Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs VanZylrus from UK

Hobatere Lodge has recently undergone refurbishments and tell us that this is the first complaint about any of the rooms being small and gloomy. They comment that whilst this may be the case when compared with other lodges visited by these travellers earlier in their trip, in Botswana and Namibia, they don’t feel that this is entirely fair as many of their earlier destinations were more costly lodges.

Perhaps we, at Expert Africa, should have gone to greater lengths to flag up to our travellers to expect smaller rooms at Hobatere than at their previous lodges – and emphasise how different this lodge is from the previous ones in their itinerary.

Similarly, Hobatere wanted us to make the valuable point that the ‘rules’ of a game drive in Namibia are very different from those in a private wildlife reserves in Botswana. The latter restrict the number of visitors into their private wilderness reserves but then charge much, much more to cover the operational costs. When relatively few visitors come into an area of wilderness it is possible for guides to ‘off-road’ for a closer look at something of interest. Namibia’s drier climate and even more arid landscape mean that the ecosystem more fragile there – and ‘off-read driving’, for example, is often not done for ecological reasons

Hobatere Lodge commented that they are always willing to help where they can, or to explain why if they can’t. However, they can only do this if the guests voice their concerns to the staff immediately. The mosquito nets in the rooms are new, but get used daily and inevitably they do get holes from wear and tear.

The game drive vehicle mentioned seats 16 with the idea that this allows plenty of space for photographic opportunities. Had the guests requested a smaller vehicle then Hobatere says that this could have been discussed and arranged.

Hobatere also comments that their guides are all local guides who have had no formal education and often don’t have long term experience in imparting their knowledge as a teacher might. They are trained in house and this is an ongoing process. The guides know a lot about their surrounding environment and its flora and fauna so should any guest need more information about any aspect, then all they need to do is ask the guide the relevant questions. The guides enjoy having questions thrown at them; this inevitably leads to further dialogue. Should the guide not be able to expand then the lodge staff would be able to help once guests are back at the lodge. Having said that, Steve Braine of Hobatere says that he has taken note of the comments and plans to apply this to ongoing training.

Hobatere notes that there appears to have been some confusion over who the lodge managers were. Although Steve Braine and his wife own Hobatere, they employ managers to help them. The lady who showed these guests to their room was the manageress. Steve is often available to meet guests himself. However, on this occasion he had just returned from Windhoek where his wife had just undergone an operation and was taking a little time out with her.

Sam of Sam’s Giardino was dismayed to hear that these travellers did not enjoy their stay at the guest house. He was surprised to hear that they had not slept well during their stay and comments that the double beds are 200x153cm with a Sealy posturpedic mattress and made up with good quality white linen cotton percale sheets imported from South Africa. Should guests prefer separate beds it is possible to request a twin-bedded room for a stay at Sam’s Giardino. It is also possible for guests to request a change of rooms during their stay if they are not completely satisfied with the room allocated to them.

Sam is sorry that the guests found the room dark. Since receiving this feedback, the plants outside the window have been cut back creating more light.

Sam explains that newly arrived guests are greeted at reception and checked in. They are then guided to their room and shown the facilities on offer at the guesthouse. After settling in, the guests are invited to the bar where they are offered a map of Swakopmund and can discuss the attractions, activities and restaurants available to them. It is also possible to enjoy a 5-course dinner at the guesthouse. The reason dinner reservations must be made by 5pm is because the chef only cooks with fresh produce and the quantity available is arranged according to the demand.

Sam apologises to these guests and says he is sorry that they felt they didn’t receive a welcoming arrival nor the proper attention they should be offered. As the guests noted, Sam trains his own staff and so quality of service is even more important to him. Expert Africa is sure that this feedback will only serve to help Sam ensure friendly and professional service for future guests.