STARGAZING: A LIST OF THE TOP SPOTS TO LOOK AT THE STARS

The daily grind can get to the best of us. Yes, working in a busy city or having a demanding career can get to us and drain us, not only mentally but emotionally and physically as well. Therefore, we suggest a bit of stargazing. 

Can you remember the last time you saw a sky full of stars without the city lights interrupting this spectacular natural marvel? Just imagine listening to the pure beauty of nature and looking up the dark canvas covered in tiny stars – hmm, we sure can. 

In this blog, we are encouraging you to pack up your camping gear and head out to the sticks to enjoy some stargazing. We will be highlighting unusual locations to camp out and gaze at the stars. This will give you an inside look at the raw beauty of nature – away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A LIST OF THE TOP SPOTS TO STARGAZE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Sutherland, Northern Cape

If you are interested in looking up at the stars in the most famous spot in South Africa, then pack up the car and head down to Sutherland in the Northern Cape. This site is home of the South African Large Telescope (SALT) – which happens to be the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. 

This location is remote, high in altitude and has a flat cloudless landscape making it the ideal place for stargazing. If you are considering heading down to the Sutherland in the winter, pack warm clothes as the winters can be pretty bad over there. Be sure to book in advance!

The Cederberg, Western Cape

We know that Cape Town is known for its fast passed living and vast city landscapes. However, there is an opportunity to do some stargazing just two hours outside the city. Cederberg is home to the Astronomical Observatory which lies high in the Cederberg Mountains. It is privately-owned but is open to the public for a few hours on Saturday evenings, however not on a full moon as this makes stargazing difficult. If you would like to know more about the universe out there, you can enjoy a slideshow that will introduce to the marvel of the night sky. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself and your adventure partner to the idea of stargazing.

Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind

If you are in the Johannesburg area and you are keen to look at some stars, then just an hour outside the city is the Cradle of Humankind. According to the resident astronomer, Vincent Nettman, the cradle of humankind is the ideal stargazing location in the Gauteng area. It is the perfect distance away from the light pollution produced by the big city. Thus making this stargazing location highly rewarding as seeing the stars is nearly impossible to view when in the city of Johannesburg.

If you have visited any of these spots to do stargazing, we would like to see your spectacular photographs. Just tag us on social media and share your story. We would love to hear and share it. So, don’t forget to pack your Merrell’s, your binoculars and your warm gear and enjoy the mystical wonder of stargazing.