I was lucky enough to spend almost three weeks in the wilds of South Africa. And that was not the beginning of the luck. I won international airfare and six nights at Zulu Nyala in a raffle sponsored by Feline Conservation Federation. And even that was not the beginning of my luck. Twenty years ago I read the book, Cheetah by Kathrine and Karl Ammann. That instilled in me a great desire to meet a cheetah face to face. For two decades I searched for a way until in July 2005 I discovered an organization promoting hands-on feline husbandry. And their national convention was in two days... in Miami! I hopped on a red-eye and was privileged to meet a passionate group which shared their lives with exotic cats from oncilla to liger. I got involved by editing the FCF journal. Through it I met Bobby Hartslief who has a 2,500 acre ranch in South Africa which breeds cheetah. The Savannah Cheetah Foundation has become one of the world's most successful cheetah breeders. That's where I was able to realize my 20-year quest to pet a cheetah.

First if all, where did we go out at Africa? Here's two maps which will tell the story.

There two two distinct parts of my trip. the first part was to a touristy and luxurious photo safari lodge. We spent six nights there. Then we traveled to Free State where we spent ten glorious days with the cheetah. Click below to follow our travels:

Zulu Nyala Game Lodge Social Life Game Drives Tembe Elephant Park Zulu Nyala facilities

Savannah Cheetah Foundation/ Savannah Africa Game Drives Vredefort Dome Cheetahs Black Footed Cat Giraffe Capture Ruins Savannah Facilities

Click on the FCF logo to find out about the world's oldest group dedicated to hands-on feline husbandry.

This site last updated 18 December 2006