Okonjima/AfriCat
Travel Advice for Seniors: Namibia:
While Namibia may not be on everyone’s safari list, it was a very special diversion from our main safari trip to Botswana and one that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Namibia is on the west coast of Africa and is home to the Namib desert along the Atlantic coast, several towns that reflect their German heritage and extraordinary wildlife viewing, particularly cheetahs.
We were uncertain about our first stop in Namibia at the AfriCat Foundation as we thought it might be a little too much a show for contributions, it was anything but. A great deal of thanks should go to our cheetah-fanatic guide who knew every cheetah, their history and where they liked to hang out. The cheetahs were collared with monitors so that their location and rehabilitation could be monitored. Many of the cheetahs there were rescued from villages with cattle farms where they were not welcome. They have found a welcome respite at AfriCat and the adjacent Okonjima Nature Reserve.The Reserve has accessible restrooms, entrance and parking.
The most thrilling of the safaris at AfriCat was one on foot that brought us within 20 feet of two sibling cheetahs playing. It was definitely one of my best photo shoots of the entire safari. It was an experience that you didn’t ever want to end.
Also of interest was the collection of wild African painted dogs which are fairly rare to see and beautifully colored animals. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch them cavorting with their siblings on the dirt vehicle path.
There were also educational facilities and a vet clinic at AfriCat and it was interesting to hear treatment stories from the vet. He is a lot braver than I am.
We stayed at the Okonjima Bush Camp, which had very nice rooms and a separate small round room in the yard area for lounging and watching the resident warthog take a mud bath. All beds had mosquito netting and it was advisable to keep your belongings in your room and not in the lounging area as there were no windows there and your belongings were fair game for monkeys.
The food was very good and the tables were large so everyone could sit together and exchange stories of the day. All in all, a great stop that we were wondering about, but now can certainly say how great it was. Contributions optional of course.
Where we stayed: Okonjima Bush Camp. All meals and safaris included. Nice accommodation. Accessible entrance, parking lot and some rooms.
How we got there: Bush flight from Chobe to Okavango Delta.This was part of a three-week private tour through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
General Accessibility Information: See notes above. Many hotels are accessible in larger cities. Call in advance to verify and make specialty arrangements.See our sections on specialty apps and accessible travel for more on accessibility assistance.
