After the first stay and evening in Windhoek at the stunning Am Weinberg, the group hit the road and made their way up to Hobatere Lodge. The lodge is situated on the western side of Etosha National Park, approximately 550 km north of Windhoek, and the perfect way to showcase the vastness and size of our beautiful Namibia.

“The standout image I have of my visit to Namibia is a feeling: a sublime and potentially contradictory combination of elation and extreme calm. I think this comes from the rare sense of isolation in mind-blowingly beautiful and extreme landscapes. In some places, you can feel like you (and your little crew) are the only people in the world – even that time is standing still. I’ve been to Namibia a few times and had that feeling every time. It’s a feeling I don’t think I’ve experienced anywhere else.” – Elizabeth Sleith, Sunday Times

While Hobatere Lodge could be considered a mini Etosha with its 24-hour game viewing opportunity overlooking a waterhole, it is also 100% community owned by the ≠Khoadi-//Hôas Conservancy. In addition, Hobatere Lodge is home to the Hobatere Lion Pride, which together with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) creates a safe haven for the lions.

Visiting Hobatere Lodge, the group took part in a night drive to experience this area under the evening sky. Focusing on the nocturnal animals, birdlife and insects, it was clear to see that all species have their own purpose in the ecosystem.

After a hearty bush breakfast at Hobatere Lodge, the group continued to Grootberg Lodge, which also forms part of the ≠Khoadi-//Hôas Conservancy. Grootberg Lodge is unique in every way, being perched on the rim of the Etendeka Plateau with endless views over the Klip River valley. As the first mid-market establishment in the country that is 100% owned by a conservancy, it is a landmark in the Namibian tourism industry.

“Grootberg Lodge – the layout, the beautiful rooms, that incredible infinity pool and the kind, attentive staff. It really is a little slice of heaven.” – Brent Lindeque, Good Things Guy

12 000 hectares have been set aside by the ≠Khoadi-//Hôas community for conservation and tourism. It is in this pristine wilderness that guests can explore either on foot or by car to encounter some of Namibia’s iconic wildlife species, including the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino. While the group visited the lodge, they were introduced to the community, got to spend the day searching for the elusive desert-adapted elephants and took part in very important chats with our guide, Bob, about human-wildlife conflict. Over the last seven years, droughts have tremendously affected the northwest of Namibia, the people of the area had to adapt and with that have encountered new challenges in order to survive. As have the animals in the area. Human- wildlife conflict is not a new term, yet it is one that moves to the forefront, especially in times like these, where tourism has fallen away in many parts of the country and farmers are dependent on their livestock or crops.

“Sustainable tourism, particularly in Africa, whose main selling point is the natural resources of wildlife and ‘untouched’ landscapes, is non-negotiable. The terms ‘sustainability’ and ‘responsible tourism’ have been gaining traction for a while now and it’s clear they will become even more important in a post-pandemic world. The best assets of Namibia are those parts that are completely natural and untouched and the preservation of these spaces is in part enabled and encouraged through the funding that tourism provides. This is the main appeal of the word ‘sustainable’ to me. Most notably, the value of involving communities is the persuading of the people who live on the land to protect these assets for the long term, rather than sell them out for short-term gains. I do think, however, that it is a term easily used and I have seen many instances of hotels and lodges overtly claiming ‘sustainability’ credentials while blatantly committing environmental/social crimes (not, however, in Namibia). I hope that in general more and more tourism providers will put their money where their mouth is and not simply use ‘sustainability’ as a buzzword with little actual action to back it up.” – Elizabeth Sleith, Sunday Times