Founded in the early 1990's, The AfriCat Foundation is a family-run, non-profit organisation based on the Okonjima Nature Reserve in central Namibia. They started out rescuing cheetahs, leopards and the occasional troublemaker hyena… and somewhere along the way realised that saving predators long-term requires more science and less “catch-and-fix.”
Today AfriCat is all about science-driven conservation, focusing on long-term research on leopard and brown hyena so we can understand what keeps these iconic species thriving.
Back in the 1970s, the Hanssen family farmed here and lost livestock to predators faster than they could say “where’s the herd?” Traps and old-school tactics didn’t help – every removed leopard was simply replaced by another.
So they flipped the script and decided that if you can’t beat Namibia’s predators… you might as well conserve them. AfriCat grew from this very real, very dusty trial-and-error.
As wildlife faces more pressure around the world (and Namibia is no exception), AfriCat shifted gears from hands-on rescue to proper, in-depth research. They now focus on three simple pillars:
Research
Collect the data. Track the animals. Understand the ecosystem. And yes – use actual science.
Protect
Apply what the research shows to keep predator populations healthy and reduce unnecessary conflict.
Restore
Fix what decades of farming and bush encroachment have knocked off balance. Savannahs don’t restore themselves, sadly.
Long-Term Wildlife Research
Leopards, brown hyenas and pangolins are monitored using GPS collars, a fancy LoRaWAN telemetry network (basically wildlife Wi-Fi), and a robust camera trap system that catches every whisker that walks past.
Reserve Management
Their research feeds directly into how Okonjima is managed – from vegetation and prey monitoring to improving habitat for predators and their lunch options.
Collaboration
AfriCat teams up with universities, researchers and conservation groups from Namibia and beyond. Many clever people. Many large data sheets.
Education
While the old school-based programme closed in 2020, AfriCat still hosts student groups, researchers and guests –and a new science-focused education model is coming soon.
Tourism keeps AfriCat’s research wheels turning, and staying at Okonjima means you get to enjoy:
Plus all the usual suspects: rhino, giraffe, oryx, kudu, zebra and more than 250 birds who refuse to pose properly for photos.
A stay at Okonjima is a fascinating blend of wildlife, science and warm Namibian hospitality. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you’ll spot a leopard – and you’ll leave knowing your visit directly supports real conservation, not the glossy brochure kind.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
