Experience Astrotourism: Top Safari Lodges Under African Skies

In many safari destinations, limited light pollution and wide open landscapes create excellent conditions for viewing the night sky. As interest in astro tourism continues to grow, several safari and wilderness lodges across Southern Africa are either offering guided stargazing activities or preserving natural darkness that allows guests to enjoy clear views of stars, planets and the Milky Way. These lodges add an after dark dimension to the experience without taking away from daytime wildlife activities. !Xaus Lodge, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape Located deep within one of the darkest regions in Southern Africa, !Xaus Lodge offers excellent visibility of the Milky Way and major constellations throughout the year. The lodge is community owned by the Khomani San and Mier communities, and guests may also learn about traditional star knowledge that links celestial patterns with seasonal changes in the desert. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Northern Cape Tswalu incorporates stargazing into its guided activities, with optional telescope sessions and ranger led discussions about the night sky. The reserve’s remote desert setting and lack of surrounding development ensure minimal light pollution, allowing for consistent viewing conditions across different seasons. Marataba Game Lodges, Waterberg, Limpopo Situated on a high ridge overlooking the plains, Marataba benefits from both altitude and low ambient lighting. Guests can view star clusters and planetary features from outdoor seating areas, with the surrounding cliffs and valleys creating natural wind shelter for evening viewing. Ant’s Nest, Waterberg Biosphere, Limpopo Ant’s Nest focuses on relaxed bush experiences, and its open verandas and garden areas make night sky viewing easily accessible. The Waterberg’s relatively high elevation and dry air support good visibility, even without structured astronomy activities. Thanda Safari Lodge, Zululand, KwaZulu Natal Set within a large private reserve, Thanda’s location away from major towns supports dark sky conditions suitable for casual stargazing. Guests can observe constellations from private decks or communal outdoor areas while listening to nocturnal wildlife in the surrounding bush. Phinda Forest Lodge, KwaZulu Natal Phinda Forest Lodge is located within rare sand forest, which limits wide horizon views but still offers clear sky pockets above the canopy. Elevated walkways and viewing decks allow guests to observe moon phases, brighter stars and passing satellites in a quiet forest setting. Gecko Creek Wilderness Lodge, Cederberg, Western Cape Gecko Creek Wilderness Lodge is positioned deep within the Cederberg mountains and does not offer formal stargazing programmes. However, the lack of artificial lighting and remote location provide strong natural conditions for viewing the Milky Way and major constellations from private decks and campfire areas. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, Cederberg, Western Cape The Cederberg’s mountain climate and low population density create reliable viewing conditions at Bushmans Kloof. Guests can enjoy the night sky from riverbanks, courtyards and outdoor lounges, often with very limited light interference from surrounding areas. Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana Jack’s Camp sits on the edge of expansive salt pans that reflect moonlight and starlight, increasing overall sky visibility. The flat horizon and complete lack of nearby settlements make it one of the strongest locations in the region for wide field stargazing and astrophotography. Wolwedans, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia Wolwedans is located within the NamibRand Nature Reserve, an internationally recognised dark sky area. The combination of desert air, low humidity and open dune landscapes supports excellent long range visibility, making this location suitable for detailed night sky observation and photography. Serra Cafema Camp, Kunene Region, Namibia Serra Cafema is positioned in one of Namibia’s most isolated regions along the Kunene River, far from any urban light sources. The remoteness and clear desert skies provide strong conditions for viewing star fields and the Milky Way across much of the year. The combination of wildlife encounters by day and clear skies by night adds depth to the overall safari experience and supports a slower, more immersive style of travel. Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured. TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter