Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) | Otjiwarongo

Information

Landmark: Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)
City: Otjiwarongo
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Africa

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is a global research and education facility dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. It is located approximately 45 kilometers east of Otjiwarongo in north-central Namibia.

Visual Characteristics

The center is situated on a large private reserve characterized by open thornbush savanna and the distant rising cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau. The main complex features an educational center built with sustainable materials, a veterinary clinic, and specialized enclosures for orphaned or injured cheetahs. The landscape is marked by the presence of large termitaries and acacia trees.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: D2440 Road, Otjiwarongo district, Namibia.

Access: Reached via a gravel road (D2440) off the B1 highway. It is accessible by 2WD vehicles, though high clearance is preferable during the rainy season.

Operating Hours: Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Status: A world-renowned non-profit organization founded by Dr. Laurie Marker in 1990.

Historical & Ecological Origin

CCF was established to address the conflict between Namibian farmers and cheetahs. Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of wild cheetahs, most of which live on private commercial livestock farms. The organization focuses on habitat restoration, human-wildlife conflict resolution, and scientific research into cheetah genetics and biology.

Key Highlights & Activities

Cheetah Run: A high-speed exercise session where resident cheetahs chase a lure, allowing visitors to observe the animal’s specialized hunting mechanics.

Educational Centre & Museum: Detailed exhibits on the history of the cheetah, its genetic bottleneck, and the ecology of the Namibian savanna.

Livestock Guarding Dog Program: Visitors can see the Anatolian Shepherd and Kangal dogs bred at the center to protect livestock from predators, a key initiative in reducing cheetah-farmer conflict.

Model Farm: A working dairy and creamery (Dancing Goat Creamery) that demonstrates predator-friendly farming techniques.

Veterinary Clinic: A state-of-the-art facility where research on cheetah health and genetics is conducted.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Dining: The Cheetah View Point café serves light lunches and snacks.

Retail: A gift shop offering locally made crafts and CCF-branded apparel.

Accommodation: The Babson House (luxury guest house) and Cheetah View Lodge offer overnight stays within the reserve.

Connectivity: 4G mobile signal is generally stable at the main center.

Best Time to Visit

Activities like the Cheetah Run are typically held in the early morning when temperatures are cooler. The winter months (May to August) provide the most comfortable climate for outdoor exploration and wildlife viewing.

Facts & Legends

A specific technical fact: the cheetah is the most genetically uniform of all felids, having survived a near-extinction event approximately 10,000 years ago. CCF manages the International Cheetah Studbook to track the pedigree of cheetahs worldwide. A local success story is the widespread adoption of guarding dogs by Namibian farmers, which has led to an 80% decrease in livestock losses to predators.