Most of us that are familiar with Africa have heard of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, but did you know that the country has another side where life thrives with views to kill for? Where unlike the unforgiving desert on the coast, its land is covered in greenery and thriving with life? Head over to the central part of Namibia and you’ll eventually get to Waterberg Plateau Park. There, you’ll find your jaw dropping from its wealth of wildlife, freshwater springs and towering cliffs that is a reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. Read on to find out why you should drop everything and plan your trip to this 156-square mile pristine park. Here are the top reasons you’ll love Waterberg Pleateau Park in Namibia.
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Your hiking adventure is going to be incredible
You’ll get the opportunity to explore ancient sandstone rock formations that are up to 850 million years old. Since the area is so rugged, hikers are encouraged to take one of its nine trails ranging from mild to advanced. Once you get to the top, the view is well worth the victory. Many local game lodges will organize the hikes or drive guests to the designated hiking trails. But for those that are doing the hikes on their own, it’s easy to find the trails as signs will navigate you to the locations.
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See incredible wildlife throughout the park
When hiking your way through the park, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife making itself right at home on the rocks. Look closer in the trees, and you may see weaver birds swinging upside down from their well-made nests. If you’re on the flat portion of the park, you’ll find larger mammals of the animal kingdom such as cheetahs, warthogs, zebras, antelopes, giraffes and the population of rare black rhinos that recently have been reintroduced to the area.
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You can stay overnight
There’s quite a few options where you can stay overnight right in Waterberg Plateau Park. There are several campsites that are animal-proofed where visitors can pitch their tents and sleep under the stars. Or stay at one of the park’s own three lodges for a more comfy stay. The luxury lodges comes with their own perks and amenities like a black rhino safari tour, private patio and hot tub, access to a restaurant and more. Whatever accommodation you go with, you’ll be happy you made the choice to stay longer to soak up more of the area’s stunning beauty.
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You can learn all about its conservation efforts
Waterberg Plateau Park is considered a haven and a protected area for much of its wildlife. There is a cheetah conservation and nearby lodges like the Cheetah Ecolodge teach its guests all about the effort it takes to protect them from poachers. Guests are invited to watch feeding time as well. Another well-known conservation effort are the black rhinos that were relocated there from northern Namibia, making it harder for poachers to hunt them. The park has an excellent track record of helping and increasing the population of once endangered animals. So when you visit the park, you’ll know you’ve arrived at a special place where locals went above and beyond to protect its animals. Also, the area is the only known breeding colony of the rare Cape Vultures.
Courtesy of Jean & Nathalie/Flickr.com
Get your history lesson here
You might come across something you wouldn’t expect in this region — a German cemetery. Waterberg Plateau has a surprisingly rich history with humans. In the early 1900s, it was the site of the Battle of Waterberg, when the German Empire fought the Herero People over the land. Both sides suffered great casualties, but the Herero people were defeated. The reason the land was so highly sought after is because diamonds were discovered in the area. Today, you can see the cemetery left behind the Germans to honor the lives lost during the battle. The earliest residents in the area are believed to be the San People that lived there thousands of years ago. Visitors can admire some of the centuries-old engravings left on rocks by the early people.
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