As one of the last destinations on earth somewhat untouched by the modern world, and all of its light pollution, Africa is considered by many to be the best place for stargazing. While not all areas are 100% perfect for this sort of activity, within Africa’s huge expanses of nearly endless remoteness, the continent does still have some of the clearest skies.
For those who have read about stargazing and who are wondering what the big deal is about, this sort of activity actually comes with a few benefits, which go well beyond simply getting to stare at a beautiful sky.
Stargazing is known to reduce stress, it gives you the unique opportunity to reconnect with nature, and it is a great way to learn more about astronomy!
What is Light Pollution?
As the rest of the world becomes more urbanised and built up, street lights and other manmade lights have lit up not only towns, cities and neighbourhoods, but also the skies above them. This ultimately means that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to see stars in places where there are a lot of lights, hence the term “light pollution”.
There are certainly many places outside of Africa where you can stargaze but Africa is famous for having some of the darkest skies, making it the perfect place to go (and besides, along with the excitement of getting to see the Milky Way, African holidays include a myriad of other incredible things to do, like safaris, shark cage diving, dreamy beach escapes and so much more!).
The Best African Stargazing Destinations
African holidays are a uniquely wonderful experience.
The continent is wild and beautiful and it is a place you go when you want to get a little bit lost.
When planning your holiday, you should always keep in mind that some places in Africa are far superior to others when it comes to stargazing.
Although we like to think that Africa is this completely rustic and laidback destination, much of its urban areas are up and coming developments, complete with lights that pollute the sky completely. If it is the clear, star filled heavens you are looking for, you need to venture to a place that is a little off the beaten track.
Namibia
Namibia is hands down one of the best places in Africa to do some stargazing. With around only 2 million people and most of them living in the city of Windhoek, Namibia’s skies are famously unpolluted.
Of all the places in Namibia that you can visit specifically to stargaze, the Namib Desert and its reserves are the ideal place to go.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is internationally recognised for its exceptionally dark skies, making it one of the darkest but easily accessible places on the planet.
For those astronomy enthusiasts out there, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is a dream come true kind of destination.
Unimpeded by light pollution, even the faintest celestial objects like distant nebulae and galaxies become visible to the naked eye, and you will have a front row seat to the Southern Cross constellation, a prominent landmark in the southern hemisphere’s night sky.
South Africa
From the majestic mountains of the Drakensberg to the sun-drenched beaches of Durban, South Africa is the sort of destination that leaves visitors spellbound. However, for stargazers, it’s not the mountains or the beach that they should visit, it’s the Great Karoo.
This semi-arid region, known for its near lack of vegetation and stunningly clear skies, turns into a star filled heaven when night falls.
One of the destinations within the Great Karoo that you should visit for stargazing is the quaint village of Sutherland. Situated at a high altitude and far away from the glare of city lights, Sutherland has some of the darkest skies in the southern hemisphere, making it a prime location to just sit and stare at the universe.
Sutherland also happens to be home to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). This behemoth, the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, allows astronomers the opportunity to peer deeply into the cosmos, enjoying the magnificent sights of distant galaxies and nebulae. Even for casual stargazers, a visit to SALT is a must as you will get a glimpse into the cutting edge of astronomical research and the wonders it reveals.
Botswana
Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is another fantastic place to see the stars.
To get the best views, you need to head into the heart of the Kalahari Desert, where the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park gives stargazers an experience they will never forget. The salt pans, which are remnants of a dried-up, ancient lake, transform when the sun goes down into a celestial wonderland.
With minimal light pollution and an open unobstructed view of the horizon, the night sky explodes with a dazzling display of stars. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, a luminous band pulsating with countless heavenly bodies and stunning constellations unseen in the northern hemisphere.
As you gaze upwards, don’t be too surprised to hear a rustle in the grass. This land, though seemingly desolate, is actually filled with life. Meerkats, those adorable curious and social creatures, may pop out of their burrows, their silhouettes set against the starry backdrop, and springboks, graceful antelopes known for their incredible leaps, might graze nearby, making the whole experience extra special.
The Okavango Delta is another place to do some stargazing, and it is also easily accessible and a wonderful place to explore.
Kenya
In Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, you can combine a safari spent spotting lions and zebras with the awe-inspiring beauty of the night sky.
Lewa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its commitment to responsible tourism and conservation. As such, Lewa has minimal light pollution, making it the ideal destination for stargazers.
Those having a holiday here can look forward to relaxing on their private veranda after an exciting day on safari, gazing upwards at a sky ablaze with stars. Because Lewa is an African safari destination, it is not uncommon to spot wildlife moving around at night, and the whole experience can be made to feel extra special when the moon is full and you hear the distant roar of a lion!
Essential Gear for Stargazing
Unlike packing for a safari, you don’t need much to have an incredible stargazing experience, although it will certainly help if you have some of these tools:
A Red Light Flashlight
To help adjust your eyes and to preserve your night vision so that you can read star maps, a red light flash light can be used. Since we mostly only use our eyes during the day, this specific light helps to keep your pupils dilated so that you can see more as more light will be able to get in. This sort of equipment can come at quite a price so if you are not a regular stargazer either DIY your light or give this equipment a miss.
A Star Chart or Mobile App
Want to feel like an old-timey pirate or sailor out deep in the ocean in the dead of night? Then you need a star chart or the modern equivalent, an app. These nifty things will help you keep track of the night sky, helping you to find the stars you have always wanted to see easily.
Binoculars
This is a natural and essential tool to have on hand. A trusty pair of binoculars will have you easily seeing all the major stars and constellations in a lot more detail than you would with the naked eye.
Comfortable Clothing and Blanket
Although you are stargazing in Africa, you can still expect to get quite cold when you are outdoors at night, away from the warmth of the city and its surroundings. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothes and that you bring along a blanket.
Snacks and Drinks
Finally, you need some snacks for the show. Bring along some food and something to drink, to keep you energised and awake.
Astrophotography Tips
For those who want to capture celestial beauty with their cameras, astrophotography is a hobby worth doing your reading up on.
Here are some basic tips to get you started.
- A sturdy tripod is essential to ensure that the images you take are sharp when using long exposures.
- Manual settings are your friend. Take your time to experiment with a wide aperture (low f-number) to gather as much light as possible and a high ISO to brighten the image, but be mindful of digital noise (too high an ISO will make the image grainy).
- Longer shutter speeds will capture more detail of the stars and Milky Way, but remember to use a shutter release cable to reduce camera shake.
- Try using the “Bulb” mode on your camera (if you have this mode) which allows for exposures as long as you hold down the shutter button.