Waterberg Plateau Park

A 1-night stop-over which was good, but may have more to offer

I spent 1 night at Waterberg Plateau Park, as part of a guided birding and wildlife watching tour of Namibia. To be honest we really only stayed here because it broke the journey from Etosha National Park back to Windhoek nicely. Also because of the limited time we had, we only scratched the surface of what the Park had to offer. For example we didn't have time to join one of the organised game drives on the plateau itself, which I understood is stocked with various animal species, including game that is scarce elsewhere in Namibia. However we still managed to find some memorable wildlife encounters.
The well-watered grass just in front of the chalets attracts some extremely tame wildlife, including the unbelievably cute Damara Dik-dik - a small species of antelope. Equally close when we arrived but a lot less cute were Warthog and Chacma Baboon. The Baboons in particular have a reputation for mischief, so my advice would be to keep your wits about you when they are about.
The park also yielded some excellent bird sightings, with a resident pair of Verreaux's (Black) Eagle on the impressive cliffs, and when we visited (at the end of the dry season), there were good numbers of sunbirds, weavers and the magnificent African Paradise Flycatchers. We were also entertained by a raucous gang of Green Wood-Hoopoes, plus Purple Rollers, Hornbills, Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and many other species.
The park is situated at the base of some impressive red sandstone cliffs which dominate the landscape, and mark the edge of the plateau itself. At the time of our visit the arrival of the first rain showers had brought an emergence of butterflies, which made a real spectacle.
The accommodation chalets are situated some distance from the other facilities, which means a bit of a walk to the restaurant, which is not so much fun in the rain or at night. However if you are camping, then the campsite is more centrally sited. The chalet I stayed in was clean and perfectly acceptable, and the bed was comfortable, but don't expect any frills here. The bathroom was basic but functional and everything worked.
The service at the restaurant was typically laid back (i.e. slow) and the quality of the food was okay.
As with many of the other rest camps run by the NWR, allow plenty of time for checking out on your day of departure.

The namibian green area.

It's just a place that you don't expect, specially if you come from Sossusvlei or Etosha (very dry areas). The park has stunning views and is full of green, something that you miss in the country. Is a very recomendable alternative place to make a couple of nights during your road trip. Wildlife is not the most spectacular thing, even though you will see mongoose, baboons, warthogs, dick dick, hyrax, giraffe and if you're lucky rhinos, eland or roan antelope.

Worth the detour. The view from the top of the plateau is stunning. Though the entry is not well shown.

Not for safaris but great places..

Beautiful plateau and beautiful views. Wildlife is unremarkable though one can see quite a lot.

Rhinos and Hippos at Wabi Lodge

We stayed at Wabi Lodge. Their website contains a lot of useful information about the region and its progressive shift from game to eco tourism and wildlife conservation. Rooms are large and nicely furnished, with some reminders of the game period. (Cold) swimming.pool, good meals.
Safari with a very friendly and interesting local black chauffeur and guide, one of our very few constacts with black people in Namibia. He brings some food for the rhinos at the water hole, where we have a close encounter with a family of rhinos and two hippos, the only we saw in Namibia.