Reviews of Hobatere Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
77 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Hobatere Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Hobatere Lodge review"
We did self-drive into Etosha, so the only activity we did from Hobatere was the night drive during which we had reasonable sightings of the nocturnal animals.
Staff were all friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
"Hobatere Lodge review"
"best place for widlife at your doorstep"
Hunting pride of lions making a kill. Other lionesses with cubs Although somewhat on basic side - not refurbished lately -really liked this lodge, staff great and come from local community." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
"Hobatere Lodge review"
Night game drive was excellent with Genet, White faced owl etc + lions at a waterhole" See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Hobatere Lodge review"
The rooms are tired (i got locked in the bathroom and had to be released from my indignity) but they are clean and the beds comfortable. There are good wildlife sightings we had three different lion sightings, elephants up close and there are good game sightings and you are very close to Galton Gate.
I would definitely go back." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
"Hobatere Lodge review"
The best water hole action of our trip... We did a night drive and got very close to a pride of lions which was exciting." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Hobatere Lodge and game drive"
I did wonder if there should have been bars or canvas on the side of the vehicle as we saw on some other vehicles to give us more protection from the lions?" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Great night drive. "
The pool is lovely and just as cold as all the others and the main building's setting, over the water holes is fantastic.
Our favourite was the night drive seeing a lioness eating a zebra followed by seeing all the much smaller wildlife esp the Spring Hares, which were a real surprise.
Great guides working really hard for us." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
"Fab waterhole, great problem solving"
Food was ok, desserts typically a let down.
Management were very good Janet and Liberty sorted out local niggles, as well as organising the removal of punctured tyre and the replacement thereof.
Too many people trying to hard sell activities, which in the end we had no time consider because we spent 4 hours getting a new tyre. Also we had sufficient Namibian massage travelling from Palmwag." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Hobatere Lodge review"
Rooms were sub-standard and not attractive to look at - very basic old lodge look and feel and landscaping non-existent. Dead flies on one bed, mosquito nets that don't meet so weren't effective, very small and basic bathrooms. The pool was dirty/had a slimy bottom.
We were unlucky in that we visited after heavy rain but on one afternoon drive and one night drive in the Hobatere reserve we saw only antelope, owls and a chameleon. Overall the only big game we saw in two days in the reserve was one giraffe. There was no game at all at the waterhole ever. We got the feeling that there isn't that much in the park - the waterholes at Dolomite and Okakeujo on the same days had plenty of animals. I am being a little unfair since the lodge is near hills (where the animals can hide) and the Etosha lodges are nearer larger plains, but if you go to for safari, this is a big factor to consider.
It is a long way into the proper bit of Western Etosha where you start to see animals from the lodge. It is 30 minutes to the Galton Gate and then about an hour 15 minutes to Dolomite Camp - so well over an hour until you begin to see any game at all. We spent lunch/afternoon at Dolomite Camp and the location/pool/food/service were much better than Hobatere - it has a much more luxurious feel/decor despite being NWR run. If you are choosing between the two I would go to Dolomite (although we didn't see the rooms) especially given you are right in the centre of Etosha and can start to game view immediately upon leaving the lodge." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
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