The staleness of the Namibian desert air did nothing to quiet the beating of my heart. The cheetah approached me as I stood still on the desert grass. I could hear it’s soft purr and felt the static of it’s closeness. Everyone stood silent.

The cheetah passed inches before me and continued toward it’s other three siblings in the distance. It’s long and slender body stretching away from me as it’s distance grew.

“Come on” Soloman said to us as he walked in the cheetahs direction. We followed closely behind him, our cameras hanging around our necks.

The irony. Six humans in pursuit of four young adult cheetahs. The humans stalking behind them as the cheetahs take a leisurely stroll through the desert’s grass.

We walked for over an hour as the African Bush challenged our pathway and the sun beat down on our backs; heat rising from the ground mocking our feeble attempts to shield ourselves with hats and long sleeve white shirts.

We watched as the cheetahs played together, chased each other, and appeared to seek out prey. I squatted down with my camera in hand, getting eye level with them (from a distance) as I waited to make eye contact.

Then suddenly Soloman began to call their names and just like horses to a stable — the majestic young cheetahs followed him back to his truck, to jump into the cage, to be taken back home.

I am usually uneasy about these types of animal experiences. Either the owners allow people to touch the wildlife (which at times can put them in distress) or you often learn after the fact that animal encounters are inhumane and encourage widespread animal cruelty.

But not at N/a’an ku sê.

This is a true sanctuary where the animals are either wounded, orphans, abandon or surrendered by former owners who caught them illegally. All animals are cared for until they can be released into the wild or it is determined that they are unable to survive outside of captivity.

For these four cheetahs (one named Bullet who we adopted for the year) they were all orphaned as cubs and will likely spend their lives at the sanctuary.

Getting close but not so close to them was an exhilarating experience. One not to be missed but also one not to be taken up without some caution. For example, we were not allowed to approach the cheetahs or touch them or take pictures with them. All of which were for their own benefit (and probably ours).

In addition to the beautiful cheetahs we were introduce to a pack of 15 orphaned baboons.

For me, baboons are typically terrifying animals.  They have very sharp teeth, they are strong, they are mischievous attitude, and they have thumbs like humans. Just imagine if they could learn how to use them like we do!  I’ve often  watched baboons run wild in South Africa  while on safari and I always shift uncomfortably in my seat hoping none of them approach too close.

However, as when we pulled up to a tree stump in an open air jeep to  wait for a team of ten volunteers who were walking in the distance with the pack of baboons like a group of school children toward us — my fear subsided a bit.

These mischievous “kids” had all been raised by humans and orphaned or abandoned at a young age. While the stories of how they got there were heartbreaking the relationships with their human care takers were heartwarming.

I spoke with one volunteer from the United States who said she had come to Namibia to work with the beloved cheetahs but ended up being asked to deal with the baboons.

She told me that after two weeks of working with them she was hooked. She fell in love with their personalities and their playful manners. She has been coming back every year to work with them for a month at a time. She joked that it isn’t everyday you find your life calling to volunteer with Baboons.

And just as she laughed a small baboon jumped from a tree onto her back. She yelped a little and then grabbed the baby baboon’s arms as she swung him around like a child and you could hear the baboon’s laughter.

I eased a bit more learning more about the Baboons and let my guard down as I squatted next to a care giver cuddling with a baboon. Within  a few minutes I felt a cold hand up my shirt touching my back as I turned around to see a new “friend” grooming me as others looked on in absolute amusement.

This is the experience one can have at N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary.

The addition of this day trip outside of Windhoek was a last minute add on to my desert tour with Wild Dog Safaris.

After arriving in Windhoek and getting to know the city on a half day tour — I figured I’d be a bit bored sitting around all day so I booked a  tour to spend the day with Marlice van Vuuren, a courageous Namibian woman who runs the sanctuary.

That day tour with her included my unexpected walk with cheetahs and encounter with baboons plus a trip to the “farm” where I met many of the animal locals.

If you are flying into Windhoek to see the amazing deserts around Namibia  it is easy to miss some of Windhoek’s surrounding charm. If you have time time I would highly recommend flying in a bit early to book a day trip (or an overnight stay) at the N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary.

To experience the walk with cheetahs, the encounter with the baboons, and some encounters with the local animal residents ran me about $1,500 Namibian dollars (or $127 USD).

It’s definitely not a cheap excursion but it’s well worth the cost. The money goes to the N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Foundation, helping it continue to care for wildlife while also supporting educational opportunities for the Sans people, one of the indigenous people of Namibia.

Furthermore, this foundation is the leading foundation in Namibia working to reduce human – wildlife conflict and sharing it’s findings with the rest of the continent. Even Brangelina (when they were still Brangelina) supported the organization and have a building named after their first child together.

It’s only an hour away from Windhoek making it an easy escape from capital city. You can book tours for the wildlife sanctuary through Wild Dog Safaris or directly on their website. The Sanctuary has a lodge and also has a winery.

If you find yourself in Windhoek this experience is not to be missed.

To donate to the foundation go here.

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