuable employment and training opportunities for the local community to aid us with our vision. In restoring the land we will also create the opportunity of introducing an amazing new variety of Namibian game into the area.

Located in the heart of the Okonjima Game Reserve, this exciting eco-tourism project works alongside the AfriCat Foundation, the world’s largest animal welfare programme committed to the long term conservation and release of Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. Your tasks may be challenging at times but you will find it highly rewarding and satisfying to know that you have been part of the team helping to restore the local ecology back to its original natural state.

 

In addition to your working morning, each afternoon (apart from your day off) you will be taken out on an exciting Game Drive to witness some of our amazing animals up close and personal!

 

Everyone at the reserve has a contagious passion for nature conservation and nature, especially for the cheetahs. You will be working side by side with the staff and will find their knowledge and expertise invaluable and very interesting during your stay.

The property turned from cattle farming to tourism in 1993 and shortly after launched an exciting animal welfare foundation. Since being registered as a non-profit organisation, the project has grown significantly. What started out primarily as a welfare organisation has, over the years, identified the need to include a focus on education and research, believing this to be an integral part of accomplishing their mission – “the long term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores”.

 

The reserve is home to a 20,000 hectare (50,000 acre) Cheetah Rehabilitation Reserve giving previously non-releasable cats a second chance to be wild and free. The reserve’s total expanse encompasses a 22,000 hectare (55,000 acre) operational private nature sanctuary. Game to be seen, besides the cheetahs and leopards include: giraffe, oryx, kudu, zebra, impala, eland, wildebeest, red hartebeest, duiker, steenbok, dik-dik, and warthog. Also nocturnal animals such as porcupine, honey badger, brown hyena, spotted genet, aardvark and over 200 bird species may be seen.

With the aid of a telemetry system and antennae your guide will use all his valuable skills to track and search for this magnificent and elusive creature. Volunteers will also be shown how to use the telemetry equipment and given the opportunity to track the leopards for themselves. Leopard tracking is always vehicle based.

Volunteers will be taken into one of the cheetah rehabilitation enclosures where they will witness these cheetahs at very close proximity surrounding the game vehicle. The guide will feed the cheetahs with small pieces of meat and explain the important and essential work of the cheetah welfare side of 

AfriCat’s work.

To experience witnessing a cheetah or hyena at close proximity and at ground level is truly amazing and very special. This is exactly what you’ll be doing on this activity. Again a telemetry system will be used by the guide to locate the general area of the animals.

This programme was initiated to give some of the captive cheetahs an opportunity to return to their natural environment. Although hunting is instinctive for carnivores, many of the cheetahs lack experience in this due to being orphaned or removed from the wild at a very young age. 

The 20,000 hectare Cheetah Rehabilitation Area provides these cheetahs with the opportunity to hone their hunting skills and, ultimately, become self-sustaining.

Please note this project has specific start dates as follows: 

 

29 January | 12 February | 26 February | 12 March | 26 March | 9 April | 23 April | 7 May | 21 May | 4 June | 18 June | 2 July | 16 July | 30 July |13 August | 27 August | 10 September | 24 September | 8 October | 22 October | 5 November | 19 November

 

 

PRICES

2 weeks - GBP  720   l  USD 1296  l  E  936