Hobas Lodge: Our full report

Opened in 2017, Hobas Lodge lies at the Hobas gateway to the eastern side of Namibia’s iconic Fish River ...

... Canyon, within the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park. It shares a sprawling site with a restaurant that’s open to the public and a long-established campsite.

/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park spans the Orange River, which forms the border of South Africa and Namibia, and features spectacular mountain and desert scenery. It also protects one of the highlights of southern Namibia, the Fish River Canyon, which is arguably the largest canyon in Africa and the second-largest in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States.

The new Hobas Lodge sits at the entrance to the eastern side of the canyon, well known for its self-drive viewpoints. There has long been a campsite in this area, whose 14 pitches are well used, often by those embarking on the self-supported 90km Fish River Canyon hiking trail. Now, however, Namibian Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has built six en-suite “bush chalets” to form the lodge, as well as updating the restaurant and the pool area.

The six chalets are individual and of a box-shaped stone constriction with heavy, flat black roofs, they are quite municipal in appearance. Inside they are simple in design, each focused on an exposed stone feature wall behind double or twin beds flanked by bedside tables. The moderately sized, open-plan rooms feel a little over-furnished, though you do have quite a few choices of where to sit: a low sofa, which can double as a bed for small children, a couple of chairs and a stool in front of the desk.

In the bathroom area, his and hers basins are backed by multi-coloured tiles, with separate rooms for the shower and toilet giving some privacy. Squeezed between the bedroom and bathroom is a small kitchenette with a sink, tea- and coffee-making equipment and an under-counter fridge.

As you might expect from a newly built room, everything was in good condition and clean when we last visited in April 2018. That said, the chalets did feel quite hot and the single standing fan may not be enough to cool the rooms during the warmer months.

The Quiver Taste restaurant and the pool area cater to those staying in the chalets, campers and day visitors just passing through. The restaurant is housed in quite a vast building, where the presence of stainless-steel industrial-style catering equipment makes it feel more like a canteen than a welcoming eatery. On the plus side, it is all under shade and there is a well-stocked central bar. There is no shade for the small pool, though, and while it did look very inviting, its proximity to the car park detracts from the appeal slightly. Completing the picture is a small shop in the reception area that stocks just a few essentials.

Our view

The change of focus at Hobas, from a campsite (used primarily by those adventurous enough to take on the lengthy Fish River Canyon hike) to a more general lodge, may take some time. It could perhaps be a good choice for those wanting to get to the canyon viewpoints as early as possible, with minimal travel, but we are struggling to see why the new lodge would be preferable to more established properties just a short drive away.

Tom Morris

Country manager: Namibia

Geographics

Location: Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: 1-2 nights.
Directions: Hobas Lodge is located near the Hobas entrance of the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and the main Fish River Canyon viewpoints.
Accessible by: Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Bed & Breakfast
Food quality: We did not have a chance to sample the food on our last visit in April 2018, but we would expect it to be a similar buffet-style fair to other NWR properties in Namibia.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Room service is not possible.
Drinks included: Drinks are at an extra charge, to be paid at the lodge

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome at Hobas Lodge.
Property’s age restrictions: None
Special activities & services: There are no specific activities here for children, but the lodge does have a small swimming pool.
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: There is little to keep children occupied here and because of the movement of people and vehicles through the area we do not think it is suitable for younger children.
Notes: Children must be kept under parental supervision at all times – the pool is unfenced and unguarded.

Communications

Power supply notes: The site is powered by a generator which runs from 6.00am to midday and then 5–10.00pm, so there is no power from midday to 5.00pm.
Communications: No WiFi, limited cellphone reception.
TV & radio: None
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: All bathrooms have hot running water and flush toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: No
Medical care: The nearest doctor is in Keetmanshoop, but in an emergency guests would be flown to Windhoek.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Fire safety: There is a fire extinguishers outside each chalet and in the main area.

Activities

Self-guided walking

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Laundry service is not possible
Accepted payment on location: You can pay for meals, drinks and other extras in Namibian dollars or South Africa rand cash. Travellers' cheques in South African rand are also accepted and you can use both Visa and Mastercard.