Omaanda

The eight 1-Bedroom Huts are built in traditional Namibian style, with rounded corners and hand-finished thatched roofs. The design is simple und understated; the deep, warm colours are evocative of the earth, sand and natural environment. The interior decoration is composed of rare objects and precious antiques from African culture. These huts are spacious (60 sqm interior) and boast a private 20 sqm terrace with magnificent views overlooking the nearby ‘dam’ (small lake) and the distant hills of the Khomas Hochland plateau. The bedroom is fitted with a king-sized double bed which is convertible into twin beds, a desk, an armchair and a large walk-in dressing room.

There is an open fireplace shared by the bedroom and the bathroom. The bedrooms are equipped with flat screen TV, Sound Bar with Bluetooth Connectivity and Wi-Fi. The huts also offer a minibar, a laptop-size safe, a Nespresso machine and an electric kettle. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. With a walk-in rain shower, separate WC, double vanity and a large bathtub with stunning views, the bathrooms are spacious and comfortable. Guests will feel completely at home in this wonderful location in the middle of the Savannah.

The 2-Bedroom Huts were designed with families or small groups in mind and there are two available at the property. They promise ultra-modern comfort while maintaining the authentic Namibian style of design and architecture. Warmth and strength of colour, original pieces of furniture and decoration, every detail is a reminder of the richness of African culture. A roof of thatch, hand-finished by local craftsmen, perfectly completes these rooms of traditional circular design. The spacious huts (120 sqm) open onto a 26 sqm terrace and are an ideal place for a quiet retreat while watching stunning sunsets or the wild animals roaming on the veld nearby.

Each bedroom has its own bathroom and they share a cosy living area with a large fireplace. The bedrooms are fitted with a king-sized double bed which is convertible into twin beds, a desk, an armchair and a large walk-in dressing room. Each bedroom is equipped with a flat screen TV, a Sound Bar with Bluetooth Connectivity and Wi-Fi. They also offer a minibar, a laptop-size safe, a Nespresso machine and an electric kettle. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. With a walk-in rain shower, separate WC, double vanity and a large bathtub with stunning views, the bathrooms are spacious and comfortable.

The restaurant at Omaanda overlooks the infinity pool and the beautiful landscape surrounding Omaanda. In its centre, a fireplace provides warmth on colder mornings and evenings. Omaanda promises an array of local flavours and tastes, using the freshest local ingredients. Breakfast is served a la carte from 6.30am – 10.30am. For lunch a creative mezze menu is offered from 12noon – 4pm. A 3-course menu offering various choices including fish and vegetarian options, started with an amuse bouche, is served every evening between 7.30 – 8.30pm.

Experienced guides will take guests with the well-equipped open game drive vehicles around the pristine 9,000-hectare reserve, showcasing some of the most incredible wildlife in Africa. Early drives at sunrise are ideal to observe the Namibian plains waking up, while evening drives reveal the elusive beauty of the nocturnal savannah. All of the safaris are conducted in state-of-the-art Land Cruisers, each accommodating a maximum of six guests. During the game driving guests are likely to see a great variety of wildlife including rhinos, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, black-backed jackals, warthogs, various antelopes (kudu, red hartebeest, steenbok, reedbuck, waterbuck, oryx, springbok) and many types of birds. Drinks and snacks are provided.

Lead by the Head Guide of the reserve, guests can enjoy the luxury of a very personal experience and get close to Africa’s most incredible animals. The guide’s exceptional skills and knowledge will make this tour a unique experience. Drinks and snacks to guest’s individual taste will further enhance the experience on a culinary level.

Guests get to spend an afternoon with a ranger and tracker in search of rhinos. Rhino tracking offers a great opportunity to learn about the habits and characteristics of this threatened species, the issue of rhino poaching, and on-going conservation efforts. From 2-6 people, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided.

Guests can go on an amazing elephant safari. An encounter with these iconic African animals will teach guests about how intelligent and compassionate they actually are. Besides being a magnificent opportunity to explore nature, guests will also learn much about the issues surrounding elephants’ conservation. From 2-6 people, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided.

Whether they are hidden in the bush waiting for a prey or comfortably basking in the sun, leopards are extraordinary wild animals. Guests will have the opportunity to track these majestic felines on the Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê, appreciate their wonder and gain true knowledge of their characteristics. From 2-6 people above 16 years old, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided.

Guests can spend the sunrise with meerkats, these incredible early-risers creatures, and witness how they go about their morning routine – basking in the sun and foraging for food. You will be amazed by the cuteness and ingenuity of these extremely social animals. Living in groups, these omnivore mammals follow a well-organized matriarchal structure. Meerkats hunt together, and regularly rotate duties (such as babysitting) to different members of the colony. From 2-6 people, mostly on foot, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided.

The Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê is home to the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary, a valuable centre caring for rhinos or elephants that have been injured or orphaned in poaching incidents. Enter this wildlife animal clinic managed by the N/a’an ku sê Foundation and discover the incredible work of passionate vets who are rescuing and taking care of endangered animals. From 2-6 people, children welcome, on foot, duration 1.5 – 2 hours, daily at 10 and at 14:00 hours.

The lodge supports the local community in many ways. 95% of the staff are from Namibia and the wages are at least 30% higher than the average local salary. All the staff is trained in the area and the guides at the lodge collaborate with the San tribe to share their local knowledge about flora and fauna. All of the artwork and gifts displayed in the boutique all come from Namibia and benefit the Zannier Reserve, sustaining responsible tourism. All staff uniform has also been made in accordance to Namibian patterns in Windhoek, as a cultural tribute to the area.

Where there was a presence of cement dams, they have been modified to be deeper and have a reduced surface area and in regards to on-site replantation, only endemic vegetation has been used. The lodge has also avoided removing plants during construction as much as possible.

Several excursions at the lodge and that are offered by Zannier Hotels Omaanda are designed to showcase Namibia’s beauty in all its glory. Guests can spot wild animals and also learn about the property’s conservation projects in place.

The property prioritises buying local and purchased their fruit and vegetables at a cooperative based in Windhoek. Deliveries are organised three times a week and the property also has their own beehives within the lodge. South African wines are mainly served as well as some very decent Namibian wines. Local farming is also prioritised and the lodge has partnered with bio-farmers from the region for their dairy, meat and herbs.

Only natural fabrics have been used in the guest rooms such as cotton, hessian and gunny. Preference has also been given to hypoallergenic materials opposed to any synthetic materials. Raw materials were also prioritised during the property’s construction as was the use of local techniques. The property and its many guest huts blend naturally into the environment, not obstructing the views of the natural area. Bath amenities are all created without the use of any parabens and spa amenities at the lodge come from local plants in Namibia.

The lodge has a non-intrusive policy in place and animals and vegetables come first within the reserve, before humans. The aim of the reserve itself is to not only preserve the existing flora and fauna but to also reintroduce animals into the wild habitat. The lodge also has a partnership in place to protect local endangered species and a large anti-poaching unit has been created, with experienced rangers that are on guard to ensure that no poachers can access or penetrate the reserve. This is a 24 hour presence to protect the wildlife.

The use of plastic is avoided at the property and there is recycling and waste sorting at every level of the property

To ensure that the natural water source is not contaminated, the property only uses biodegradable detergents to avoid any water pollution. All water that is provided to guests are provided by ‘Oasis Natural Mineral Water’, which supports the NGO ‘Rhino for Erongo’ and supports the protection of endangered animals. The lodge also benefits from the capital water connection and has a water treatment facility in place.

The lodge uses a combination of solar power (70%) and the electricity from the city network (30%) to reduce their carbon footprint. Alternative energy sources such as waterpower and wind are used to activate the lodge’s generators and thermostats are used for heating or cooling. LED bulbs are used to reduce energy consumptions and all of the electric furniture that is used is A++.