Page 29 - CCF

Photography, Stargazing
& Ornithology
CCF welcomes small groups lead by enthusiasts or experts to stay at
Cheetah View Lodge or Babson Guesthouse. Staying overnight at CCF
provides the perfect opportunity for photographers, internet activists
or star-gazing groups (up to 20 adults and a guide) to spend their time
capturing conservation in Namibia through the eyes of the Cheetah
Conservation Fund.
Birders can quite literally have a field day at CCF as more than 216
species of birds have been recorded on CCF’s private reserve due to
its proximity to bird breeding grounds on the Waterberg Plateau.
Rare and vulnerable birds such as the lesser kestrel and Cape vulture
are seen occasionally. More common are red billed franklins, shrikes,
whoopo’s, hornbills, ostriches, vultures, various eagles and pale chant-
ing goshawks. The reserve has several hides which can be utilized by
guides to create tours to view CCF birds on the wing.
Photographers can also go snap-happy and CCF’s reserve is the ide-
al place for photography enthusiasts to capture some amazing shots.
Flora and fauna abound and there is no end of wildlife in its natural
habitat. That coupled with spectacular sunrises and flame-red sunsets,
wide-open landscapes and vivid colours all go to provide enthusiastic
photographers innumerable opportunities to improve their techniques.
Namibia’s wide open plains and clear skies coupled with low levels of
light pollution, and an arid desert climate is the reason that Namibia
is recognized as one of the best places in the world for stargazing by
the Dark Skies Association. Clearly visible to the naked eye, brightly
coloured planets shine above and the southern constellations and the
Milky Way are clearly visible above the night silhouette of the Water-
berg Plateau. With its south-east facing veranda, elevated above the
low trees of the bushveld, our night star-gazing is an awe-inspiring
must from the Cheetah View Lodge and Babson Guesthouse.