Tour Description

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Important Information:

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1. Transfers to and from the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre are private, but visitors will join a public tour upon arrival. Tours commence at 09:00 AM or 02:00 PM.
2. Children under 6 years old are not permitted on these tours.

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The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre, formerly known as the De Wildt Cheetah Centre, was established in 1971 by Ann Van Dyk and her brother, Godfrey. The centre was founded with the mission of breeding and conserving endangered species, with a particular focus on the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Through its dedicated conservation efforts, the centre has successfully bred over 750 cheetah cubs, a remarkable achievement considering South Africa’s cheetah population was once estimated at just 700.

While cheetah conservation remains at the heart of the centre’s work, its mission has expanded to include other rare and endangered species such as:

1. African Wild Dogs
2. Brown Hyenas
3. Servals
4. Suni Antelope
5. Blue and Red Duikers
6. Bontebok
7. Riverine Rabbits
8. Various Vulture Species, including the critically rare Egyptian Vulture

Many of these animals have been successfully bred and reintroduced into the wild, helping restore populations in areas where they had become scarce or extinct.

In response to the declining numbers of wild cheetahs, the centre played a pivotal role in forming the National Cheetah Management Forum (NCMF) in 2000, which developed a national strategy to protect free-roaming cheetahs. A national cheetah census was conducted from 2003 to 2006 as part of these conservation efforts.

The centre’s contributions to wildlife conservation have received national recognition. In 2002, founder Ann Van Dyk was awarded the Gold Medal by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, followed by the Chancellor’s Award from the University of Pretoria in 2003. In 2009, the centre was officially renamed the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre in her honor.

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Location:

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Nestled in the scenic Magaliesberg foothills in North West Province, the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre is approximately one hour from Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Pretoria. It is also near Hartbeespoort Dam, a popular destination for day trips.

This exceptionally engaging tour offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience South Africa’s incredible wildlife up close while learning about ongoing conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations.

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Tour Option & Availability:

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Tour VHCH-1

• Availability: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings; daily in the afternoon.
• Pick-Up Time: 07:30 AM or 12:30 PM

Tour VHCH-2 (Including Cheetah Run)

• Availability: Wednesdays and Sunday mornings.
• Pick-Up Time: 06:30 AM
• Special Note: This tour follows the same itinerary as Tour VCHC-1 but includes a cheetah run, starting 30 minutes earlier.