Overview–namibia

Waterberg Plateau Park

The Waterberg Plateau is a scenic wildlife viewing destination. The park consists of a sandstone massif which stands out impressively from the surrounding savannah grasslands. It was established as a breeding ground for threatened species, including white rhino, roan, sable, and tsessebe. Self-drive is prohibited, but game drives can be booked through the Namibia Wildlife Resorts office. There are nine short, self-guided walks available.

Best Time to Visit

For wildlife viewing, the Dry season (in particular July to September) is the ideal time to visit the Waterberg Plateau. Animals seek out water during this time and tend to stay around those sources. Foliage also routinely shrinks back in the hotter months making wildlife watching easier.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Ideal wildlife viewing as animals gather at water sources and foliage is less dense
Warm weather, but not hot (September and October can get hot)
It is high season and the park gets busy
Dry conditions and heat make the air dusty

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

Little rain that occurs is a relief
The scenery is more attractive with plenty of flowers
Wildlife is healthy and new-born animals are around
Ideal birding as migrants arrive
Low season rates apply
Wildlife is more dispersed and difficult to spot in thicker vegetation
It tends to be very hot

Scenery

The Waterberg Plateau takes in a 50km/31mi long, 16km/10mi wide sandstone plateau offering excellent views over the surrounding desert plains. The massif gets its name from the many springs that trickle down the red sandstone cliffs. The plateau features wooded areas as well as acacia bush and thick undergrowth.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

May

Nov

Dec

Jun

Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: July to September (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season

From: June to October (The park gets crowded)

Size

From: 405km² / 156mi²

Wildlife & Animals

The isolated nature of the plateau makes the park an ideal refuge for threatened species. Both black and white rhino are protected here. You’re also likely to see giraffe and buffalo. Predator sightings are hit-and-miss, but cheetah, leopard and brown hyena can all be spotted. There are no lions or elephants.

Wildlife Highlights

The Waterberg Plateau plays a vital role in breeding endangered species for the restocking of other parks and conservation areas. Both roan and sable antelope fall in this category and they thrive on the plateau. Other antelope include eland, tsessebe, Damara dik-dik and greater kudu. The most common predator is the side-striped jackal and there have been some sightings of wild dog as well.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Waterberg Plateau can be visited throughout the year but wildlife viewing is best in the dry months from May to October. Although animals are captive on the plateau, they are easier to find during these months as they gather around permanent water sources and the vegetation is thinner. Wildlife hides at some of these water sources increase your chances of spotting wildlife, especially the rare roan and sable antelope.

General Wheather

Waterberg Plateau Park has a warm, semi-arid climate. Like most such climates, there is a significant contrast in temperature between night and day. Annual rainfall is mainly low and, when present, comes in the form of heavy thundershowers. November to April constitutes the Wet season. Rain is absent during the Dry season, which occurs in the winter months of May through October.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

Rain is absent during the winter. This is the coolest time of the year.

May, June, July & August – Warm clothes need to be packed at this time of year, since early mornings can be very cold (7°C/45°F). Throughout most of the day it is sunny and dry. Afternoon temperatures average 23°C/73°F.
September & October – Daytime temperatures increase to an average of 28°C/82°F, and the mornings are milder (although you may still need those warm clothes) at around 14°C/57°F. October or November brings the start of the rains.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

The Wet season falls in the hot summer months. Rainfall is moderate and comes in the form of occasional thunderstorms.

November & December – The rains, a relief after the long dry winter, usually start in November and begin to pick up in December. Occasional thunderstorms are to be expected. Afternoon temperatures average 30°C/86°F, making this the hottest time of year.
January, February & March – This is the wettest time of the year, though the sun still shines most of the day. Rains tend to cool the temperature, which averages from 14°C/57°F during the morning to 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
April – There are fewer rainy days throughout the month of April. Temperatures cool slightly to a daily average of 28°C/82°F.

Prons

Great wildlife viewing, including some rare species
Game drives and short, self-guided trails available
Several accommodation options in the park

Cons

Self-drive not allowed
No lion and sightings of other big cats are rare

How To Get There

Waterberg Plateau Park is located 300km/187mi northeast of Windhoek and 320km/200mi southeast of Etosha National Park. The driving time from Windhoek is about 3½ hours* and it’s about 4 hours* from Etosha.

The park can be visited on an organized tour or independently on a self-drive safari, but self-drive within the park itself is not allowed. Game drives can be booked in advance through the Namibia Wildlife Resorts office. The road to the park is usually accessible for normal 2WD cars.

Many visitors start their self-drive or organized safaris by way of 4x4 vehicles in the capital city of Windhoek. Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek and is the primary entry point into Namibia.

There are no scheduled domestic flights to Waterberg Plateau Park. There is an airstrip here for charter flights. Tour operators will usually book charter flights on your behalf as part of your tour package.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and what tickets would cost.