Waterberg Plateau

The Waterberg is a flat-topped sandstone massif standing two hundred metres above the surrounding bush, and the porous rock holds water that seeps out at the base, which is why the vegetation around it is unusually lush for Namibia. Its cliffs made the plateau a natural enclosure, and in the 1970s it was used as a sanctuary for species under pressure elsewhere, including white and black rhino, buffalo, sable and roan antelope, which were relocated here to breed. Access to the plateau itself is by guided drive only. Around the base, walking trails run through the woodland below the cliffs, which is unusual in a country where most wildlife viewing is from a vehicle, and the birding along the escarpment is excellent.

What you actually see

• Guided plateau drives - the only way onto the top, where the relocated species live.
• Base trails - self-guided walks in the woodland beneath the cliffs.
• The escarpment birding - Cape vultures and rock-loving species along the cliffs.
• Sandstone formations - eroded red rock along the plateau edge.

When to go

May to October, the dry season, when animals concentrate near water and the weather is cool. The green season from December brings dramatic skies, more birds and thicker vegetation that hides mammals.

Honest expectations

You cannot drive yourself onto the plateau, and the guided drives have set times and limited seats, so book on arrival or in advance. Sightings on top are far from guaranteed given the size of the area and the density of bush. The rest camp is state-run and functional rather than luxurious. It is also a place of considerable historical weight for Namibia, which the site interprets only lightly.

Nearby

Otjiwarongo and the cheetah conservation centres are nearby; Etosha lies northwest.