Wetlands are vital ecosystems that regulate water, store carbon and support biodiversity, but they are highly vulnerable to climate variability and human pressures. In semi-arid South Africa, montane wetlands remain understudied despite their ecological and socioeconomic importance. The study analyzed 1996-2023 climate variability and vegetation response across the Waterberg Mountain Complex (WMC) using station temperature/precipitation, Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI), 6-month wet-season Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and site-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 11 wetlands. Maximum temperatures increased at all stations, led by Warmbath (0.009 degrees C/month). No statistically significant changes in minimum temperature were detected. Precipitation trajectories diverged, Mokopane exhibited a statistically significant wetting trend whereas Lephalale and Marken experienced progressive drying. ENSO-driven droughts (2002/2003, 2015/2016 and 2019/2020) intensified hydroclimatic stress and shortened wetland hydroperiods. NDVI trends revealed strong coupling with rainfall variability, with high-altitude wetlands demonstrating greater resilience, while lowland systems declined in greenness. These findings highlight topography as a determinant of wetland vulnerability, positioning upland wetlands as potential climate refugia. Site-specific adaptation and conservation strategies are essential to safeguard ecosystem services and biodiversity, contributing to global sustainability goals (SDGs 6, 13 and 15).