De Wildt Cheetah Centre
The original Ann van Dyk cheetah breeding centre — behind-the-scenes conservation tours of a pioneer cheetah project.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The pioneer cheetah and wild dog breeding centre — the best conservation tour in day-trip range of Joburg, if you'll take a guided facility over a reserve.
The pioneer cheetah and wild dog breeding centre — the best conservation tour in day-trip range of Joburg, if you'll take a guided facility over a reserve.
- Trip Role
- Worth a Detour
- Ideal Stay
- 2–3 hours
- Best For
- Conservation-minded travellers, families with older kids, anyone who wants to understand cheetah and wild dog breeding.
- Skip If
- Travellers wanting a self-drive or a Big Five experience.
- Go If
- You want a substantive conservation tour, not a safari photo stop, and you're within day-trip of Joburg.
- Worth Extra Drive
- 15 min
Why it's worth your time
The original Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre (now operating as the De Wildt Cheetah Centre in some listings, and historically 'De Wildt') — the pioneering cheetah breeding and conservation project that helped pull the species back from the brink and now runs wild dog and cheetah programmes. The visit is a booked, guided tour behind the breeding enclosures — not a self-drive safari. For travellers it's the most substantive wildlife-conservation visit within day-trip range of Joburg/Pretoria, and it pairs naturally with Hartbeespoort. Honest note: the centre is also listed as the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre — confirm which site you're booking; both sit in the Magaliesberg foothills.
What we love
The behind-the-scenes breeding enclosures; the wild dog programme; the chance to understand the conservation work, not just see the animals.
What to know
Booked guided tours only — no drop-ins. Book ahead; tours run set times. Pair with Hartbeespoort for a day from the city.