Travelling to a place specifically to experience the night sky and celestial events, such as stargazing, seeing a solar eclipse, or seeing the Aurora borealis (Northern lights) for those in areas near the North Pole, such as Scandinavia, Greenland, Alaska, Canada, and Russia, or the Aurora australis (Southern lights) for those in and around the southern hemisphere, is known as astrotourism. The term is a combination of the words astronomy and tourism.
Arch Rock, Spitzkoppe. © Mikkel Beiter
The ideal places to view these celestial occurrences are those with low levels of light pollution, and having access to telescopes or observatories enhances the experience.
Namibia provides visitors with an unrivalled chance to see some of the planet's most magnificent astronomical spectacles. In addition to its famous dunes and varied fauna, the country's night sky offer strong incentives to visit this African treasure.
Deadvlei. © Mikkel Beiter
One of the greatest locations in the world to view the stars is the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which is well known for its extraordinarily dark sky. Africa's sole designated Dark-Sky Reserve is located in Namibia. Asteroid belts, orbiting moons, nebula, planets, the Milky Way, the big and small Magellanic Clouds (satellite galaxies), and several constellations, including the Southern Cross, may all be seen here.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has named the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the biggest private nature reserves in the country, a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve. According to Dr. George Tucker, a retired American professor of physics who recognised the NamibRand as a possible Dark Sky Reserve and oversaw the certification process, "this tier level is used to identify reserves with nighttime environments that have little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light."
Dark Sky at Namibrand. © Dr George Tucker
Numerous lodges in Namibia are embracing astro-tourism by including observatories, stargazing decks, and expert-led astronomy courses in their packages. The Namib Dune Star Camp and Desert Whisper (for those who want luxury tourism) by Gondwana Collection Namibia, are important sites in the Namib Desert.
Desert Whisper in the Namib Desert. Gondwana Collection Namibia
There are nine cabins in the Namib Dune Star Camp, and they are rather far apart. Every cabin features a spacious bedroom, a terrace and an ensuite bathroom. To enjoy the stars of the show, the rooms have a double bed that can be rolled out for a night beneath the southern sky!
Inspired by the organic shapes, materials, and colours found in nature, Desert Whisper is a modern, opulent desert pod that you might not want to leave. This location, which is a part of the Gondwana Collection's Secret Collection, offers an absolutely unique experience!
Canyon Lodge. © Mikkel Beiter
Namibia provides an unmatched celestial experience, whether you're an astrophotographer looking for the ideal Milky Way snapshot or a tourist looking to connect with the cosmos on a deeper level. As astrotourism is growing, Namibia's celestial playground is waiting for anyone looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience. Bring your telescope, have your camera set, and get ready to see the cosmos like never before.
Dark Sky at Namibrand. © Dr George Tucker
Author: Eva-Rakel Johannes