On the trail of leopards and cheetahs in the Okonjima nature reserve, Namibia

On the trail of leopards and cheetahs in the Okonjima nature reserve, Namibia

We visit one of the world's best places to see cheetahs and leopards: the Okonjima nature reserve in Namibia

I'm honest: In theory, I like the idea of ​​spending the night in an eco-lodge; In practice, however, I am not enthusiastic about the view of drop toilets, weak water pressure, poor ventilation that makes everything a little wet, or open walls that grant insects access. This could explain why I was skeptical about a stay in the Okonjima nature reserve in Namibia.

As the administrator of the Africat nature conservation organization, Okonjima is exactly the kind of place that could offer imperfect institutions under the banner of "Doing Good".

On arrival, however, I realized how wrong I was. Okonjima is located on the sandstone omboroco mountains and offers luxurious accommodations in the remote wilderness of its own nature reserve. High ceilings, exposed masonry and unusual industrial decor create an airy, open atmosphere that is far from what I expected.

alt = “Our first impression of the nature reserve Okonjima”> Okonjima nature reserve Our first impression of the Okonjima

It is almost accidental that Okonjima is so committed to nature conservation. The truth is that on the other hand it started on the other side of the nature conservation struggle: that is, as arable land in the possession of Rose and VJ Hanssen, who settled there in 1970. The Hanssen family breeded Brahman cattle and, like other farmers, suffered losses from carnivore.

Namibia is home to the world's largest free -range cheetah population, but due to commercial agriculture and the urban interference in wild habitats, cheetahs and leopards often dare to go to the approximately 7,000 commercial farms in the country.

alt = "Leopards are forced from dwindling habitats on arable land"> Atlas & Boots shrinking habitats have forced leopards in arable land

The Hansens tried, like other farmers, to reduce their agricultural losses by pushing, shot and chasing leopards. This had little effect: the loss of 20 to 30 cows per year decimated their herds and led to overwhelming financial losses, a situation that met smaller companies even more. The Hanssens added their income by taking trophy hunters with their acreage.

In view of this circulation - decimation and death, land killing and horrific destruction of large carnivores - the children of the Hansens, Wayne, Tammy, Roselea and Donna undertook better.

The Hanssen family shifted their focus radically from agriculture in Okonjima to the creation of a 200 km2 private nature reserve. Their goal was to make the country again as it once looked, and leopards and cheetahs that were forced to protect arable land from protecting habitats.

alt = “Africat promotes a culture of living together in the nature reserve Okonjima”> Atlas & Boots Africat promotes a culture of cooperation

In 1991, the Hansens founded the Africat Foundation to promote a culture of living together to break the vicious circle "Leopard kills Kuh, Bauer kills Leopard".

As part of his tasks, Africat trains farmers and school children, follows carnivore and warns farmers to collect cattle when you get too close to them, and collect carnivores that would otherwise be killed by farmers.

alt = “The Okonjima nature reserve is one of the best places in the world to observe leopards”> Atlas & Boots The Okonjima nature reserve is one of the best places in the world to observe leopards

We only had one night in Okonjima at the very end of our self-drivers safari through Namibia and decided to visit Africat to learn more about his work and see his cats up close.

The first thing that struck me at Africat was a large hanging map that illustrated how many farms surround the reserve. No wonder that the animals get lost in arable land. The center is fully of similarly striking resources. In another section there is a collection of doses that demonstrate the sensitive balance of life on earth.

alt = “demonstrates the sensitive balance of life, Okonjima Nature Reserve”> Atlas & Boots Demonstration of the sensitive balance of life

Our guide, Martin, picked the upper can of the structure. "When people disappear, the rest of life goes on," he said. He pointed to a lower can. "However, if Oryx and Gnus disappear, Leopard and Pard could also disappear." It was a simplification, but also an effective way to demonstrate our place in the chain and the damage that we add to them among ourselves.

Soon we went in search of Electra, a free -range leopard that was tracked down by Africat. Electra wears a collar so that researchers can analyze the movement patterns of large cats and warn farmers if you get too close to a border. To enable farmers to fence their cattle from killing a cat.

We watched a wonderful representation of Electra's son who came over to play (and reacted fairly in a moody manner). It was clear that the Okonjima nature reserve is one of the best places in the world to see leopards and cheetahs. Of course, direct interaction is strictly prohibited and observers have to watch from a distance. Nevertheless, experience is magical.

Afterwards we ventured for Peanut and Raisin, two unfortunately not as wildly classified cheetahs. A farmer killed the mother of the cheetah and kept them until they were one year old. He called Africat when he felt that he could no longer raise her.

alt = “A orphaned pard in the Okonjima nature reserve”> Atlas & Boots Peanut, a Verzaister Pard in the Okonjima

over time - through the training of students and farmers - Africat hopes that the rescue of carnivors will no longer be part of his tasks; that people may break through the circulation themselves. Until then, his efforts will continue to preserve one of the largest and most beautiful large cat populations on earth.

When we watched a majestic sunset over the Acacia Thornveld that evening, we decided once: Namibia is one of the special places that each of us has ever seen.

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Atlas & Boots

tracking of leopards in the Okonjima nature reserve: The most important

WAS: Finding Leopards and cheetahs in the Okonjima nature reserve in Namibia as part of a 17-day self-driver safari by Wild Dog Safaris.

WO: The accommodation on the tour comprises 16 nights in a number of hotels, lodges and safari camps, including the Okonjima Plains Camp.

The tour can be booked either as accommodation (like us), camping or a combination of both. Breakfast and several dinner are included in the overnight option; Camping is largely self -catering.

When: The best time to travel for Namibia is May October during the dry season (winter). The secondary seasons in May and November are good for cheaper accommodations with higher availability. In November there may be heavy rains, albeit mainly in short, intensive outbursts.

like: We visited the Okonjima and Africat nature reserve as part of our self-drivers. Wild Dog Safaris Bays accommodation, provides a rental car and organizes a travel route for the trip. Upon arrival in Windhoek we were welcomed by Wild Dog Safaris, which provided us with a detailed travel route, travel instructions, maps and information.

We flew to Namibia with British Airways via Johannesburg in South Africa. Book flights at the best prices via Skyscanner.

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disclosure: We traveled to Namibia with the support of Wild Dog Safaris. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia is a comprehensive travel guide for Namibia and contains some useful tips for a visit to Swakopmund.

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