Hobatere Lodge is a homely lodge in a private concession on the western side of Etosha. What sets it apart from countless similar lodges in the area is the wilderness experience presented with infectious passion by lodge owner, Steve Braine.  Steve is one of Namibia's foremost birders and Hobatere is recognised as the best birding area in Namibia with 11 of the 16 endemics to be found inside the concession. The mopane savannah also has good numbers of plains game including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, eland, giraffe and Hartmann's zebra, springbok, nocturnal predators, and several raptors.

Back home at Hobatere, Louise looks after the details with an eagle's eye for detail and the effortless grace of one who has been running a lodge since 1990. The 12 rooms are individual chalets spread a comfortable distance from each other; each with an en suite bathroom and private balcony. The main lodge has a pool, bar, dining area, lounge, and open-air boma for al fresco dinners by the fire.

Hobatere Lodge: walking safaris with a walking encyclopedia

Not content with knowing all there is to know about birds in Namibia, Steve has added butterflies to impressive cranium of knowledge. But these are just two areas of considerable expertise; a broad passion for the natural world makes Steve an exceptional safari guide. He has passed his knowledge on to the locally recruited guides who also take you on walking safaris, game drives, and night drives through this 32,000ha private concession.