WATERBERG PLATEAU, NAMIBIA
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife
habitats of the Waterberg Plateau in Namibia
To
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Plateau, Namibia, click here >>> |
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Emerging
suddenly out of a uniform scrubland is a 600ft
(200m) gigantic orange rock with sheer sides
and a flat top. It is what remains of the sandstone
casing which once covered large portions of
Namibia, and which has formed numerous other
peculiar peaks in this region. Glowing gold
in late afternoon sun, the Waterberg
Plateau looks too tempting to drive
past.
It
is sometimes referred to as the 'Lost Eden'
because once up there, the animals of this
lush tableland have no way down. It is as
though time has stood still. It seems almost
possible that a dinosaur could emerge from
this unusual place, after all they once roamed
the area and left a prehistoric legacy of
several three-toed footprints not far from
Waterberg.
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This
vast scrubland does not seem worth fighting
over but nevertheless, it was the scene of a
terrible massacre of the Herero people by German
colonists in 1904. Almost the entire Herero
community was decimated and a graveyard within
the Waterberg Plateau Park is a poignant reminder
of the dead. At this time, Herero women under
the influence of German missionaries were considered
inappropriately dressed, and were trussed up
in Victorian clothes from neck to ankle, including
petticoats and a wide bonnet, in temperatures
reaching 104°F (40°C). The Herero women
subsequently adopted this garb as their traditional
costume and wear it with great aloofness and
pride in the nearby town of Otjiwarongo.
In
the shadow of the Waterberg plateau is a restful
public resort with camp sites, chalets and cottages
with impressive views over the surrounding savannah.
Inside the resort you can go walking by yourself
on marked paths leading around the plateau and
up to the very edge, where you should not proceed
without a guide. The plateau itself can be explored
on a Nature Conservation guided game-viewing
vehicle, and although the animals are secretive,
you get the sense that you are being watched
- probably by a leopard. |
ANIMALS
& BIRDS
Leopard,
buffalo, giraffe, blue wildebeest and the exquisitely
coloured and horned roan and sable antelope
are amongst the animals living atop this magnificent
brick-red sandstone edifice. White and black
rhino are well protected up here, as is a rare
breeding colony of Cape vultures.
More
than 200 bird species have been recorded in
the park with seven of them endemic to Namibia,
including Ruppell's parrots chattering in the
trees around the camping area. There are also
plenty of raptors with various eagles, buzzards
and falcons. |
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SEASONS
Rainy Season: about 85% of
the region's average annual rainfall of 20inches
(500mm) falls between November and March. These
are the summer months with temperatures reaching
104°F (40°C)
Dry Season: April to October
is generally dry with very pleasant daytime
temperatures but cold enough at night to send
the barometer below freezing.
WATERBERG
SPECIALITIES
· Walking around and
up to the plateau's edge
· Standing beneath trees
full of chattering Ruppell's parrots
· Game driving atop
the plateau
· Swimming in the divine
pool of the resort on the slopes of the plateau
· Watching the colours
of the plateau turn golden in afternoon sun
· Imbibing the clean
clear air
FACTS
You can only access the plateau with a Nature
Conservation guide either on foot or by vehicle.
Accommodation at the resort must be booked in
advance and there are private lodges nearby.
This is a low-risk malarial area.
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