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Drive 30 minutes east of Namibia's Windhoek International and you'll find yourself deep in the country's savanna landscapes – the setting for the 900-square-kilometre Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê (established by the Belgian hotel group and a local conservation foundation), and its new Omaanda lodge. This slice of wilderness wards off city sprawl to provide an important refuge for wildlife like leopard and giraffe, warthog, antelope, ostrich and jackal, and also surrounds the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary, an intermediary reserve for injured or abandoned rhinos and elephants. Commendable ethics and attractive modern design make Zannier Omaanda a no-brainer.
From $250 person/night
What the lodge calls its pièce de résistance - a four-course gastronomic indulgence with three choices of entrée, made from the freshest of locally-cultivated ingredients. Wow!
Experience conservation in action as you track elephant and rhino with researchers who aim to reintegrate these injured, orphaned and endangered animals into the bush. The Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary is an intermediary sanctuary for injured or abandoned rhinos and elephants, funded by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
The location. Whilst it’s close to Windhoek airport, you may be disappointed with a one night stay, but it’s also not necessarily a safari destination in its own right. Zannier is perhaps more a place to relax and recharge – with wildlife an added bonus!
Built to resemble a traditional Ovambo village, complete with a surrounding wooden fence, Zannier Omaanda Lodge combines local inspiration with five-star comforts. The thatched lounge and dining area are open-sided to frame the tranquil views, and the meals are indescribably rewarding – don't overdo it, there's more to come! The interiors lead out to an attractive wraparound deck area, with clusters of seating for chats and scenery gazing, and a heated pool (yes, Namibia's pools are unexpectedly chilly mid-year!).
Ten circular huts, built like those of the villagers, with thatched roof and mud walls, are in all other respects extremely modern and plush. The curved walls and tall windows offer broad views from both the lounge and bedroom. There's an intra-room fireplace and a movie-star en-suite bathroom with a double basin, walk-in shower (its swing doors activate the lighting), and deep bath. Eight huts sleep two guests; two have two bedrooms with private bathrooms and an interleading lounge.
Zannier Omaanda is a game reserve in the making, with good conservation ideals, a sensitive approach to introducing wildlife, and an emphasis on sustainable tourism. Rhino and elephant rehabilitation is an important part of their vision. See the reserve's animals on a game drive, or track rhino or cheetah on foot. Spend a morning with meerkats (alternately endearing and startlingly aggressive). There's a handful of solitary leopards (no lions). All activities come at an extra cost.