Waterberg Plateau, Table mountain and national monument in Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia.
The Waterberg Plateau is a large table mountain in Otjozondjupa Region that rises sharply from the Kalahari plains with a flat top and steep surrounding cliffs. The landscape features reddish sandstone rock faces and deep canyons carved by water, creating different habitats for plants and animals.
The plateau was the site of a military confrontation in 1904 between German colonial forces and the Herero people, which deeply changed Namibian history. This event marked a turning point in settlement and power dynamics across the region.
The San people left rock engravings on the cliffs that still show their way of life and spiritual connection to the land. These carvings depict hunting scenes, animals, and ritual practices that reveal how early inhabitants lived here.
The plateau can be explored on marked hiking trails that offer different difficulty levels and various viewpoints. It is best to hike in early morning to benefit from cooler weather and capture the best light for photography.
The rocks here contain layers much older than most known rock formations on Earth and show fossilized tracks from creatures that lived in a very distant time period. These traces offer a glimpse into the biological diversity of an ancient geological era.
Location: Otjozondjupa Region
Elevation above the sea: 1,885 m
GPS coordinates: -20.28400,17.64950
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Namibia offers travelers a diverse landscape of natural wonders and historical landmarks that span vast desert plains, dramatic canyons, and protected wildlife reserves. The country's attractions range from Etosha National Park, where large herds gather at waterholes across more than 8,500 square miles (22,000 square kilometers) of protected land, to the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei rising 1,000 feet (300 meters) above white salt pans. Fish River Canyon cuts 100 miles (160 kilometers) through the southern landscape, while along the Atlantic coast, the Skeleton Coast preserves the remains of ships lost in foggy waters and hosts thriving seal colonies. Rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, created by San peoples over 6,000 years ago, document ancient wildlife and spiritual practices through more than 2,500 carvings in red sandstone. The Namib Desert, one of Earth's oldest arid regions, supports specialized wildlife and plant species that have adapted to extreme conditions over millions of years. Conservation areas like Okonjima protect cheetahs and leopards through research and rehabilitation programs, while coastal wetlands at Pelican Point and Sandwich Harbour provide feeding grounds for flamingos, pelicans, and thousands of Cape fur seals. The collection also includes Kolmanskop, a German colonial diamond mining settlement from 1908 that now stands abandoned as sand dunes gradually reclaim its buildings. These destinations demonstrate how human history, geological forces, and resilient ecosystems have shaped this southwestern African nation into a compelling destination for nature and culture enthusiasts.
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