Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm | Otjiwarongo

Information

Landmark: Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm
City: Otjiwarongo
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Africa

The Crocodile Farm Otjiwarongo is a specialized wildlife facility and commercial breeding operation located in the town of Otjiwarongo, Namibia. It serves as both a tourist attraction and an industrial site for the production of crocodile leather and meat.

Visual Characteristics

The facility features several large, concrete-walled breeding and rearing ponds. Visitors observe the Nile Crocodiles from elevated walkways and viewing platforms. The grounds include a restaurant with a rustic, thatched-roof design and a gift shop displaying various leather products. The atmosphere is defined by the proximity of the large reptiles and the surrounding lush, garden-like vegetation.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Henk Willems Street, Otjiwarongo, Namibia.

Access: Situated within the town limits, easily accessible by any vehicle via paved roads. It is a frequent stop for travelers transiting between Windhoek and the Etosha National Park.

Operating Hours: * Monday–Wednesday: 08:00 – 18:00

Thursday–Saturday: 08:00 – 20:00

Sunday: 08:00 – 16:00

Status: Registered as a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) operation for the sustainable trade of crocodile products.

Historical & Economic Origin

Founded in 1985, it was the first commercial crocodile farm in Namibia.

Breeding: The farm specializes in Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), which are not indigenous to the arid Otjiwarongo region but thrive here in controlled aquatic environments.

Purpose: It was established to provide high-quality skins for the international luxury fashion industry and to supply crocodile meat to local and export markets.

Key Highlights & Activities

Feeding Sessions: Scheduled events where large crocodiles are fed, providing insight into their predatory behavior and physical power.

Crocodile Products: The onsite shop sells belts, wallets, and handbags manufactured from farm-raised skins.

Culinary Experience: The restaurant is known for serving various crocodile-based dishes, including steaks and kebabs.

Hatchery: Depending on the season, visitors may see juvenile crocodiles and learn about the incubation and hatching processes.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Dining: An onsite restaurant and bar area.

Retail: A boutique specializing in crocodile leather goods.

Guided Tours: Standard tours explain the biology of the Nile Crocodile and the logistics of commercial farming.

Connectivity: 4G/LTE mobile coverage is strong and stable throughout the property.

Best Time to Visit

Feeding times are the most active periods for viewing; these usually occur in the afternoons during the warmer months. Because crocodiles are ectothermic (cold-blooded), they are more active and visible during the summer (October to March).

Facts & Legends

A specific technical fact: the farm plays a role in conservation by reducing the demand for wild-caught crocodile skins, thereby protecting natural populations in other parts of Africa. Nile Crocodiles can live up to 70–100 years and reach lengths of over 5 meters, though farm-raised individuals are typically harvested at a much younger age to ensure skin quality.