Astrotourism: A celestial safari

Beyond the science, Namibia’s indigenous communities have long used stars for navigation, storytelling, and spiritual significance. It’s no surprise that what had begun as an emerging niche in tourism quickly evolved into a specialised fan-favourite for visitors globally.

The word ‘Astrotourism’ is a blend of astronomy and tourism and refers to travelling to a location specifically to experience the night sky and celestial events like stargazing, witnessing a solar eclipse, viewing the Aurora borealis (Northern lights) for those located in regions close to 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. These cosmic phenomena are best observed in areas with minimal light pollution and access to telescopes or observatories which makes the experience even more breathtaking.

Namibia offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to witness some of the most incredible celestial displays on Earth. Apart from its iconic dunes and diverse wildlife, the country’s night skies provide compelling reasons to come to this African gem.

The Namib Desert, the world’s oldest desert, in particular, is renowned for its exceptionally dark skies, making it one of the best places globally to observe the cosmos. Namibia is home to Africa’s only official Dark-Sky Reserve. Here, one can observe the Milky Way, the large and small Magellanic Clouds (satellite galaxies), asteroid belts, orbiting moons, nebula, planets and a number of constellations like the Southern Cross.

The NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the country’s largest private nature reserves, has been designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

“This tier level is used to identify reserves with nighttime environments that have little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light,” says Dr George Tucker, a retired professor of physics from the United States, who identified the NamibRand as a potential Dark Sky Reserve and led the certification process.

Several lodges across Namibia are embracing astrotourism, integrating stargazing decks, observatories, and expert-led astronomy sessions into their offerings. Key locations in the Namib Desert location include: Gondwana Collection’s Namib Dune Star Camp and Desert Whisper for the more luxury seeking traveller.

The Namib Dune Star Camp has nine cabins, with a fair distance between them. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom, a large bedroom and a spacious deck. The rooms have a double bed designed to be wheeled out for a night under the southern skies to experience well…the stars of the show!

Inspired by nature’s natural shapes, materials and colours, Desert Whisper is the contemporary and luxury desert home you may never want to leave. Part of Gondwana Collection’s Secret Collection, the experience here is nothing short of exclusivity!

Whether you’re an astrophotographer chasing the perfect Milky Way shot or a traveller seeking a deeper connection with the universe, Namibia offers an unparalleled celestial experience. As astrotourism continues to rise and for those seeking an extraordinary, off-the-beaten-path adventure, Namibia’s cosmic playground awaits. Pack your telescope, ready your camera, and prepare to witness the universe like never before.