About This Property
Zannier Hotels Sonop is unlike anything else in Africa. Set among towering granite boulders in the Namib Desert near Sossusvlei, this extraordinary camp channels the elegance of a 1920s British colonial expedition — but with every modern luxury imaginable.
Ten canvas tents are perched on stilts between the boulders, connected by raised wooden walkways and suspended bridges that wind through the rocky landscape. The effect is otherworldly — part desert mirage, part movie set, part fever dream. Each tent is furnished with campaign-style furniture: leather trunks, brass fixtures, four-poster beds with flowing canopies, and freestanding clawfoot bathtubs positioned to gaze out over the endless desert.
The attention to detail is staggering. Guests dress for dinner (yes, in the desert), cocktails are served in crystal glasses on silver trays, and the library tent contains vintage maps and leather-bound journals. It's theatrical, it's extravagant, and it's utterly unforgettable.
Beyond the camp, the Namib Desert delivers its own drama. Guided excursions to Sossusvlei's towering red dunes, Deadvlei's ghostly camel thorn trees, and the Sesriem Canyon offer landscapes that feel prehistoric in their scale and beauty.
Why We Love It
Sonop is the most audacious glamping concept we've encountered anywhere. The idea of placing a 1920s colonial camp among Namibia's ancient granite boulders sounds absurd on paper — and somehow it works brilliantly.
Walking the suspended bridges between tents as the sun sets over the desert, cocktail in hand, with the rocks glowing orange and the silence of the Namib pressing in from all sides — it's a moment that stays with you permanently. The dressing-for-dinner tradition, which could easily feel forced, instead creates a wonderful sense of occasion.
This isn't the right property for everyone. It's for people who appreciate the theatrical, the unexpected, and the beautifully absurd. If that's you, Sonop will be the highlight of your African journey.
Rooms & Details
Luxury Tents (10):
Canvas tents on raised wooden platforms connected by suspended walkways. Four-poster beds with flowing canopies, vintage campaign-style furniture, freestanding clawfoot bathtub, separate rain shower, private deck among the boulders, writing desk, and leather campaign trunk for storage.
Split-Level Suite (1):
The most dramatic accommodation — a two-level tent perched on the highest boulders with panoramic desert views, private plunge pool, and dedicated butler service.
Amenities & Features
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation 45+ days before arrival. Progressive charges apply within 45 days.
Rates
Prices start from $800 per night. Final pricing depends on season, room type, and availability. Check current rates on our booking partner's site for the most accurate pricing.
Full-board with house drinks included. Dress code for dinner (smart casual minimum). Children 8+ welcome. The camp is not accessible for wheelchair users due to the boulder landscape and suspended walkways.
What's Included
- Full breakfast
- Picnic lunch for excursions
- Afternoon tea and pastries
- Multi-course dinner (dress code)
- House wines and spirits
- Soft drinks and juices
- Guided Sossusvlei and Deadvlei excursions
- Sunrise and sunset nature walks
- Stargazing with resident astronomer
- Scenic sundowner drives
- Spa treatments among the boulders
- E-bike desert rides
- Hot air ballooning (seasonal, additional cost)
Full board including house drinks, daily excursions, guided walks, stargazing, and laundry. Spa treatments, balloon flights, and premium champagnes are additional.
Location
How to Get There
Most guests fly from Windhoek to the Sossusvlei airstrip (scheduled or charter, approximately 1 hour) where the lodge arranges a transfer. Self-drive from Windhoek is approximately 4.5 hours via the B1 and C19 — a scenic journey through increasingly dramatic desert landscapes.
Nearby Attractions
Sossusvlei red dunes (38 km), Deadvlei (40 km), Sesriem Canyon (35 km), Dune 45 (classic sunrise dune), Namib-Naukluft National Park, NamibRand Nature Reserve
Things to Do
Sossusvlei: The lodge arranges early-morning excursions to climb the iconic red dunes and explore the surreal white clay pan of Deadvlei with its 900-year-old dead camel thorn trees.
Stargazing: The Namib has some of the darkest skies on earth. The camp's astronomer leads evening sessions with a high-powered telescope.
Nature walks: Guided walks through the boulder landscape reveal a surprising ecosystem — desert-adapted creatures, ancient lichens, and geological formations billions of years old.
Spa: Treatments are offered in a tent nestled among the boulders — an extraordinary setting for a massage.
Photography: The light in the Namib is legendary. Dawn and dusk transform the landscape into a painter's palette of oranges, pinks, and deep blues.
Good to Know
Climate: The Namib is a desert — days are hot (30-40°C in summer) and nights can be cold (near freezing in winter). Pack layers.
Dress code: Smart casual for dinner is expected. The colonial theme is part of the experience.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi available in the main tent. Signal can be intermittent.
Accessibility: The camp involves walkways, steps, and suspended bridges. Not suitable for guests with mobility challenges.
Tipping: Gratuities are appreciated but not obligatory. A tip box is available.
Who It's For
Design lovers, photographers, couples seeking a unique romantic experience, and travellers who appreciate the unconventional. Not for those seeking a traditional safari — this is about landscape, design, and desert immersion.
Best Time to Visit
April–October (cooler, clearer skies, best light for photography). June–August can be cold at night but offer the most dramatic stargazing. Summer (November–March) is very hot but green after rains.
