Tour
Cheetah and desert-adapted wildlife research expedition: Namibia
Next trip 10 days from 19 June 2028
Prices from US$16,486
Booking information
19 June 2028 鈥� 10 days for US$16,486* per person (*Prices based on 2027 departure, 2028 prices to be confirmed shortly.)
Alternative dates are available for 2028 please contact Natural Habitat Adventures for more information.
Register your interest for 2029 and we will contact you when confirmed details including finalised dates and prices are available.
Journey into Namibia鈥檚 wild landscapes and go behind the scenes of cheetah conservation, working alongside scientists to help protect the world鈥檚 fastest land animal. Home to the largest population of free-roaming cheetahs on Earth, Namibia offers a rare opportunity to contribute to vital research at the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Monitor wildlife, check camera traps and discover how pioneering habitat restoration is helping secure the future of these remarkable predators.
During this expedition you will take an active role in cheetah conservation research, working alongside scientists at Namibia鈥檚 Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Through hands-on field surveys, you will help monitor waterholes, record wildlife sightings, check camera traps and analyse photographs to investigate cheetah movements, prey availability and habitat use. Depending on wildlife activity and research requirements, you may also contribute to studies examining how habitat restoration affects cheetahs and their prey.
Travel through Namibia鈥檚 spectacular landscapes, from sunbaked savannahs and granite mountains to remote wilderness reserves. Spend time at the Cheetah Conservation Fund鈥檚 research centre before venturing into private conservancies on safari, searching for desert-adapted rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and other remarkable wildlife while learning about the ecosystems that support them.
Meet Dr Laurie Marker, founder and Executive Director of the CCF, a world-renowned leader in cheetah conservation. Alongside CCF鈥檚 specialist researchers, she will share her extensive knowledge of cheetah ecology, genetics, habitat restoration and human-wildlife coexistence. Through expert-led talks, discussions and behind-the-scenes insights, discover how pioneering scientific research is shaping conservation strategies and helping secure the future of Namibia鈥檚 wild cheetahs.
This tour is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and science-curious travellers who want to go beyond a traditional safari. Combining extraordinary wildlife encounters with practical conservation activities and access to working scientists, it offers an immersive experience for those interested in biodiversity, ecology and the challenges of protecting endangered species.
In partnership with Natural Habitat Adventures and Earthwatch Expeditions.
Itinerary
This is an active scientific research expedition, requiring flexibility as activities depend on cheetah movements, research priorities, weather and field conditions. The research team and expedition leaders may adjust the itinerary to maximise opportunities for wildlife monitoring, scientific observations and data collection, while ensuring safety and minimising disturbance to wildlife.
Day 1: Arrive in Windhoek and meet the group
Welcome to Namibia! Arrive in Windhoek, the country’s capital, situated among the rolling hills of the central highlands, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming cheetahs, alongside desert-adapted elephants, black rhinos, giraffes and lions. With approximately 90 per cent of its cheetahs living outside protected areas, the country provides a fascinating setting for exploring the challenges of wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.
In the evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and introduction to the journey ahead, including the scientific research and conservation projects you will experience.
Days 2鈥�3: Explore Damaraland and track desert-adapted black rhinos
Leave Windhoek behind and journey approximately 450 kilometres northwest into the rugged wilderness of Damaraland, a drive of around 6鈥�7 hours. Along the way, discover a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological activity, where weathered granite formations rise above ancient river valleys and arid plains. A final 75-minute transfer by safari vehicle takes you deeper into this remote environment to Camp Doros, your tented home for the next two nights.
Damaraland supports one of the world’s last significant populations of free-roaming, desert-adapted black rhinos. Accompanied by experienced Rhino Rangers, explore the rugged terrain on guided walks and drives, searching for tracks and other signs of these critically endangered animals. Learn how conservation teams monitor rhino movements, protect populations from poaching and study their remarkable adaptations to life in an arid environment.
Along the way, look out for giraffes, oryx, kudu, springbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebras, and their predators such as leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. Between excursions, enjoy the tranquillity of your wilderness camp and the spectacular landscapes of Damaraland.
Travel note: Allow a full day for the journey, including comfort stops and the final transfer to camp. Driving times may vary depending on gravel road conditions.
Days 4鈥�5: Wildlife safaris in Etosha Heights Private Reserve
Leave Camp Doros and journey northeast towards Etosha Heights Private Reserve, travelling approximately 300 kilometres over 5鈥�6 hours, including the transfer out of camp. Watch as Damaraland’s rugged mountains and dry river valleys give way to the open savannahs and mopane woodlands bordering Etosha National Park. This 60,000-hectare protected landscape provides an important refuge for Namibia’s wildlife and an opportunity to explore the science behind its conservation.
Explore the reserve on morning and afternoon game drives, searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards and cheetahs. Etosha Heights is also home to both black and white rhinos, providing an opportunity to discover how their different feeding adaptations allow them to occupy distinct ecological niches. Learn about the reserve’s conservation initiatives, including anti-poaching efforts and the protection of threatened vultures.
Stay at Safari House, overlooking a waterhole where wildlife regularly gathers. A specially designed photographic hide offers opportunities to observe animals at close range, while the surrounding wilderness provides a peaceful setting to relax between safaris.
Travel note: Distances and timings are estimates based on the locations and access routes of Camp Doros and Etosha Heights. Allow additional time for stops and changing gravel road conditions.
Day 6: Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund and meet the researchers
Travel towards Otjiwarongo, a journey time of around 4 hours, and the internationally recognised Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), where you will spend the next four nights discovering the science behind protecting the world’s fastest land animal.
Meet the conservation team and learn about the centre’s pioneering work in cheetah ecology, genetics, veterinary science and human-wildlife coexistence. You will be introduced to the research methods used to monitor wild populations and investigate the challenges facing cheetahs across Namibia’s farmland and savannah.
A particular focus is the spread of dense thornbush into formerly open grasslands, which restricts hunting opportunities and reduces habitat for prey species. Discover how researchers are investigating habitat restoration and prepare to contribute to ongoing field studies over the coming days.
Days 7鈥�9: Take part in cheetah conservation research
Spend three fascinating days working alongside scientists and conservation specialists at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, gaining firsthand experience of the research helping to protect Namibia’s wild cheetahs.
Join researchers on field surveys across the reserve, recording wildlife sightings, monitoring waterholes and checking remote camera traps. Help review photographs and collect data to investigate how cheetahs and their prey respond to habitat restoration, particularly in areas where dense thornbush has been cleared to restore open savannah.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to observe resident cheetahs at close range, including watching them exercise as they chase a moving lure, demonstrating the remarkable speed, agility and adaptations that make them such successful hunters. Learn about their care and rehabilitation, and visit the veterinary facilities and genetics laboratory to discover how scientific research supports conservation.
Explore innovative approaches to protecting wild cheetahs, including specially trained detection dogs that locate scat for genetic analysis and livestock-guarding dogs that help farmers coexist with predators. Discover how cleared thornbush is transformed into fuel products, linking habitat restoration with local economic opportunities.
One evening, venture into the reserve on a guided night drive, searching for elusive nocturnal species such as aardvarks, aardwolves and bat-eared foxes. Throughout your stay, engage directly with researchers and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and scientific solutions involved in securing the future of these remarkable animals.
Day 10: Return to Windhoek and depart
Enjoy a final breakfast at the Cheetah Conservation Fund before saying farewell to the researchers and conservation specialists who have shared their work with you.
Travel south 3 and a half hours through Namibia’s central plateau towards Windhoek, reflecting on a journey that has taken you from tracking desert-adapted rhinos to contributing to scientific research into cheetah conservation.
On arrival, transfer to the airport for your onward flight, departing with a deeper understanding of Namibia’s extraordinary wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it.
Please note: Departing flights should be booked no earlier than 13:30.
FAQs
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour begins and ends in Windhoek, Namibia. Please speak to the team at Natural Habitat Adventures for travel advice.
How fit do I need to be to enjoy this tour?
A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Most wildlife viewing takes place in safari vehicles, although guided rhino tracking and conservation research involve walking over uneven, rocky or sandy terrain. You should be comfortable spending time outdoors, getting in and out of 4WD vehicles and participating in activities that may involve early starts and longer walks.
How much travel is involved?
This tour involves several longer road journeys between Windhoek, Damaraland, Etosha Heights and Otjiwarongo, some taking several hours. Roads can be gravel or uneven, making travel occasionally bumpy. However, multiple-night stays at each location minimise frequent packing and allow plenty of time for wildlife viewing and conservation activities.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
You will have opportunities to encounter desert-adapted black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, oryx, kudu and springbok, alongside predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. At the Cheetah Conservation Fund, observe resident cheetahs at close range, while a night drive may reveal aardvarks, aardwolves and bat-eared foxes. Birdlife is also abundant, including threatened vultures. Sightings of wild animals cannot be guaranteed.
What research will I take part in during the tour?
Working alongside scientists at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, you will contribute to ongoing field research by counting wildlife, monitoring waterholes, checking camera traps and recording animal activity. You will also compare restored habitats with areas affected by dense thornbush, helping collect valuable observations for the research team’s long-term scientific studies.
How does this research help cheetah conservation?
Your observations will help scientists understand how habitat restoration influences wildlife populations, prey availability and biodiversity. By studying how animals use restored and overgrown habitats, researchers can identify where conservation efforts and wildlife corridors may be most effective, helping protect Namibia’s wild cheetahs and the ecosystems they depend on.
What will the weather be like?
June marks Namibia’s dry winter season, with clear skies, very little rainfall and daytime temperatures typically ranging from 20掳C to 26掳C. Early mornings and evenings can be cold, occasionally dropping below 5掳C, particularly during safaris. The dry conditions are excellent for wildlife viewing, as animals increasingly gather around waterholes. Pack lightweight clothing for the day, warm layers for early starts and comfortable walking shoes.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
All of our tours are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you do not have to pay the solo room supplement.
Booking information
Booking administration
This tour is operated by our trusted partner Natural Habitat Adventures on behalf of New Scientist Discovery Tours. Their dedicated specialist team will be your main point of contact from booking until you return home, handling your reservation, payments, travel documents, pre-departure information and any questions about your tour or travel arrangements.
Highlights
- Work alongside leading scientists at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, contributing to vital wildlife research
- Track critically endangered desert-adapted black rhinos on foot with expert Rhino Rangers in remote Damaraland
- Witness the extraordinary speed and agility of cheetahs up close during their daily exercise sessions
- Join hands-on conservation research, monitoring wildlife, checking camera traps and collecting scientific data
- Search for elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs and rhinos on exclusive game drives in Etosha Heights
- Go behind the scenes of cheetah conservation, exploring genetics, veterinary science and habitat restoration.
- Venture into the wilderness after dark in search of elusive aardvarks, aardwolves and bat-eared foxes
- Discover how pioneering conservation projects are helping Namibia’s farmers and wild cheetahs coexist
Meet the expert
Dr. Laurie Marker
Laurie is the founder and Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), which she established in Namibia in 1990. A leading authority on cheetah biology, ecology and conservation, her pioneering research has helped transform our understanding of these remarkable predators and the challenges they face in the wild.
Her work combines cheetah population monitoring, genetics and habitat research with practical approaches to reducing conflict between predators and livestock farmers. Recognising that successful conservation depends on protecting both wildlife and rural livelihoods, she has developed innovative programmes involving livestock guardian dogs, sustainable farming, habitat restoration and community education.
On this research expedition, you will gain insights into Laurie’s groundbreaking conservation work and discover how scientific research is helping secure the future of wild cheetahs. Through visits to CCF’s research facilities and participation in field activities, you will explore how long-term monitoring, veterinary science and community-led conservation are helping protect one of Africa’s most threatened big cats.
Laurie will join the group from days 6-9.
What鈥檚 included
- Nine nights鈥� accommodation on twin share basis.
- Services of Nat Hab’s professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and camp staff
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on final day
- Some alcoholic beverages
- Some gratuities
- Airport transfers on Day 1 and final day
- All activities and entrance fees
- All taxes, permits and service fees.
- 24-hour support.
What鈥檚 not included
- Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip
- Required medical evacuation insurance
- Some alcoholic beverages
- Some gratuities
- Optional activities
- Visa/ETA (if applicable)
- Single supplement
- Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.)
- Airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any)
- Required medical evacuation insurance
- Optional travel protection insurance
Accomodations
Ti Melen Boutique Guesthouse, Windhoek
Set on a hillside in Windhoek’s peaceful Avis neighbourhood, Ti Melen Boutique Guesthouse offers a tranquil retreat with sweeping mountain views. This intimate six-room property features comfortable en suite accommodation with private terraces, air conditioning and tea and coffee facilities. Guests can unwind in the landscaped gardens, enjoy birdwatching from the observation deck or relax beside the outdoor swimming pool. Its quiet setting and convenient access to the city make it an ideal base for exploring Namibia’s capital.
Camp Doros, Damaraland
Set above a dry riverbed in the remote wilderness of Damaraland, Camp Doros offers an intimate safari experience in the heart of desert-adapted black rhino habitat. Its six spacious, solar-powered tents feature private decks and open-air en suite bathrooms, while a plunge pool, lounge and campfire deck provide places to relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings. Committed to sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation, the camp supports local Rhino Rangers through Save the Rhino Trust, offering guests a rare opportunity to track these critically endangered animals and learn about their protection firsthand.
Safari House, Etosha Heights Private Reserve
Set within a private wildlife reserve bordering Etosha National Park, Safari House is a beautifully restored Namibian farmhouse offering an exclusive safari experience. Comfortable en suite rooms, shaded verandas, a swimming pool and private dining create a relaxed retreat surrounded by wilderness. A specially designed underground photographic hide provides exceptional opportunities to observe wildlife gathering at the nearby waterhole, including elephants, antelope and occasionally predators. Entirely solar-powered, the property also supports vital rhino conservation efforts, with dedicated anti-poaching teams protecting the reserve’s endangered black and white rhinos.
Cheetah View Lodge, Otjiwarongo
Located within the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s reserve, Cheetah View Lodge offers a unique stay overlooking the spectacular Waterberg Plateau. Surrounded by acacia trees, its comfortable suites feature private porches, en suite bathrooms and separate lounge areas. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared meals featuring locally grown produce at the Meal House, where an open-air veranda overlooks a wildlife waterhole. More than just accommodation, a stay here directly supports pioneering cheetah conservation research and provides exceptional access to the scientists and conservation programmes working to protect Namibia’s wild cheetahs.
