Wilderness Safaris Namibia has received official environmental clearance for its planned high-end lodge in the Hobatere Roadside Concession, located in the Kunene Region, marking a significant step in the project’s development.
Documents reviewed by The Brief confirm that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has granted the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC), a key requirement for the construction and operation of the lodge.
The development forms part of a broader conservation and sustainable tourism initiative within the Ehi-Rovipuka Conservancy.
The project includes a 10-room lodge with seven twin rooms and three family units, a swimming pool, a wildlife viewing hide, a research centre, and staff accommodation for approximately 38 employees. A staff village will also be built to support long-term operations.
The lodge is planned under a 25-year Concession Operator Contract with the Ehi-Rovipuka Conservancy. As part of this arrangement, Wilderness Safaris will upgrade the existing Hobatere Roadside Campsite and transfer the improved facilities to the Conservancy for independent management.
Guest activities will include game drives, nature walks, wellness sessions and visits to wildlife hides. Permission has also been secured to build a second hide at Miernes, within Etosha National Park, offering visitors additional wildlife experiences.
A private access road with safety and toilet facilities will be constructed to meet MEFT standards.
Initial plans had anticipated construction starting in September 2024, with the lodge opening in 2025.
However, Wilderness Safaris has clarified that while the ECC is in place, final construction schedules are still under internal review.
“We can’t wait to share further details with you, but it’s still very much in a discussion phase, and we haven’t finalised the information pertaining to your queries,” said Joryn Barnard, Head of Sales Namibia for Wilderness Safaris.
To power the lodge and its facilities sustainably, the company intends to install a photovoltaic (PV) solar plant with storage. “The onsite PV plant will have a minimum capacity of 500 kV, with all cabling buried underground to minimise visual impact. In case of power failure, there will be a battery backup and a silent generator. A private contractor will manage the PV plant, ensuring that we maintain our commitment to sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint,” the company explained.
Wilderness Safaris has operated in Namibia for more than 35 years and currently manages seven luxury lodges in partnership with five local conservancies. The group is known for its focus on responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
“Our long-standing commitment to responsible tourism reflects in our approach to community engagement and environmental conservation,” a project report noted.
The company also highlighted its strong client base in key international markets.
“Key source markets are from the USA, Canada, Western Europe and to a lesser extent Asia, Eastern Europe and South America, with a preference for the high end of the tourism market which includes upmarket amenities and treatment and a unique holiday experience,” the document added.
Located on the quieter western side of Etosha National Park, the Hobatere site offers visitors a more remote and exclusive experience, expected to attract new tourists without directly competing with existing luxury lodges in the region.
Wilderness Safaris is a conservation-focused tourism company and in Namibia, it operates seven luxury lodges in partnership with five local conservancies.
