---
type: "Article"
title: "Okonjima Bush Camp, home to Namibia’s big cats"
description: "Okonjima Bush Camp is home to Namibia's AfriCat foundation and is known for saving big cats like leopards and cheetahs."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/namibia/okonjima-bush-camp-safari-africat"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 18
tags: ["Experience", "Lodge", "Safari", "Namibia"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/namibia"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/africa"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/south-africa"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/safari"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/review"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/round-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wildlife-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:44:11+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2022-02-12T18:12:31+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: okonjima-bush-camp-safari-africat.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:44:11+00:00
---

# Okonjima Bush Camp, home to Namibia’s big cats

> Okonjima Bush Camp is a private nature reserve in northern Namibia, halfway between Windhoek and Etosha National Park, best known as the base for the AfriCat Foundation's leopard and cheetah conservation work and wildlife safaris.

## Destination
Okonjima Nature Reserve, northern Namibia, midway between Windhoek and Etosha National Park.

## Getting there
About 4 hours by road from Windhoek airport via the B1 highway; the road is well-paved until the B1 turn-off, followed by approximately 18 km of gravel road to the lodge.

## When to go
The article does not specify a best season, but mentions midday heat suggesting a warm climate; sundowner game drives are a camp highlight.

## Why visit
Okonjima offers close encounters with rescued leopards and cheetahs through the AfriCat Foundation, alongside diverse wildlife including giraffes, jackals, kudus, warthogs, zebras, and rhinos in an 80 square mile private reserve.

## What to see
- **Leopard safaris** — The main draw; leopards roam the private reserve and dedicated safaris are offered from the camp.
- **AfriCat Carnivore Care & Information Centre** — Visitor center run by the AfriCat Foundation showcasing big cat rescue and conservation work since 1992.
- **Charlie and Chaplin – resident cheetahs** — Two young cheetahs being raised in a large enclosure at the AfriCat Visitor Center.
- **Private waterhole** — Located adjacent to the bungalows, visited by warthogs, kudus, and guinea fowl.

## What to do
- **Game drives with ranger** — Guided drives through the reserve with rangers such as Opari, spotting giraffes, jackals, and other wildlife.
- **Sundowner** — Traditional bush sundowner outing, with gin and tonics served at sunset in the reserve.

## Good to know
Okonjima was formerly a cattle ranch owned by the Hansen family; the AfriCat Foundation was established in 1992 and has rescued more than 1,000 big cats. Accommodation ranges from campgrounds to bungalow-style lodges with thatched roofs and large windows. The travel agency Rhino Africa is recommended for booking the lodge and Namibia itineraries.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-9.jpg"
    caption: "Leopard Safari Okonjima Nature Reserve"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-12.jpg"
    caption: "Haupthaus des Okonjima Bush Camps"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-8.jpg"
    caption: "Zum Hof hin offene Lounge im Haupthaus"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-3.jpg"
    caption: "Bungalow des Okonjima Bush Camps mit riesigen Fenstern"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-4.jpg"
    caption: "Aussicht vom Bungalow auf das private Wasserloch"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-7.jpg"
    caption: "Bungalow mit offenem Sitting-Room im Hintergrund"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo.jpg"
    caption: "Offener Sitting Room des Bungalows"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-bush-camp-namibia-travelmemo-9.jpg"
    caption: "Warzenschweine an unserem privaten Wasserloch"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-16.jpg"
    caption: "Walter fotografiert junge Schakale"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-21.jpg"
    caption: "Guide Opari mit der Karte des Okonjima Naturreservats"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-24.jpg"
    caption: "Dösende Geparden Charlie & Chaplin"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-23.jpg"
    caption: "«Gääähhn, ist das ein fauler Sonntag...»"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-7.jpg"
    caption: "Auf Pirschfahrt mit Ranger Opari"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-2.jpg"
    caption: "Giraffen"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/okonjima-nature-reserve-namibia-travelmemo-17.jpg"
    caption: "Spielende Albino-Schakale"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
```