Waterberg Plateau Park was established in 1972 as a sanctuary for rare and endangered species, such as white rhinoceros, tsessebi, buffalo and eland. This a great park for bird enthusiasts in particular and the area lends itself splendidly to walking.
Waterberg Plateau Park lies on an impressive sandstone plateau that is 50 kilometres in length and 200 metres high. A number of rare and endangered species have been reintroduced here, such as roan and sable antelope, and black and white rhinoceros, and the park is also home to buffalo, leopards, cheetahs and no less than 200 different types of birds.
Otjiwarongo lies halfway between Windhoek and Etosha National Park. In Herero, the name means 'pleasant place' or 'place where fat cattle graze'. Otjiwarongo is an agricultural area that has benefited from the railway between Swakopmund and the copper mines at Otavi in the north. There is also a good art market near to the station, where different types of wood carvings are sold.
The Africat Foundation is using its resources to protect cheetahs and other felines in Otijwarongo. It is a very deserving place to visit. At a farm close to Otjiwarongo can also view the fossil remains of animal footprints, including those of dinosaurs. These fossilised footprints are more than 200 million year old.
