The name Waterberg refers to the fact that the mountains in the area serve as water reservoirs for the arid region. The area has been inhabited over hundreds of thousand years and is also one of the most important San Rock Art areas in South Africa. The Waterberg region incorporates many rivers, streams and swamps as well as about 75 mammal species. These include big game such as elephant, lion, white and black rhino, hippo, leopard and buffalo. African python and the Nile crocodile are also resident. Small wonder the area is known as one of the country's premier wildlife areas. The Waterberg is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with more than 300 bird species to be spotted. Although best known for its game and nature reserves, the area is also rich in minerals such as iron, coal, tin, platinum, zinc, titanium and vanadium and crops like tobacco, groundnuts, maize, grain sorghum, sunflower seeds, wheat, cotton, citrus fruit and rice are grown here.

The exceptional abundance of wildlife species, together with the mosaic of scenic landscape and the fascinating cultural heritage, has led to many nature-based tourism destinations that can be explored.