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A FARM IN
AFRICA

Farm history

The farm ‘Okosongomingo’, on which the Waterberg Guest Farm is located, has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909. Your host, Harry Schneider-Waterberg, is a third generation German Namibian, carrying on the family tradition.

Over the century of its existence the farm Okosongomingo has seen various operational practices. Today it is still a fully operational cattle farm breeding Santa Gertrudis, a cattle breed originating from Texas and imported by Harry’s dad to Namibia in the late 60s, which has proven itself as hardy and extremely well adapted to Namibia’s dry climate. In the past the farm has also gained a reputation for its breeding of Arab horses.

The cattle ranch 'Okosongorningo'. has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909.

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calves

A FARM IN
AFRICA

Farm history

The ranch 'Okosongomingd, on which the Waterberg Guest Farm is located, has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909 and your host, Harry Schneider-Waterberg, a third generation German Namibian, carries on the family tradition of cattle forming.

Okosongomingo is still a fully operational cattle form breeding Santo Gertrudis, a cattle breed originating from Texas in the late 60's, which has proven itself as hardy and extremely well adopted to Namibia's dry climate. The form has also gained a reputation for its breeding of wild Arabian horses.

The cattle ranch 'Okosongorningo'. has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909.

A FARM IN
AFRICA

Farm history

The ranch 'Okosongomingd, on which the Waterberg Guest Farm is located, has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909 and your host, Harry Schneider-Waterberg, a third generation German Namibian, carries on the family tradition of cattle forming.

Okosongomingo is still a fully operational cattle form breeding Santo Gertrudis, a cattle breed originating from Texas in the late 60's, which has proven itself as hardy and extremely well adopted to Namibia's dry climate. The form has also gained a reputation for its breeding of wild Arabian horses.

The cattle ranch 'Okosongorningo'. has been in the Schneider-Waterberg family since 1909.

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The “Schneiders” horses, a unique Arab mix breed was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Harry’s father and became well-known in the endurance riding circles beyond Namibia’s borders. Not only did those horses win several local endurance races in the 1970s and 1980s but also competed internationally. However, during the severe drought of 1996 many breeding mares had to be sold and the breed struggled to recover for years after.

In 2016 Harry & Sonja, took the decision to use the remains of the original stud to rebuild the herd and to re-connect with the legacy of the Schneiders horses. Waterberg Guest Farm has since invested in stables, trainers and leopard friendly breeding programmes which protect young foals from predators until they are old and big enough to protect themselves. Today, you can see and possibly even ride some of these famous horses as part of the activities at Waterberg Guest Farm.

horse

The “Schneiders” horses, a unique Arab mix breed was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Harry’s father and became well-known in the endurance riding circles beyond Namibia’s borders.

Your host Harry Schneider-Waterberg with a heard of Santa Getrudis cattle.

Our Cattle

Originating from Texas, USA, Santa Gertrudis are bred to survive in arid areas. From the day they are born, the cattle stay in the bush veld all year round and feed solely on natural grass, complimented by seasonal salt licks. Besides being incredibly hardy and adaptable the Santa Gertrudis cattle also look very beautiful with their reddish-brown skin.

A threat to our meat production is the leopard which naturally roams our area in big numbers and has every right to be here as it came before cattle farming and horse breeding. That is why our cattle management is specifically focused on protecting calves from falling prey to leopard.

To prevent overgrazing and to maintain the environmental balance cattle and horses are regularly rotated between camps based on an utilize-and-rest principle. Some of these activities are still done on horseback like in the old days before Land Cruisers, the modern cowboy’s “horse”.

Our guests are pampered in o style befitting the spectacular surroundings. Apart from comfortable en-suite rooms, guests can also soak up the atmosphere of the unspoilt African bush in our secluded bush bungalows – situated about 160 metres from the main homestead. Built entirely of natural materials from the surrounding mountains, they offer all the modern amenities wrapped up in good old-fashioned romance!

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Address

149 Farm Okosongomingo
Otjiwarongo District Namibia

Contact

Tel: +264817514866
E-Mail: [email protected]