4.5
4.5/5

Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre was previously known as the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. It is a captive breeding facility for South African cheetahs and other animals.

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre was the world’s first facility to breed captive cheetahs on a sustainable basis and the world’s first Cites-approved cheetah breeding facility. It is located in the Magaliesberg mountain range near Brits and the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa’s North West Province. The centre’s goal is to keep a viable genetic pool of cheetahs and African wild dogs (Africa’s second most endangered carnivore) for release back into their natural habitat. Other endangered species bred at the centre include the African wild cat, Suni, Blue and Red Duiker, Riverine Rabbit, and Vultures, including the extremely rare Egyptian Vulture. It was the first facility to reintroduce captive-born African wild dogs into their natural habitat successfully.

Since its inception in 1971, the centre has given birth to over 600 cheetah cubs and over 500 wild dog pups. Here, the mystery of the King Cheetah was solved with the birth of the first King Cheetah in captivity. The Centre currently houses 78 cheetahs and 21 wild dogs. It also serves as a refuge for animals that have been illegally kept and confiscated. The facility successfully captured and relocated over sixty cheetahs considered “problem animals” through their Wild Cheetah Management Programme.

As a result of this project and the implementation of “Cheetah Friendly” farmer boards, 240 thousand hectares of farmland have been converted into areas demonstrating that the cheetah and farmer can coexist.

The Outreach Education Programme has reached an excess of 100 000 learners since its inception in 2003. It has impacted the hearts and minds of many young people who have chosen nature conservation as a career. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre has been instrumental in assisting the government with developing policies for free-roaming cheetah management in South Africa over the last two years. The Centre is a non-profit organisation with income generated through tours, an adoption programme, donations and sponsorship. Every day, informative guided tours are available, allowing guests to drive through the cheetah and wild dog camps in an open safari vehicle.

The cheetah run provides an opportunity to see a thrilling high-speed cheetah chase. A knowledgeable guide leads tours, and visitors to the centre will see various animals.

The Centre has contributed to the survival and conservation of the cheetah through careful breeding (ensuring genetic diversity) and the release captive-born cheetahs as and when suitable space becomes available. It has also played an important role in academia, with eighty research publications written and conducted through the facility. The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre does not provide ambassador interactions/touching to the general public.

Note the age and height restrictions for children – no children younger than seven years or up to a height of 1.2m.

You might also like our Rhino and Lion Park Tour or Cradle of Humankind & Sterkfontein Caves Tour.

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre was previously known as the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. It is a captive breeding facility for South African cheetahs and other animals.

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre was the world’s first facility to breed captive cheetahs on a sustainable basis and the world’s first Cites-approved cheetah breeding facility. It is located in the Magaliesberg mountain range near Brits and the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa’s North West Province. The centre’s goal is to keep a viable genetic pool of cheetahs and African wild dogs (Africa’s second most endangered carnivore) for release back into their natural habitat. Other endangered species bred at the centre include the African wild cat, Suni, Blue and Red Duiker, Riverine Rabbit, and Vultures, including the extremely rare Egyptian Vulture. It was the first facility to reintroduce captive-born African wild dogs into their natural habitat successfully.

Since its inception in 1971, the centre has given birth to over 600 cheetah cubs and over 500 wild dog pups. Here, the mystery of the King Cheetah was solved with the birth of the first King Cheetah in captivity. The Centre currently houses 78 cheetahs and 21 wild dogs. It also serves as a refuge for animals that have been illegally kept and confiscated. The facility successfully captured and relocated over sixty cheetahs considered “problem animals” through their Wild Cheetah Management Programme.

As a result of this project and the implementation of “Cheetah Friendly” farmer boards, 240 thousand hectares of farmland have been converted into areas demonstrating that the cheetah and farmer can coexist.

The Outreach Education Programme has reached an excess of 100 000 learners since its inception in 2003. It has impacted the hearts and minds of many young people who have chosen nature conservation as a career. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre has been instrumental in assisting the government with developing policies for free-roaming cheetah management in South Africa over the last two years. The Centre is a non-profit organisation with income generated through tours, an adoption programme, donations and sponsorship. Every day, informative guided tours are available, allowing guests to drive through the cheetah and wild dog camps in an open safari vehicle.

The cheetah run provides an opportunity to see a thrilling high-speed cheetah chase. A knowledgeable guide leads tours, and visitors to the centre will see various animals.

The Centre has contributed to the survival and conservation of the cheetah through careful breeding (ensuring genetic diversity) and the release captive-born cheetahs as and when suitable space becomes available. It has also played an important role in academia, with eighty research publications written and conducted through the facility. The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre does not provide ambassador interactions/touching to the general public.

Note the age and height restrictions for children – no children younger than seven years or up to a height of 1.2m.

You might also like our Rhino and Lion Park Tour or Cradle of Humankind & Sterkfontein Caves Tour.

Highlights

  • The cheetah run provides an opportunity to see a thrilling high-speed cheetah chase. A knowledgeable guide leads tours, and visitors to the centre will see various animals.

Included

Your quoted rate includes collection from and drop-off to your address in Johannesburg or Pretoria, as well as the guided tour of the centre in an open safari vehicle.

Excluded

Your quoted rate excludes all meals, beverages, gratuities, and items of personal nature

Itinerary

Day 1 -

You will be collected from your address in Pretoria or Johannesburg at the arranged time for a morning or afternoon tour and drive to the centre.

You will join a guide on an open safari vehicle for an informative drive through the cheetah and wild dog camps in the open safari vehicle.

Suppose you have booked the cheetah run added to the tour. In that case, you will also get the excellent photographic opportunity to experience the thrill of watching a cheetah run at high speed.

After your tour, you can stop by the curio shop, where there is something for everyone, from fluffy cheetah and wild dog toys to jewellery and books.

After the tour and some refreshments (for your account), you will be transported back to your residence address.

Return

Important Information

Additional costs: The cheetah run on Sundays – R200.00 per person

Collection and Drop off

Guests are collected from their address in Johannesburg or Pretoria between 06:30 and 07:00 if they book for a morning tour and between 12:30 and 13:00 for an afternoon tour.

Driving time to the centre will depend on your address but should not be more than about one hour.

If you book the extra cheetah run activity on a Sunday, your collection time will vary for this option.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where is the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre?

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre is located in the Magaliesberg Mountain range which close to Brits, the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province of South Africa.

 

What is the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre?

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, formerly known as the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre, is a world-renowned facility that breeds cheetahs and wildlife in South Africa. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre is the first facility in the world to breed cheetahs in a way that’s sustainable. It was also the first cheetah-breeding facility approved by CITES.

 

What is the Cheetah run at Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre?

The Cheetah run and tour afford guests the opportunity to experience the thrill of watching a cheetah run at high speed. This is an exhilarating experience and an excellent photographic opportunity.

 

Itinerary

You will be collected from your address in Pretoria or Johannesburg at the arranged time for a morning or afternoon tour and drive to the centre.

You will join a guide on an open safari vehicle for an informative drive through the cheetah and wild dog camps in the open safari vehicle.

Suppose you have booked the cheetah run added to the tour. In that case, you will also get the excellent photographic opportunity to experience the thrill of watching a cheetah run at high speed.

After your tour, you can stop by the curio shop, where there is something for everyone, from fluffy cheetah and wild dog toys to jewellery and books.

After the tour and some refreshments (for your account), you will be transported back to your residence address.

Starting from:

ZAR 1,925 sharing

ZAR 3,185 single

Need more Info?

Starting from:

R 1925

R 3185

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