Spitzkoppe and Cheetah Farm

After Swakopmond we headed to Spitskoppe which is in an area of several large isolated mountains in the desert.

Each is distinctive depending on the angle you see it, both the above and this shot are of the same place.

We got out to see the fauna and flora with a local guide who was very knowledgeable. This is a weaver birds nest. It has two entrances, one which is used everyday. The other is lower down and is an emergency exit. If a snake or lizard climbs onto the the branch, it will sag under the extra weight and this is the cue fir the birds to abandon the nest through the emergency exit.

There were several small holes dug into the sand. The half arch openings were the most dangerous as these were the homes of scorpions. Scorpions with small pincers and thin tails are the most deadly but of course you don't know which one is hiding down the hole.

There are some ancient cave paintings around Spitzkoppe...such as this picture of a rhino...

...and lots of other pictures of elephants....

...people....

...and elsewhere were plant life such as this paper tree, called such as the bark peels off in sheets and can be used just like paper.

An then it was on to Cheetah Farm. This is further north in Namibia and the desert had changed to savannah.

Cheetah Farm is about cheetahs. The animals would prey on the sheep and cattle and would have to be shot. However this farm has large areas reserved for the animals and feeds them as a rescue centre. Instead of shooting the animals, local farmers now trap the animals and deliver them to Cheetah Farm for rehousing.

The main farmhouse is surrounded by a fence and the more placid cheetahs are free to roam around the garden.

And visitors can wander around the garden in the company of free roaming cheetahs.

But there is still a danger as they are still wild animals so you have to be careful.

Some of the cheetahs are less passive and have a reserve to themselves where they can room freely and hunt but have became accustomed to being fed so hang around waiting for the farm 4x4 to turn up and throw them some meat.

There is always a scramble for food and the more aggressive animals grab the first chunks of meat until al the animals have been fed.