Guardians of the Wild: Big Cat Conservation at Okonjima

• Okonjima was originally a cattle farm owned by the Hanssen family. They kept livestock there for years — but the farm suffered repeated losses to predators.
• In 1986 the farm began to change: the Hanssens opened a small guest‑farm as part of a new approach to the land.
• In 1991 the family founded the AfriCat Foundation; it was formally registered in 1993 as a non‑profit dedicated to predator conservation.
• The initial goal was to reduce human‑wildlife conflict: farmers were encouraged to kraal livestock at night and leave predators free. That’s where the name “AfriCat” (“A‑Free‑Cat”) comes from.

Over time the mission expanded: rescue, rehabilitation and release of large carnivores; environmental education; research and community outreach across Namibia.

• Okonjima sits about 48 km south of Otjiwarongo, in the Omboroko Mountains. It lies roughly halfway between Windhoek and Etosha on the main north‑south route, but accessed via a gravel road.
• The reserve covers about 22,000 hectares (≈ 200 km²).
• The habitat is a mix of woodland / savannah — thornveld, plains, rocky hills — a transition zone between dry bushveld and more open savannah.
• The area is malaria‑free; this makes it easier for travellers who don’t want to worry about that risk.

• The best time to visit Okonjima is during the dry season — roughly from May to October. Water becomes limited, animals tend to gather near reliable waterpoints, so sightings are more likely.
• Nights can get cold in winter (June–August). Visitors should bring warm clothes for early morning or night activities.
• Daytime in dry season is more comfortable for game drives and walks than in very hot or wet periods. Hills and plains are easier to cover.
• If you come outside dry season, you may catch some greenery after rains — but roads or tracks could be less accessible.

• Game drives in open‑top vehicles or guided bush walks. Many large carnivores — leopard, cheetah, hyena — roam free in the reserve. Some are fitted with tracking collars to help guides locate them.
• Foot‑tracking of cheetahs, wild dogs or hyenas on walking safaris. For those who want a more immersive, quiet encounter.
• Bird‑watching and general wildlife spotting. The mix of plains, thornveld and hills offers habitat for many species, from antelope to small game and birds.
• Learn about conservation through visiting the foundation’s efforts: you can see how rescued carnivores are cared for, learn about research and education work, and understand human–wildlife coexistence.
• Enjoy lodge or bush‑camp accommodation. For many travellers the mix of nature, comfort and conservation makes Okonjima a good stop between major national parks.

• Okonjima’s reserve hosts large carnivores: cheetah, leopard, brown hyaena and sometimes wild dog. These are central to the AfriCat conservation work.
• Other mammals: antelope species, giraffe, zebra, kudu, oryx and more roam the savannah and thornveld. Guests may see these on drives or walks.
• Smaller, more elusive species: the reserve has been used for research on rarer species — including pangolins.
• Birdlife: the mix of habitats — hills, savannah, woodland — supports various bird species. Bird‑watchers often enjoy early‑morning or late‑afternoon visits.
• Vegetation: the land features thornveld scrub, acacia woodlands, open savannah plains, rocky hillsides. This supports a diverse habitat for flora and fauna adapted to Namibian bush conditions.