Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre an exciting conservation project!
Description
Private pick up and drop back anywhere in the Johannesburg/Pretoria/OR Tambo included in price. All tours are conducted by fully qualified English-speaking tour guides in approved vehicles with tourism permits. Other language guides on request. Standard Tour at 9.00am (Mon,Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat) 8.00am with Cheetah Run ( Sun, Wed) or 14.00pm everyday includes an introductory lecture and, a drive-through of the larger enclosures with the feeding of the larger groups of Cheetahs and African wild dogs kept there and followed by a drive-through of the small reserve with antelope and other animals and are available daily (including weekends and public holidays) at
Tour Options
Itinerary
The guided tour at the Cheetah Centre including Cheetah and Wild Dog breeding and other programmes. The "Cheetah Run"is added to the programme on Sunday and Wednesday mornings. Although the Cheetah breeding programme was the main initiative that led to the foundation of the centre in 1971, there are many other animals here whose continued existence and genetic diversity is supported by various breeding programmes at the centre. Here one can see Cheetahs of course and African Wild Dogs in the larger rewilding projects, but also Brown Hyena, Caracal, Serval, African Wild Cat various Vultures and many other large bird species, many antelope types, wildebeest, meerkats ostriches and other animals added time to time.
You will pass by our capital city Pretoria
The centre is situated in the scenic Magalieberg and Hartebeespoort region. The Magaliesberg are the 2nd most ancient visible mountain range in the world at 3 billion years. A dam wall built in the Crocodile River Gorge in the mountains forms the Hartebeesport Dam a vast stretch of water. Depending on the route you guide takes to the Cheetah centre he may cross the wall with its spouting plumes of water very close up and scenic views down the gorge.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If staying at a hotel please wait for the guide at the reception or foyer on the ground floor. He/She will have a name badge identifying himself. If you are staying at a guest house or private residence please make sure the gate bell works and if possible, wait just on the inside of the gate. Also, if possible, let us have your mobile number so we can WhatsApp or text you.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Minimum Height Restriction of 1.2 meters
Reviews(16)
What a great opportunity to see cheetahs and wild dogs. Would recommend if you only have a few days around Johannesburg. Watching the cheetah run was great.
An exciting experience if you are able to include the AM cheetah run. It was a sight to see them in action. Otherwise, most of the animals are seen in enclosures, which is great; but to see them unrestricted is a much better experience. The guides were excellent & brave- Sandile & John. They interacted with the unrestrained animals to allow them to come close to the safari vehicle. Overall, a worthwhile and educational experience.
Absolutely loved this tour. Loved the Cheetahs and really enjoyed the African Wild Painted Dogs. The Dogs are my favorite and did not disappoint. This is the first time first time that I have seen Dogs. Many other animals are at the Cheetah Center including the rare King Cheetah, Hyena, Vultures, as well as other animals. I highly recommend Mmilo Tours and my tour guide Willem. Mmilo and Willem are very responsive and very prompt. Willem made sure that I had a great experience.
Thank you Judith. Yes I hope they allowed the dogs to follow the safari vehicle as you went with the guide to feed them. They actually "hunt'the truck and yoiu get a feel of how it must be the be the prey of these fantastic creatures!
This was virtually a private safari with my husband and myself, 2 naturalists, the jeep driver and the person from Viatour who picked us up. We saw so many animals, the guides were extremely knowledgeable, it was a fabulous first day in Africa. We even adopted an Egyptian Parrot named Steve.
Thank you Susan. Its great to know that you had a good time and that Steve has got a supporter and an assured future! This is Patrick the owner of Mmilo Tours that organised your trip.
What an excellent experience that exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Francois, was professional, cognitive of time, and kept us on track. Johannesburg freeways can get congested, but Francois knew all the backroads to expedite our travel time. We included the Elephant Sanctuary which I recommend. Having the opportunity to interact with the Elephants was a special experience. Recommend this tour.
Wonderful tour, informative commentary about animal behaviour, worthwhile organization to support. This organization has reintroduced over 800 cheetahs back into the wild. They also work with other endangered animals.
Brilliant views of all the animal ambassadors and learnt a lot especially with the painted dogs Impressed by her work and the number of cheetahs released into the wild All a bit spoilt though by me being on my own as I’d have been happier with a small group. Also I feel you could do better with the driver/ he talks nonstop and his language was sometimes offensive - talking about “blacks” and “ Jew boys” and the ANC being communists. Maybe better to stick to animals ?
It was exciting to be so close to the animals and to be able to take great pictures. Nichole and Wilson are a great guide team. It is interesting to watch Wilson command respect as he feeds the animals. Nichole is gifted in her ability to explain facts about the animals and yet make them sound like family. This is very much worth the visit.
It is a very long drive from JNB - approx 2 hours each way- but definitely worth your time. Great organization to support their good work
Thank you JoRene. The Anne van Dyk Cheetah Centre does perform an important role in defending the Cheetah in the wild's existence but also of course the African Wild Dog too. We recommend staying in Pretoria its just as close to the airport and is a lot closer to all the attractions out that way the Cheetah Centre, Elephant Sanctuary, Pilanesberg Game Reserve and the scenic area of Hartebeespoort Dam and the 2 billion-year-old Magaliesberg Mountains. It's also a lot warmer than Joburg this time of the year, our "winter', being 2-300 metres lower in altitude.
A must do if you love wildlife. The drive was pleasant. The guide at the centre was brilliant, informative and charismatic.
