Okonjima

An ever changing Okonjima!

You may already have noticed that things have changed a little since you were last here.
It has also been a trying time where the road some days has seemed a little rockier than usual. . .

SAYING GOODBYE TO AFRICAT’S FAMED CHEETAHS!

Chinga was a six-month-old orphan cheetah cub when she came to Okonjima in 1989. The FIRST big cat the Hanssen Family ever saved! She was bought at a farmer’s auction for approx. N$200, and the reason the Hanssens felt sorry for her and felt they should save this poor cub, was because NO ONE placed a bid, and the owner told them; "that he most probably would have to put her down, for he does not want to keep her. He just did not know what else to bring to the auction to raise funds for the Namibian Independence elections".

She was one of the primary influences in establishing the AfriCat Foundation and, together with her companions, Caesar and Chui, became very well known to guests at Okonjima for many years, as the 3 musketeers graced the lawn of Main Camp at coffee time!

Also amongst the first cheetah orphans to be taken into AfriCat’s care, Tyke and Spike became a famous duo and were two of the six cheetahs released into AfriCat’s first large cheetah enclosure (sponsored by Richard and Diana Reynolds-Hale) over a decade ago. Tyke only had 3 legs dues to a road accident, and was loved by so many for his courage.

In the last 12 months we have had to say a sad goodbye to 4 of these well-loved icons – Chinga, Chui, Caesar and Tyke. Mature in age – seventeen, twelve, eighteen and fourteen years respectively - all of them succumbed to kidney failure. Renal disease is often diagnosed in captive cheetahs, as well as domestic cats, especially in those of advanced years.

Chinga, Caesar, Chui and Tyke are sorely missed. They will never be forgotten and will always have a special place in our hearts!

You might have met them - some of the others who helped us when we needed them most!

ALSO IN LOVING MEMORY OF –

Our famous Schmoozi, who passed away in Feb 2003. Little-One and Deke who passed in Feb 2004. Andy the caracal, who was killed by a leopard early Dec 2004, and who was with us for about 14 years. She was often spotted around Bush Camp. Tyson, our 20 year old Leopard, was found dead during October 2004. We miss seeing his familiar tracks in the bush as well as the occasional sighting of the ‘LEOPARD WHO TAUGHT US THAT LARGE CATS AND HUMANS CAN TRUST ONE ANOTHER!’

The death of an animal is always very hard to accept, but Chinga, Chui, Tyke, Schmoozi, Little-One, Deke, Tyson and Andy’s deaths are like the end of an era. The absence of their familiar, friendly faces have left a huge void and they are sorely missed by those whose lives they touched and those who loved them dearly.

OKONJIMA IS GROWING AGAIN– we now have 60 beds!

Our luxury BUSH CAMP turned 5 years old on the 5th of August 2006 and both Main & Bush Camp now also offer a half-board rate (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)!
We have eventually decided to increase our number of beds again. The Select, Private BUSH SUITE opened its doors on the 1st of June 2006 and is situated 500m from Bush Camp. This super, luxury Suite is the perfect getaway for 4 people and its here where ‘Wesley Snipes’ and his family stayed for a weekend in November 2006. THE VILLA, which is Okonjima’s Grand African House is 10km away from Main Camp and is the perfect home away from home for 8 to 12 people. The Villa was opened on the 18th of December 2005 and was the home of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and their wonderful little family for four days in April 2006!

THE HANSSEN FAMILY!

Sadly our darling father passed away on the 4th of July 2006! VJ and Rose (who passed on the 16th of August 1992) arrived on OKONJIMA in 1970 and started everything you see here today!
"Our most treasured Dad, VJ -has ascended from this life he loved so well, has left the children he raised together with our Mom, Rose - to arrive in Heaven, where God has made provision for humble men and women. We miss him terribly but his Belief in the Lord and his love for the land and us all, will guide us forever! Tammy, Wayne, Donna & Rosalea"

"that’s what made uncle Val so great. . .
he launched many ships
he enabled so many around to soar"
[Vernon Hanssen, nephew]

How do you put in words the myriad of feelings that rise when a man of Uncle Val’s stature moves on?
Times like this, you realise it would have been an amazing privilege to have spent more time with a man like that and learned from him."
[Dale Hanssen, nephew]

'We can shed tears that he is gone,
or we can smile because he has lived.
We can close our eyes and pray that he'll come back,
or we can open our eyes and see all he's left.
Our hearts can be empty because we can't see him,
or we can be full of the love we shared.
We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or we can cherish his memory and let it live on.
We can cry and close our minds, be empty and turn our backs,
or we can do what he'd want: smile, open our eyes, love and go on."

But on a happier note. . .
The Okonjima Hanssen children and the AfriCat family are still very much ‘at home’, although, like some of our cats, they tend to disappear into the bush for long periods of time! If you would like to see one of them – just shout, and we’ll try and track them down!?
Rosalea & Luigi have just welcomed their 3 child, KAYDEN by name – whom was born on the 30th of MAY 2006.

If you are planning to return again, please give us prior notice, mentioning ‘how many times’ you have been to Okonjima – so that we can plan something special for you. . . .

Have a FANTASTIC STAY! May your ‘Journey’ be a good one!
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rain fall softly on your fields.
AND UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN,
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE
PALM OF HIS HAND!

Wayne, Donna, Rosalea & Luigi, Carla & Dave, Tristan, Yolandi, Jo & Mush, Dax, Dean, Roma & Clive, Corne, Chris, Hendrik, Louthie, Leopard, Fritza, Rina, Johanna, Martinette, Sanel, Elroy, Riaan, Elaine, Jesaya, Kapolo, Juuso, June, Magda and all the rest at Okonjima and AfriCat.