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Okonjima is above all the headquarters of the AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to conserve and protect Namibia's big cats, especially leopards and cheetahs. A stay in Okonjima (literally the place of the baboons in the Herero language) offers the opportunity to learn about the work of the AfriCat Foundation. The complex is within a private reserve, located west of the Waterberg plateau, in the heart of the Omboroko mountains. Okonjima Plain Camp was originally a farm, then restored and transformed into a lodge in 1992. The common areas include a large common area lit by large windows, a boma with fire to liven up the evenings, a dining area, the reception, a bar and a large swimming pool. All rooms have private bathrooms and every comfort. The lodge offers the possibility of going on various types of excursions, photo safaris, walks, bird watching as well as learning about the activities of the AfriCat Foundation. Although the leopard population in the area is very large and although the animals are monitored via radio using transmitters in their collars, sightings are not guaranteed, although they are very frequent.
Barn Entrance
Pool area
View Room
Barn terrace by night
Barn terrace by day
Restaurant area
View across the Okonjima Plains
Curio Shop
Standard Room
CLASSIC ROOMS
The Plains Camp lies within the secluded wilderness area of the Reserve and has majestic sunset views. Game drives in search of elusive leopards and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife with special emphasis on its most endangered species.
Its design honours the founding family, the Hanssen’s family cattle-farming history with its accommodation facility of 10 large View Rooms and 14 spacious Classic Rooms. The Plains Camp Barn includes a warm dining and lounge area with views over a spectacular waterhole and the Okonjima plains.
The rooms each have 2 double beds, a small veranda, a mini-fridge for own use, a coffee/tea station, roof-fan, en-suite bathroom, a safe for valuables and a telephone to contact reception.
VIEW ROOMS
The Plains Camp lies within the secluded wilderness area of the Reserve and has majestic sunset views. Game drives in search of elusive leopards and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife with special emphasis on its most endangered species.
Its design honours the founding family, the Hanssen’s family cattle-farming history with its accommodation facility of 10 large View Rooms and 14 spacious Classic Rooms. The Plains Camp Barn includes a warm dining and lounge area with views over a spectacular waterhole and the Okonjima plains.
The rooms each have 2 double beds, a desk and comfortable reading chair, a large veranda, a mini-fridge for own use, a coffee/tea station, 2 roof-fans, twin basins and a large, twin shower, a safe for valuables and a telephone to contact reception.
The new, exclusive View Rooms are more spacious than the Classic Rooms and are set further apart, providing more privacy.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Internet Access, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking
Room Facilities
Disabled Rooms, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service, Travel Desk
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Safaris, Walks
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Mountain Biking, Safaris
The Okonjima Nature Reserve sprawls over 200 square kilometres of undulating plains, mountainous outcrops, and riverine thickets, and it is here that leopard (Panthera pardus), the most adaptable of all the wild cats, thrive. Read more about our Leopard Research.
These intelligent, solitary predators occur in high density in the expanse of Okonjima Nature Reserve’s multi-faceted topography. The Reserve’s predator research programme has spanned three decades, and its findings have provided great insight to leopard behavioral patterns as well as offered an upbeat prognosis for a sustainable future for the species in today’s Africa.
A two-day Okonjima stay offers the best chance to view wild leopard in Namibia, as well as those collared for research purposes, in their natural habitats.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve, a huge protected area set amongst the rugged commercial farmlands of central Namibia, comprises a diversified ecosystem representative of both the larger and small mammals of Namibia, as well as most of the country’s endemic birds.
Game drives and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife and, especially, its most protected species.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to, and runs extensive research projects on rare and endangered species, big and small.
LEOPARD TRACKING
The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with our experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for our long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyaena programme. Some of our adult leopards are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat and experience the fascinating behaviour and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
THE AfriCat FOUNDATION CARNIVORE CARE & INFORMATION CENTRE (ACCC)
During the visit to AfriCat, visitors will have the opportunity to spend some time at the Carnivore Care & Information Centre, which provides valuable insights into the Foundation's work.
The visit will include a short guided drive to the AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre, where visitors can meet some of the ambassador cheetahs. Our knowledgeable guides will answer questions, explain the Foundation's work with carnivores in Namibia, and help position the vehicle for that perfect photo opportunity.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
ENDANGERED SPECIES NATURE DRIVE
This game-drive allows more time to enjoy and understand the Okonjima Nature Reserve as a natural island bound ecosystem. As the private Nature Reserve was established primarily to conserve some of our more threatened mammal species, it provides an increased chance to encounter these relatively rare animals. This is once again assisted by the AfriCat Foundation’s research projects on the shy brown hyaena, bat-eared fox and rhino. There are more than 40 mammal species within the Okonjima Nature Reserve, both large and small as well as a good representation of the typical flora. At the discretion of your guide, there may be the chance to view some of these animals, large or small.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
GAME DRIVE:
Experienced guides will entertain you with their knowledge, sharing interesting and enlightening information about the history of the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the research gathered over the past 30 years of conservation on Okonjima. On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track any of the carnivores researched by the AfriCat Foundation. Wildlife is the focus of the drive. Visitors are offered insight as our guides attempt to foster a general appreciation of the natural habitat of the Nature Reserve.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
The Okonjima Plain Camp Barn & Restaurant
The Plains Camp Barn encompasses the reception area, curio shop, a restaurant and dining area. The veranda looks out onto the waterhole.
