Waterberg Plateau
A national park on a red sandstone plateau that rises sharply from the plains, offering sunset views from the heights, forest trails and guided game drives to see rhinos.
Waterberg Plateau lies in the Otjozondjupa Region of north-central Namibia, about 68 km southeast of Otjiwarongo and about 300 km north of Windhoek. This red sandstone plateau, some 50 km long, rises about 200 m above the Kalahari plains. Its summit is wooded, and the sandstone absorbs rainwater that seeps out as springs at the foot of the mountain, which is how it got its name, meaning 'water mountain'. Waterberg Plateau Park, established in 1972, is known for protecting rare species including black rhino, white rhino, African buffalo and roan antelope. It is also Namibia's only breeding site for Cape vultures.
Areas to explore: (1) At the foot of the mountain, the Bernabé de la Bat rest camp and about 10 trails in the surrounding area. The Mountain View trail, which climbs to the edge of the plateau for sunset, is a must-do. (2) On the plateau top, only guided game drives organized by the camp are allowed, and you can wait for animals at water observation hides. (3) Near the camp, the 1904 Battle of Waterberg cemetery and the Herero memorial tell the story of the genocide during the German colonial period. (4) The Cheetah Conservation Fund, the AfriCat reserve and the Otjihaenamparero dinosaur footprints nearby can each be visited as half-day trips.
Climate: May to October is the dry season, with warm days and cooler nights, ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing. November to March is the rainy season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures above 38°C.
Getting there: There is no public transport, so you need a car or a tour. From Windhoek, take the B1 north via Okahandja and Otjiwarongo, then turn onto the C22 and D2512. The drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, and the last 20 km are gravel. A stay of 1 to 2 nights is recommended, often as the first stop on the way from Windhoek to Etosha National Park. Book camp accommodation in advance through NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts). Watch out for baboons trying to snatch food, and bring warm clothes for the nights.
Top sights
- Waterberg Plateau Park – A national park on a red sandstone plateau rising about 200 metres above the Kalahari plain. It has crimson cliffs and dense forest on top…
- Mountain View Viewpoint – Climb from camp via the Mountain View Trail to the plateau edge, with a sweeping view over the endless Kalahari bush plain. It is a classic…
- Waterberg Plateau Game Drive – Ride an open-sided park safari vehicle to the closed plateau top, then look for rhinos, buffalo and roan antelope from hidden water-point v…
- Waterberg Battlefield Cemetery – A small cemetery beside the camp holding German soldiers killed in the 1904 Battle of Waterberg (Ohamakari), with a monument to fallen Here…
- Cheetah Conservation Fund – A leading global cheetah conservation organisation, where you can visit the research centre, watch cheetahs chase bait, and learn about its…
- Okonjima Nature Reserve / AfriCat Foundation – A private reserve in the Omboroko hills, where the AfriCat Foundation rescues cheetahs and leopards, and visitors can follow a guide to tra…
- Otjihaenamaparero Dinosaur Tracks – Dinosaur footprints about 190 million years old preserved in farm sandstone, with a trail you can walk along. A Namibian national monument.
Where to eat
- Waterberg Camp Restaurant – The restaurant at the state-run Waterberg Camp, set in a century-old German colonial police station, with views over th…
- Waterberg Wilderness Lodge Restaurant and Tea Garden – The lodge restaurant in a private reserve on the eastern side of the plateau. It serves a farmhouse set dinner in the e…