The magic of the desert

While the landscape transforms with magnificent colour, intensity, and texture as the sun rises, you depart the camp on an immersive journey of desert discovery. Pausing regularly, breathing in what appears to be complete solitude and silence, only to hear the elusive yet definite flurry of life which surrounds you. Noticing the persistent beautiful chirping of the evasive Barking Gecko’s as they signal their territories and feeling the kiss of the refreshing desert air, as you move again effortlessly in the comfort atop one of Sonop’s bespoke Land Cruisers. Every arm and head rested bucket seat is primely located to drink in the panoramic vista of the expansive desert landscape. A secure, dustproof stowage cabinet is conveniently located in between the seats ensuring that your photographic and optical gear is safe, dust-free, and conveniently close.

This desert safari is all about the subtleties and wonder that surround us; witness the transformation of light and shadow within everything your eyes rest upon; witness the stirring and activity which the new day brings to the many sociable weaver colonies in and around their seemingly chaotic jumbled hay-stack nests; witness the prehistoric-looking quiver trees, silhouetted against the bluest of morning skies. Listen as your expert guide unravels the intricate and fascinating stories, as he reveals the wondrous tapestry of life that this ecosystem supports.

Our guides will invite and entice you out of the vehicle to walk with them as they reveal to you the life of the beetles and insects or show you some long-forgotten cave within a chaotic jumble of granite boulders, littered with the tools and life-supporting implements left behind for our wonder by the ancient San Bushmen. Harmony, balance, and tranquillity are key states of being that you will discover during this two and a half hour inspiring journey which is included within your daily rate at Zannier Sonop.

Your participation in this activity for the following day will be asked at dinner.

As the warm, sultry late afternoon begins its transformation in intensity and temperature, you depart Zannier Sonop atop one of our bespoke Land Cruisers. Every arm and head rested bucket seat is primely located to drink in the panoramic vista of the expansive, unique desert landscape. A secure, dustproof stowage cabinet is conveniently located in between the seats ensuring that your photographic and optical gear is safe, dustfree and close.

Our sunset nature drive has been created to perfectly immerse you in the reawakening of infinite micro (and some macro) lifeforms, after their midday siesta. Our expert guides will demonstrate examples of careful yet ingenious energy-saving methods employed by some desert-dwelling perfectly-adapted inhabitants, leaving you with a glimpse into the colourful layer of understanding which makes a fragile ecosystem such as this so special and expertly evolved. Pausing often, alighting from your macro view seat onto the desert floor, you will experience a beetle-eye-view, enabling your full faculty of senses to create within you the deep understanding of what it means to successfully survive in a harsh environment such as this.

Stopping the vehicle at a carefully selected point as the shadows extend and envelope the watercolour-patchwork of the desert plains, you celebrate another passing day as it enters the night, rewarded by sipping on a dew-cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc or maybe a masterfully curated gin and tonic, whilst you eagerly await for the sun to kiss the horizon and the first of the celestial stars to appear.

Return to camp after this two-and-a-half-hour journey which is included within your nightly stay at Sonop, feeling rejuvenated and enlightened just a little more as to the wonderful world which we inhabit.

Your participation in this activity for the following day will be asked at dinner.

As you embark on this unique riding experience, you soon realise that you are at one with the desert, interwoven intricately within the network of living and non-living elements that make up this vast landscape.

Your horse, carefully chosen for its even temperament and suitability to the terrain, expertly led by your horse guide, take you from our state-of-the-art stables on one of our bespoke trails. Ascend the ridge of a red sand dune and walk its ridge, feeling the cool breeze in your face whilst you become one within the grand desert vista. Pause in wonder as the light and sun changes the patterns and colours of the plain below. Disembark your horse as your guide prepares and hands you a steaming cup of freshly-filtered single-origin aromatic African coffee, which helps you find your centre within this place, the most ancient desert in the World. Having refreshed both body and soul remount and follow your guide descending the dune, homeward bound into the ancient river course, interspersed with desert hardened ancient Acacia Erilobas, some festooned with the World’s largest avian dwellings – the communal nests of the sociable weavers.

Return to camp after this thirty minutes desert safari, having become just a little more decompressed and a little closer to your place within the Universe.

Your participation on this activity for the following day will be asked at dinner.

Invigorating, immersive, energising and rewarding are just a few adjectives that come to mind when describing this distinctive desert activity. Depart Zannier Sonop at any time of your choosing. Fill your water bottle at one of our hydration refill stations (one is located near the e-bike shelter), read our simple, easy to follow e-bike operating instructions, points of advice in the shelter and you are ready to depart, following one of our clearly marked (Sonop) cycling and walking trail routes. Choose the white easy-peasy route… or choose the orange medium exertion level route.

Like normal cycling, just the return is so much greater. Cycling with a turbo attached. We have selected several routes that will lead you outward alongside our fabulous red dune and return you back down the ancient river-course, if you have selected the white route. Alternatively take the more strenuous, longer and technical orange route and return ridge-side bordering the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Why not do another round… Remember: hydrate first and watch out for the sandy patches, maintain loose hands, sit back moving your centre of gravity backwards over your rear wheel, gear down and pedal like crazy…

These e-bike activities are available throughout the day on a first-come-first-served basis. Please kindly return your bike to the stand for the next guests use.

Discover the delicate life-pulse of the desert through the sole of your boot. Nothing draws you closer to your environment and to Mother Earth, than on a walking trail. Your expert guide will demonstrate our many wonderful highlights, some obvious and others less so, educating you as to the many fascinating facets which make up the web of life which surrounds us at Zannier Sonop. Observe the geology and topography transition from one zone to the next, bringing with them their associated ecosystems. Experience the rawness, the ruggedness, the delicate balance in which everything is finely attuned to survival first-hand.

Remember to dress and shoe appropriately and keep well hydrated.

Guided walking trails of a two-hour duration can be arranged for the cooler times of the day, in both the early morning or late afternoon.

Your participation on these activities for the following day will be asked at dinner.

Be transported back to the timeless age of outdoor cinematography whilst you experience a classic movie, carefully selected masterpieces chosen for one purpose: to enthral you. Some in monochromatic, some in vivid technicolour, all wonderful.

Facing the desert immensity, by the pool, enjoy the beauty of outdoor cinema on a large screen (4,5 meters wide). State of the art HD image and surround sound by Bose. Relax, settle down, be transported into a world of desert fantasy, with a box of homemade hot popcorn (salted, buttered or caramelized), all the while within a setting never to be forgotten.

Note that movies can be seen in multiple languages, with or without subtitles.

The outdoor cinema will operate every second evening near the pool, weather conditions permitting. Management will advise you the details of the next showing.

Enhance both your physical and mental strength and flexibility with our group yoga session. Follow the lead of our specialised yoga instructor and relief your anxiety or tensions. Routines are designed with the novice in mind, to ensure broad base participation and appeal. Connect with your inner-state as you move through several poses, feeling the light, warmth and freedom of the desert become synonymous with your being.

This forty-five minute Group Yoga Activity will be held on demand, usually near the pool either before the breaking of the new day at sunrise or at the end of the afternoon at sunset.

Bookings are essential and can be made with the Reception.

After a leisurely wake-up, depart camp with your guide on an informative journey following a desert track, hemmed between an ancient riverbed on the left and a long red-sand yellow-grass dune on your right. After watching the microlife shake themselves awake with the warming sun, your guide will stop the vehicle and show you the way as you ascend the dune to the top. Turn a full sweep at the apex of the dune in awe, as you drink in an elevated and unimpeded 360° panoramic view of the desert plains, dune and mountains beyond.

Amble a little while further, being exposed to and immersed in the dune ecosystem, which differs from that of the plains… and then, perfectly yet discretely placed with crisply starched linens, napery, silverware and crystal glassware under the bough of an age-gnarled desert Camelthorn Acacia, your breakfast setting awaits you. Your moment has arrived where you are instantly transported back in time to an era of romance, of discovery, where a little danger heightens your senses and the exhilaration of knowing that you are probably the first humans to have stepped onto this vast tract of land.

Your personal Chef awaits to prepare a range of fare, ‘à la minute’, that would befit an aristocratic luxury 1920 safari. No breakfast of this nature would be complete without freshly squeezed orange juice and a bottle of Champagne. A uniquely desert gastronomic experience.

Please book this activity with the Reception before noon the day before. Our Chef will meet you during the day of booking to discuss the menu and to suggest some wonderful menu and Champagne options. Departure from Zannier Sonop is at seven thirty in the morning.