Getting to the Waterberg Plateau

From Windhoek (340km, 4 hours)

Route: B1 north → Otjiwarongo (260km; 3 hours) → D2512 east → Waterberg Plateau Park gate (65km from Otjiwarongo; 45 minutes on gravel)

The B1 from Windhoek to Otjiwarongo is good tar throughout; the standard Namibia highway. The D2512 from Otjiwarongo to the park gate is gravel; well-maintained and passable by 2WD in dry conditions. The final section approaches the escarpment through thornbush; the plateau is visible from approximately 10km before the gate.

From Etosha (Anderson Gate, 320km, 3.5 hours)

Route: B1 south from Etosha Anderson Gate → Otjiwarongo → D2512 east → Waterberg

The Waterberg is the natural first or last stop on an Etosha circuit approaching from Windhoek. The detour from the B1 at Otjiwarongo adds 130km (65km each way); most visitors consider this worthwhile given the specific wildlife the Waterberg adds to the Etosha programme.

Fuel and Supplies

Otjiwarongo has fuel and a supermarket; provision from there. The Bernabé de la Bat rest camp has a small shop with basic supplies but is not a provisioning point. Fuel is not available inside the park.

Vehicle

2WD is adequate for the main park roads and the D2512 approach in dry conditions. A 4×4 is not required for standard Waterberg visits; useful if exploring further afield or if the gravel road has deteriorated after rain.