Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

Founded in 1990, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)'s mission is to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems, working with all stakeholders to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs. As Namibia has the largest and healthiest population of cheetahs left in the world, CCF's International Research and Education Centre is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo.

CCF's stance is that understanding the cheetah's biology and ecology is essential to stabilise the population and manage its sustainability for the future. Its strategy to save the wild cheetah is a three-pronged process of research, conservation and education, beginning with long-term studies to understand and monitor the factors affecting the cheetah's survival. Results of these studies are used to develop conservation policies and programmes to sustain its populations. CCF actively works with local, national and international communities to raise awareness, communicate, educate and train. Some of CCF's approaches include:

1. Conducting intensive scientific research and publishing papers on research findings--in cheetah genetics, biology, ecology, health and reproduction, human impact, and species survival, including assistance with the management of captive and free-ranging cheetah throughout the world. CCF also develops and implements non-lethal predator control and other better livestock management practices. These include CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Programme, and the relocation of problem cheetahs, which attempt to eliminate the need for ranchers to kill cheetah.

2. Creating and managing long-term conservation strategies for the cheetah throughout their range. CCF researchers develop, test, and promote alternative land-management practices such as conservancy development, and eco-tourism.

3. Carrying out local and international conservation education programmes to illustrate ways in which the species can be protected, by addressing community upliftment and predator-conflict resolution. CCF also creates and disseminates education materials worldwide.

4. Building capacity in countries that still harbour cheetah populations. The international programme currently includes distributing CCF materials, lending resources and support, and providing training throughout Africa and the rest of the world.

CCF is a proactive organisation that finds practical solutions to help people to help the cheetah and this is reflected in the CCF Vision: "We see a world in which cheetahs live and flourish in co-existence with people and the environment

Visiting CCF Namibia

CCF's focus is on research, conservation and education. An extensive modern Visitor and Education Centre encourages visitors to learn about cheetahs, their habitat and issues of conservation, with an opportunity to see resident non-releasable cheetahs, acting as 'cheetah ambassadors' for the species. A stop over at CCF makes a very worthwhile, enjoyable and informative visit for the tourist.

The large modern Education Centre houses a museum that provides visitors and students the opportunity to learn more about the behaviour and biology of the cheetah, and the Namibian ecosystem that supports Africa's most endangered cat species. The excellent graphics and interactive displays in the centre bring the visitor through the history of the cheetah from pre-history to modern times, and explain how their range and numbers have diminished. Other exhibits show where the cheetah fits into the cat species family tree, how the cheetah differs from the 36 other cat species, how the cheetah is adapted for a high speed sprint and its specialised hunting techniques, and finally, the cheetah's life-cycle from cub to adult. A life-size 'playtree' shows the importance of these trees in a cheetah's territory.

Continuing through the Education Centre, the visitor can learn about other aspects of conservation and the work of CCF: for example, how the cheetah lives within an ecosystem together with prey, and how farmers can live with cheetahs on their land by using non-lethal predator control methods, a prime example being the use of Kangal Anatolian Livestock Guarding Dogs from Turkey. CCF has been promoting the use of these dogs since 1994, breeding and donating them to Namibian farmers to guard their flocks. Finally, a Future Room highlights the need for continued research so that humans and nature can live together.

The Research Centre houses a veterinary clinic, laboratory and main offices. The Visitor's Centre has a large meeting room, gift shop, verandah and the predator preyground' outside is a learning area for school groups and children of all ages. Enjoy the view of the Waterberg Plateau from the verandah, and relax in the landscaped courtyard with native gardens and an attractive sculpture of a cheetah.

General Information

• CCF is open daily, all year round, from 9am-5pm.
• Reservations are not required for standard day tours.
• Staff are available to show visitors around the Centre and answer questions.
• Visitors can observe cheetahs being fed (M-F around 2 p.m. and Sat. at noon -- call 067-306 225 to confirm feeding times).
• Cool drinks and beautiful cheetah gifts are available at CCF's Gift Shop. 
• Bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy it, or simply relax, in our veranda overlooking the magnificent Waterberg Plateau.
• As a not-for-profit Trust, CCF funds its research and education activities entirely from donations, therefore, a minimum donation of N$80 per person is expected for your standard visit. (2008)