Otjiwarongo in the Herero language means, "A place where the
grazing is good and the cattle grow fat." and it was close to here,
at the Waterberg (Otjozondjupa), that the Herero Chief Kambazembi
was seated. The Waterberg also became the theatre for the final
battle of the Herero Uprising
of 1904. Following the defeat and scattering of the Herero as a
nation, the German settlers came and developed the vast cattle and later game
ranches that the town acts as a business and service centre for. It
makes for a pleasant stay-over and is close to the Waterberg Plateau Park and Resort.
Often referred to as being the Cheetah Capital of the world, as it
is claimed that about 20% of the world's Cheetah Population live
near to Otjiwarongo, roaming the Cheetah Reserves and game farms.
The town has some interesting old German buildings and has a
crocodile ranch that is popular with tourists.
