Cheetah Farm Otjitotongwe
One of our nicest stop during
the Namibia trip was the visit of the cheetah's farm Otjitotongwe. Because I wanted to see cheetahs at
all costs in Namibia and this might not leave to the chance, we decided us to spend one day on this farm. The cheetahs
farm Otjitotongwe has dedicated to the protection of the wild-living cheetahs and contributes thus to the
preservation of these wonderful big cats. Unfortunately, most other farms in Namibia are aimed on hunt or
livestock. For cheetahs cattle and sheep are a god change on the food plan, so that with the complete
settlement of the land a barely surmountable conflict has come into being between cheetah and human.
However, where with the animals? If one goes by the country, one will find out that with exception of the
nature reserves all surfaces are surrounded with fences. Apart from the fact, the cheetahs find the way by
the fence on the farm and tear there one or other sheep or calf. Indeed, on the Otjitotongwe farm they do not
live in absolute freedom, but in generous outdoor enclosures and protected before the rifle bullet of the
neighbour.
The farm finances itself from own means. According to the owner, all taking from the tourism is used for the
cheetah's protection. Animal sponsorships can be taken over.
The lodgings in form of small little round huts lie scattered approx. 2 km away from the main house in the
middle of bush. One night costs 1,600.00 Nam $ for the double room, half board included. A littlle camping
site is likewise connected.
The round trip to the cheetahs starts at 15 o'clock in the lodging. On the loading area of a cross-country
vehicle it goes to the main house of the family in whose garden 5 tame animals live. The cheetahs appear
immediately. Under supervision the quite kindly looking animals can be stroked. A young cheetah was
playful totally, it fought with our solar hat and bit into the camera case. Otherwise the tame cheetahs behave
themselves like house cats, they lick off to one the hand, purr and miaow in relatively high tones. Only when
they started to eating, the predator came through again and they were a little wilder.
Afterwards we went on the loading area in the outdoor enclosures to the wild cheetahs. In a big container full
with meat was contained the dinner, what should lure the animals. After few meters the first already came.
With lowered head and bad look he crept around the vehicle. The cheetah was so aggressive so that the farmer
tried to repulse him with an electroshock pole. I relly don't like to meet this specimen in the wild.
Successively all enclosures were removed and the feed distributed. This were nice opportunities to shot photos
of the animals and to watch they while eating.
When we leaved next day, the farmer came once more by the cross-country vehicle, the young playful cheetahs on
the front passenger seat - the last opportunity for stroking, I would like taken the animal with me.
Near the cheetahs, there is still to visit the Phyton trees as well as fossilized ferns on the farm. A small
loop leads from road around a hill where the trees stand scattered. You receive closer information on site.
Otherwise the Otjitotongwe farm is relative small (there are only 6 round huts) and a little bit apart
situated. There is no landing strip for airplanes. The afterwards bigger towns are Kamanjab and Otjio. But
just for this reason a special ambience on this farm exist. There is no bustle and rush of people, for it
rest and a lot of African Wildlife.
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