Waterberg

The Waterberg Plateau, located 70 kilometers east of Otjiwarongo, rises about 200 meters from the surrounding sandy Kalahari Plain. The 20-kilometer-wide and 50-kilometer-long Table Mountain massif consists of porous sandstone. Precipitation seeps through the porous rock and hits a water-impermeable clay layer at the bottom. While it is very dry at the top of the plateau, there is a lot of surface water and strong permanent springs at the foot. The vegetation is lush and green and especially rich in species. Among other things, you can see wild fig trees, fire lilies and coral trees here. The Waterberg traditionally belonged to the settlement area of the Herero people. The Hereros, who once settled here, called the place “The Place of Fat Cows”. This is still confirmed today because some of the best cattle farms are located in the Otjiwarongo area.

Do you want to know the traditional life of the Hereros. In the center of each settlement is the Cattle kraal, a fence made of long wooden sticks. In particular, the kraal protects the herd from night attacks of predators.