THE Day Centre is now closed
Closure of the Okonjima Day Centre and AfriCat Carnivore Care & Information Centre
After ten years of welcoming guests to the Okonjima Day Centre and offering the AfriCat Carnivore Care & Information Centre activity, we have made the heartfelt decision to close this chapter of our journey. The Okonjima Day Centre will officially close on 1 December 2025, and we will no longer accept bookings for the AfriCat Carnivore Care & Information Centre from 2026 onwards. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our guests, partners, and agents who have supported these experiences over the years. Your enthusiasm and commitment have been an integral part of their success.
!! Bookings are NOW REQUIRED!!
Day Centre visits will be limited to a certain number of guest per time slot, so please call or email the day before. PLEASE ONLY arrive once you have gotten confirmation. Whatsapp Message or Call using +264 81 127 6233 or info@okonjimalodge.com
After a two-hour drive north of Windhoek or an hour’s drive south of Otjiwarongo, you’ll find refreshments, lunch and valuable conservation information awaiting you at Okonjima. Your visit directly contributes to supporting AfriCat’s research, and conservation initiatives.
AfriCat’s Carnivore Care Centre is a result of the Rescue Programme initiated in the early 1990s. Over a span of 20 years, from 2000 to 2020, our focus shifted towards rehabilitating wild-born cheetahs, raised in captivity within the 200km² Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Unfortunately, as a result of increasing pressures from dominant, higher-tier carnivores like leopard (Panthera pardus) and brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea) within the restricted confines of thick, acacia vegetation and rocky, rugged terrain, the Okonjima Nature Reserve evolved into an environment less conducive (favourable) for cheetah to thrive and endure a lifespan surpassing 18 -24 months, following their release.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve no longer hosts free-roaming cheetahs, and we do not offer cheetah-tracking on foot since 2020.
Today, the last remaining captive carnivores under AfriCat’s care, due to age and habituation, cannot be reintroduced into the wild – and serve as ‘Species Ambassadors’ for their wild counterparts.
All captive animals at AfriCat are responsibly cared for, with their dietary and health needs meticulously maintained. Their spacious enclosures, which provide a minimum of 5 hectare per large predator, are designed to closely resemble their natural habitats.
If You Have the Time:
We do not endorse interactions between humans and wild animals.
Please note that none of the lodge facilities are accessible to Day Visitors, but our Day Centre does offer a restaurant and restroom facilities.
Lunch is available between 12:30 PM and 14:30 PM.
Day Visitors do not have the option to participate in any of the activities involving excursions into the park to track endangered wildlife.
Day Visitors are kindly requested to exit the Okonjima Nature Reserve by 15:00 PM.
It’s worth noting that the midday hours, particularly during the hot summer months, may not be the best times for ‘cat-viewing’. We recommend that photographers consider staying overnight, so they can take advantage of the early morning light or the afternoon “golden hour” for optimal photography opportunities.
If You Choose to Stay Overnight at Okonjima Nature Reserve:
Our 200km² private nature reserve promises unforgettable African safari experiences, including excellent opportunities to track leopards and brown hyenas. Okonjima offers four lodges, ranging from rustic to exclusive, as well as a campsite for a diverse range of accommodation options.
