Travel Guide Waterberg Plateau Park

East of the B1 on the C22, the Waterberg Plateau soon emerges from the flat bush surface like a natural citadel crowned by red cliffs. At its foot, immense acacia trees shelter a dense vegetation which, from time immemorial, has been the refuge of men. Indeed, the sandstone, the red and spongy rock that forms the plateau, absorbs rainwater. The underground water table thus gives rise to numerous fountains. At the top of the cliffs extends a plateau of 40 550 ha, covered sometimes by arid vegetation, sometimes by real forests of red rocks, sculpted by erosion. Everywhere, wild fig trees hug the rock, while hundreds of species of colourful lichens cover the rocks. The Waterberg Plateau, declared a nature reserve in 1972, is home to white and black rhino, black hippo, horse antelope, Cape vulture and common species such as giraffe, oryx, kudu, warthog, impala and baboon. Predators are also found here, including leopards and brown hyenas. Due to the invasion of thorns, much of the park is burnt each year, except for the north-western end of the plateau, called Omuverume, where the flora is totally protected and off-limits. Only since 1989 has part of the reserve been accessible to visitors. Given the fragility of the ecosystem and the dangers posed by the wildlife, this access is governed by very strict rules. One of the few walks that can be done on foot, it is the time to take advantage of it but be careful, it climbs!