National park · Namibia
Waterberg Plateau Park
Enter Waterberg Plateau Park for N$55 per adult, hike the 5 km (3.1 mi) Waterberg Trail in 2–3 h, visit in May–Oct for cooler weather and fewer crowds.Enter Waterberg Plateau Park for N$55 per adult, hike the 3.1 mi (5 km) Waterberg Trail in 2–3 h, visit in May–Oct for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
405 km² (157 sq mi)157 sq mi (405 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- Otjozondjupa ↗Farms are private. Do not drive onto a farm road unless your destination is signposted there; if you open a gate, close it.
- Otjozondjupa ↗Tarred: B-roads and some C-roads. Other C-roads are gravel and fine for a sedan; D-roads and unnumbered tracks can need 4x4, especially in the east. Ask your host about current conditions.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 405 km² (157 sq mi)157 sq mi (405 km²)
- Park covers about 405.5 km² (40,549 ha) according to official data (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Waterberg Plateau Park protects a sandstone plateau with dry woodland, springs and a breeding colony of Cape Vultures, plus reintroduced black rhinos and other rare game; it offers marked trails from the Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp and wildlife‑focused drives.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.
Size and age
405 km² (157 sq mi)157 sq mi (405 km²) · national park since 1972
Park covers about 405.5 km² (40,549 ha) according to official data (check).
Why go
- Walk the sandstone cliffs and dry woodland on well‑marked trails.
- Spot rare wildlife such as black rhinos, sable antelope and Cape vultures.
- Enjoy panoramic views over the plateau’s springs and valleys.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanHot, but trails open.
- FebHot, occasional rain.
- MarHeat eases, early rains.
- AprWarm, dry, good wildlife spotting.
- MayCooler, dry, ideal hiking.
- JunDry, comfortable temperatures.
- JulCool nights, occasional storms.
- AugCool, possible rain.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctDry, warm days.
- NovWarming, occasional showers.
- DecHot, start of summer.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Vultures (breeding colony)May–Oct · Colony active during the dry season. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black rhinocerosAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sable and roan antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| BaboonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Otjiwarongo
Drive 68 km (42 mi) east on B1 then turn onto the park road to the Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp.Drive 42 mi (68 km) east on B1 then turn onto the park road to the Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Windhoek
Drive north on B1 (≈300 km (186 mi)) then follow signs to the park entrance.Drive north on B1 (≈186 mi (300 km)) then follow signs to the park entrance.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Swakopmund
Drive north on B1 (≈260 km (162 mi)) then turn east to the park road.Drive north on B1 (≈162 mi (260 km)) then turn east to the park road.
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp | Main gate, visitor centre, restaurant and trailhead. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Waterberg Trail area | Network of ten marked trails around the plateau. | Open; maps at reception. |
| Waterberg Wilderness Lodge | Lodge just outside the park offering accommodation and guided drives. | Private; reservation required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | NAD 55 | person | Check official fee schedule. |
| Park entry (child under 12) | NAD 25 | person | Check official fee schedule. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NAD 55
- NAD 25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills.
- Feeding wildlife
- Strictly forbidden; may result in fines.
- Off‑road driving
- Only permitted on guided 4×4 tours.
- Camping
- Only at designated campsite near the lodge; wild camping not allowed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Waterberg Wilderness Lodge
Lodge rooms and self‑catering units 8 km (5 mi) from the park gate.Lodge rooms and self‑catering units 5 mi (8 km) from the park gate.
In the park
Bernabe de la Bat Restcamp campground
Basic camping sites with shared facilities.
Safety
Heat medium
Baboons low
Night temperature drop low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Restcamp and main trailheads reachable by car with short walks.
- Trails have uneven ground and steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at the lodge or campgrounds that follow eco‑friendly practices.
- Do not litter; pack out all waste.
- Support park fees that fund wildlife protection.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Waterberg Plateau Park?
Entry is N$55 per adult and N$25 per child (under 12); tickets are bought at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Waterberg Plateau Park?
The 5 km Waterberg Trail loop (2–3 h, moderate) and the longer 12 km Rhino Ridge trek (4–5 h, hard) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Waterberg Plateau Park?
May to October offers cooler temperatures, dry conditions and the best wildlife viewing.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at the designated campground near Bernabe de la Bat; wild camping is prohibited.
Is a guide required for any activities?
A guide is mandatory for the Rhino Ridge trek and any off‑road 4×4 drives.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Waterberg Plateau Park
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