The red cliff
A long wall above the forest.
Lidine Mia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lidine Mia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Domenico Convertini from Zurich, Schweiz — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Lidine Mia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lidine Mia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Waterberg Plateau Park is a national park in central Namibia, centred on a huge red plateau rising suddenly above the eastern Kalahari plains. Its sandstone walls appear as a long line above green forest. It makes a comfortable stop between Windhoek and Etosha, combining walks, views and wildlife, with far fewer crowds than Etosha. The plateau and some 405 sq km around it were declared a nature reserve in 1972. Because its top is hard to reach from below, endangered species were moved here in the early 1970s to protect them from predators and poaching. The programme succeeded so well that Waterberg now supplies other parks with rare animals. Black rhinos were reintroduced in 1989. Most visitors start from the Bernabe de la Bat rest camp at the entrance, where short forest trails lead towards the foot of the red cliff. A steep path climbs among boulders to the rim, looking over endless woodland. You may meet baboons, while the plateau top itself is usually visited only with a guide. It is about 73 km in a straight line from Otjiwarongo, and Wikipedia gives 68 km. You need a car, and the last stretch is gravel. May to September is the best time. Bring water and sturdy shoes, as the climb is steep in places, start in the morning before the heat, and keep away from baboons and do not feed them.
A long wall above the forest.
A climb to a wide view.
Short trails and a camp.
South-east of Otjiwarongo, central Namibia
You can walk to the rim on a short steep path, while the top itself is usually visited with a guide.
Yes. It makes a good stop between Windhoek and Etosha.