Cheetah View Lodge

Cheetah View Lodge provides accommodation within one of Namibia’s leading cheetah sanctuaries. It is a small, purpose-built lodge operated by the Cheetah Conservation Fund, situated on the organisation’s reserve near Otjiwarongo. The lodge offers guests direct access to the Fund’s conservation work. Activities include guided visits to the education and research centre, opportunities to spend time in the cheetah enclosures, and witnessing the early-morning cheetah run. This creates an insight into seeing these cats up close and understanding the challenges of coexisting with them. Drives are also offered into the "mini-Serengeti" section of the reserve, where plains game such as giraffe, oryx, and eland are often seen. The atmosphere at the lodge is informal. Evenings are typically quiet, often spent on the deck beside the small waterhole, where jackal sounds can sometimes be heard. The lodge, opened in 2017, forms part of the CCF’s Cheetah Eco Lodge portfolio and offers a different experience from a traditional safari lodge, focusing on wildlife encounters combined with detailed insight into carnivore conservation. The property is open all year.

The lodge features five stone-built suites, comprising four standard suites and one family suite. The suites are spacious and designed in a pared-back style, making use of neutral and earthy tones that reflect the reddish sand of the Waterberg region. Each suite includes a lounge area with a small sofa, an armchair, a table, and tea and coffee facilities. Large sliding doors lead from the lounge to a private veranda, equipped with two wooden chairs and a table. This outdoor space provides views over the surrounding bush country and towards the Waterberg Massif. Between the lounge and the bedroom is the bathroom, which features brushed concrete floors, a basin, a toilet, and a large semi-open shower. The bedroom, located down shallow steps from the lounge, includes twin beds fitted with mosquito nets, wooden bedside tables, and a wardrobe, along with two stretchers for luggage. The family suite is located below the dining area in the main building, offering a larger space with two queen-size beds and a sofa bed. This suite benefits from views directly over the lodge’s small waterhole.

Meals at Cheetah View Lodge are typically shared at a communal table within the main area, or on the veranda which overlooks the camp’s waterhole. The lodge operates on a half board basis, with drinks not included. Much of the produce served is locally sourced, with vegetables and meat coming from the CCF’s model farm, and cheeses, ice cream, and other dairy products supplied by their Dancing Goat Creamery. Breakfast is a buffet, offering fruit, cereals, yoghurt, and cold meats and cheeses, with cooked options available to order. Light lunch options can be purchased from the café, situated across the road at the main CCF centre. Dinner begins with a starter such as broccoli soup with freshly baked rolls, followed by a main course like beef fillet steak with potato wedges, honey-glazed carrots, and pepper sauce. Dessert might be a chocolate brownie.

Cheetah View Lodge is located in Otjiwarongo, within the Otjozondjupa region of Namibia. It is situated on the reserve of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, adjacent to the CCF’s Research and Conservation Centre, with views towards the Waterberg Massif. This position places guests directly within a cheetah sanctuary, offering immediate proximity to the CCF’s rescue and rehabilitation operations and the cheetahs themselves. The lodge is positioned in the Central Highlands of Namibia and serves as a convenient stopover when travelling between Windhoek and Etosha. The surrounding landscape, particularly in the “mini-Serengeti” area, features open habitat resulting from bush clearing projects. While cheetahs are a primary focus, the reserve also provides opportunities to observe other wildlife, such as steenbok, dikdik, and jackal near the waterhole, and plains game like giraffe, oryx, and eland on nature drives. The lodge is accessible by self-drive.

Cheetah View Lodge is suitable for travellers with a genuine interest in conservation and the work of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. It appeals to those seeking a stay that combines wildlife encounters with an in-depth understanding of one of Africa’s leading carnivore conservation projects. The informal atmosphere and direct engagement with conservation efforts make it ideal for guests who prioritise insight and comfort over polished service. It works well as a stop for those breaking a journey between Windhoek and Etosha, particularly for individuals keen to see rescued cheetahs at close quarters. Children of all ages are welcome, and while those under 16 cannot attend the cheetah run, the large education centre and other activities, including close-up views of cheetahs, are available. The lodge is also suited for those interested in the foundation’s research, offering activities like CCF tours, cheetah drives, and observation of daily cheetah feeding sessions, alongside broader nature drives within the reserve.