28/07/2020
This morning we have been inundated with calls and “well-wish” messages from our loyal guests and supporters, which clearly indicates that we need to clarify the situation: we are not re-opening Erongo Wilderness Lodge. We have thus been made aware of a notice that a new entity will be opening on the premises from which we used to operate our business.
As per our previous communication on 19 May 2020:
'It is with great regret that we have to advise that our lease on Erongo Wilderness Lodge has been terminated, with immediate effect. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, with the resulting closure of international borders and the local lockdown, we have obviously not been able to welcome any guests to our lodge for the past couple of months. Unfortunately, we have also been unable to come to a satisfactory arrangement with our landlord to provide any relief on our lease payments and to confirm the terms of our lease extension , and thus it is with a heavy heart that we have agreed to part ways.
Erongo Wilderness Lodge was our first love; our very first property. It is a magical place, and extremely special to us, and for over 19 years we have been privileged to share this land and this beautiful lodge with others.
From our early and humble beginnings back in 2001 and through every incredibly rewarding year since, we have been blessed to have so many amazing people work and grow with us, building the lodge up to what it is now. The Erongo team is a special group of people, many of whom we have worked with for over 17 years, and we will miss them all as they now start the next chapter in their lives.
To all the wonderful guests who have passed through Erongo Wilderness Lodge, we thank you for being a part of our journey, and hope that you will carry those special memories with you. We look forward to the day when the world is a safer place for the travellers and the seekers, and we can share our new Namibian venue with you.
And of course, a special thank you to all the Tour Operators who have supported us over the many years. Erongo Wilderness Lodge could not have been the success it was without you. Special relationships have been formed, and your support and loyalty has often been the backbone of our business.
So while it is with great sadness that we now must move on, we are grateful to advise that we will be moving our business from Erongo Wilderness Lodge just 35kms down the road, to our new love-child: Ai Aiba Lodge. Recently renovated, and situated in the same spectacular scenery of the Erongo mountains, but boasting over 200 sites of Bushman rock art, Ai Aiba The Rock Painting Lodge is open and ready to welcome you. With the same focus on walking trails, and plans underway to develop a network of mountain bike trails suited to all skills-level, Ai Aiba is a family-friendly destination for those seeking some adventure as well as for those just needing an escape into nature. The Big Sky Lodges ethos of service and quality remains unchanged.'
We hope that you will all be able to visit us at Ai Aiba The Rock Painting Lodge, to experience this magical property in the Erongo Mountains for yourselves. And during these crazy times that we are all going through, remember to Be Safe and to Be Kind.
Photo: Happy memories of Erongo Wilderness Lodge
