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4.5
#6 of 14 lodges in Etosha National Park
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Hobatere Lodge is strategically located 65 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of the Etosha National Park. The lodge has an airstrip and is situated in a concession area of 8,808 ha which is home to a wide selection of game, including elephant, giraffe, eland and Hartmann's zebra.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Charming
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans
Location
C35 near Galton Gate, Etosha National Park Namibia
Hobatere Lodge
311 reviews
311Reviews5Q+A11Room tips
Reviews
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This is a great setting not far from the Galton gate to the western part of Etosha NP. We had fantastic game drives and wildlife (elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions) was often spotted right from our dining tables. The rooms were fairly clean but hot at night. The windows were small and even though they had screens, did not allow for a good cross breeze so the rooms stayed hot throughout the night even with the ceiling fan. A floor/window fan would have been most welcome here as it did get cool outside during the night. The beds were very firm and only had duvets with no sheet so it was sort of all or nothing. The food was very good with variable sized portions. We enjoyed staying here and using it as a base to explore the much less visited western part of Etosha NP.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A hidden gem. Wonderful lodge in the middle of Hobatere Concession with their own waterhole. We saw absolutely loads of birds and animals up close just sitting with a drink overlooking the waterhole. Our chalet also had a private terrace (as do all of them) looking into the bush. The sundown tour was perfect as our informative guide knew exactly where to find the lions. We saw a kill and the mother with 2 babies (about 4 months), followed by drinks and snacks at sunset. Dinner (vegetarian) was excellent with very generous portions- it's a set menu so make sure you tell them on check-in if you want vegetarian. They do have (limited) WiFi but it often goes down and you may need cash to pay in this event, so be aware. The access road is tricky and only for 4x4 (we found a 2-wheel drive stuck as we went in); if you break down you shouldn't leave your car. The lodge is quiet and we were the only guests that week, so service is excellent.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:all rooms will be good
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 26 Oct 2022
Thank you for taking the time to write a review on your stay with us. We are pleased to learn that you were able to see the lions. Our lodge slogan is 'become one of the pride'. We hope you can stay with us again soon. Our road will receive some work in the near future. Thank you again for your compliments, we will pass on your review to the lodge.
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Thank you COVID for giving us the opportunity to visit Hobatere where we were surrounded round the clock by a large herd of elephants, zebra, oryx, giraffe and impala who had free roam of the lodge thanks to the lack of tourists. We arrived at 4pm and for the next six hours had a full on show, replete with trumpeting and all kinds of noise. We did a lovely game drive with Tobias, searching for the lions that live on the 36,000 hectare concession. As if the wildlife was not good enough we had Colin! What can I say. We were treated like royalty from beginning to end. Such a lovely and charming host and a wonderful chef. We ate perfectly seasoned beef filet the first night followed by a suspiciously name vinegar cake that did not live up to its name and was simply delicious. The second evening Colin delivered up fantabulous spring rolls, the most tender chicken ever and Nutella filled cupcakes. Two nights and 5 kilos later we left Hobatere blissful, calm and well fed. Tooms are comfortable but not exceptional but we weren’t there for the decor. Thank you Colin for a wonderful stay!
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hobatere Lodge came highly recommended but unfortunately we were very disappointed with our stay. The Lodge is in great need of maintenence the rooms shabby, dirty sheets, bathrooms not cleaned properly. Our kids room had dead bugs under the bed which showed us that rooms had not been properly cleaned for a while. The game drive we booked was a disappointment not only because we saw next to nothing but also because the guide clearly was just driving his round and not paying any attention to the surroundings. The staff were friendly but not overly motivated and had not much clue of the activities going on in the lodge. I could go on but we were glad that we only had one night booked at this lodge. I would definitely not come back here again.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 23 May 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review us . We regret having to learn of your less than satisfactory experience on your stay at Hobatere Lodge. We take note of your concerns and constructive criticism. We undertake to investigate every point raised regarding clean rooms and sheets and we will implement measures to ensure improvement in the areas found wanting. We thank you again for your critique and points highlighted to focus on for future guest experiences. We hope we will be able to host you again at any of the Journeys Namibia properties.
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I will admit to having stayed at Hobatere several time under the previous ownership but will attempt to be totally objective in this subsequent review under the new regime. From the start booking was straightforward but was surprised that my card guaranteeing the reservation was charged immediately with the full amount. Even Agents don't do that. We went with an open mind but it was apparent from entering the concession gate that maintenance was needed. OK. The rains had damaged the track but overall it is not as driveable as it once was. Reception was fine, and check in progressed smoothly. We were offered game drives etc., but as we are habituated to self drive we were shocked and surprised to be told this was no longer allowed. So our daylight drives were restricted to the 16km of access track. On previous visits we had enjoyed using the hide some 900 metres from the lodge, accessed by vehicle for safety, and were further disappointed to learn that it was no longer in use. More disappointment ensued when we learned the smaller observation hide attached to the lodge grounds was no longer frequented by wildlife due to wildlife avoiding it because of the new lapa building being too close. On the brighter side our Rondavel was as we remembered it but with the old 'wildwest saloon' half doors now replaced with full size doors which sadly did not fit properly and needed urgent attention by a carpenter. But apart from that we liked the comfort and cosiness of the Rondavel. Meals, drinking and socialising were to be done in the new Lapa and we had no issues with the delicious meals offered each evening. Overall wildlife viewing was disappointing even allowing for us being there in the green season. As forecast we saw little from the walk up hide, not even birds, apart from two elephants in the distance. We did see more after dark on the two night drives we undertook but again not as much as before. I cannot see us returning here unless and until there is evidence of more enlightened management and improvements to the infrastructure.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 11 Apr 2022
Thank you for taking the time to review us. Hobatere Lodge forms part of the #Khoadi//Hoas conservancy, the area is sensitive and wild. Due to this, self drives are not permitted. We take the overall experience and service provided to our guests very seriously. Special, additional attention will be given to the areas of concern you have brought to our attention. We hope you will afford us the opportunity to host you again at one of the Journeys Namibia Lodges in future.
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We stayed here for 3 nights, having originally booked for 2020 then 2021. Our last night should have been in the tree house but due to weather damage it wasn't available. We were informed of this a few weeks before we left the UK and that we would have to move to another room from the rondavel we were booked into. When we checked in we said that if possible we would prefer to stay in the same rondavel for the 3 nights but the receptionist said that we would have to move. We had to vacate our rondavel and then wait for the other room to be serviced before we could move our belongings. OK, these things happen but what was frustrating was that the lodge was fairly empty that night and as far as we could see our original rondavel remained empty. It has left us with a somewhat different view of Hobatere overall.
The rondavel was great, quiet, clean and comfortable. The room we were moved to had rooms either side and we could hear other guests.
The food was very good, we really enjoyed it. Staff were super friendly and welcoming. We went on a night drive which was ok, not the best but fine enough. We did drive ourselves to the gate and back during the day and sighted a few animals, I too would have liked to explore a bit more like a previous reviewer stated was possible in years gone by.
So overall, we loved some aspects of Hobatere but felt let down by others.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 5 Aug 2022
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We are very pleased that you have some good experiences with us but we also take note of your concerns. We will investigate the points mentioned and hopefully prevent the same issue with future guests.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a lovely 2 nights stay here. The food was amazing, the best we had in the whole of our 6 week trip to Namibia. The lodge is in a good location for visiting the western side of Etosha NP, but you can also do a guided game drive in their private concession. We did the night drive, which was really good. The only slight negative is that the walls of the rooms are very thin and you can hear everything in the next room. Next time we will stay in one of the individual rondavels.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 15 Nov 2022
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We will share your comments with our staff. Our chef will be delighted.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed 2 nights in one of the rondavels. It was small, but beautifully decorated and private. My only complaint is that the shower water was cold. The lodge is pleasant, with the nice-sized pool, and hide to sit at and watch the game come for their evening drink at the waterhole below. The staff were very nice and made us feel welcome, and we saw lots of small animals on the night drive. The entrance is conveniently close to Etosha, and the lodge provided a delicious packed lunch on the day we spent watching game there. The entire experience here, with few other guests, was peaceful.
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 31 May 2023
Thank you for your review, we will investigate the faulty shower. We will pass on your comments to the lodge.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
"Little Etosha", a great place to simply sit on the terrace and see Elephants, lions, Impala, Giraffes, Zebra and and and. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, the dinner is simply very good to excellent. The rooms need a touch-up, the tiny tiny bathrooms a full renovation (the showers in the bungalow are only usable for slim people)
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Date of stay: August 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 1 Sept 2021
Thank you Ernst38 for taking the time to review us. We will definitely pass on your compliments to the staff. Thank you for your critique and points highlighted to focus on for future guest experiences.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a lovely time here. The lodge in genuinely community owned with friendly staff, most of whom are local. The food and guiding was good. It was a good break from the east of the park which was busy and impersonal. Whilst game was less dense the good guiding, waterhole and genuine experience made up for it. They also allow young kids on game drives which is great (many don't). Not much to do in middle of day so bring books etc.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Anica Britz, Marketing at Hobatere Lodge
Responded 13 Aug 2022
Thank you Alextrainseverywhere for taking the time to review us. We are very pleased that the kids could enjoy the game drives too. Hope you caught up on some reading while with us, with the waterhole and birds as a backdrop.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yes the road is open for anyone.
But remember, it is a gravel road and the park rules apply. I would suggest you start your trip early morning, no later than 09h00.
Hi,
Thank you for considering Hobatere lodge as one of your destinations.
Yes, you can drive to Etoshas west gate from Hobatere.
Unfortunately we do not have air-conditioning in the rooms at this moment.
There are more places to choose from in the Etosha National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
£167 - £183 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
NamibiaOshikoto RegionEtosha National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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