Best Experiences for Stargazing on Safari

As the sun sets and the bush falls quiet, the African night sky comes alive. With almost no light pollution, the Milky Way stretches overhead, constellations shine bright, and shooting stars seem to appear every few minutes. Out here, stargazing isn’t just a night-time activity… it’s an experience.

You might:

• Spot Southern Hemisphere constellations you’ve never seen before
• See planets, star clusters, even Saturn’s rings through a telescope
• Simply sit in the silence and stillness of the wild, letting the stars speak for themselves

Whether you’re into astronomy or just enjoy looking up, there’s something so calming – even humbling – about seeing the universe like this.

1. Cultural Stories Written in the Stars

At African Bush Camps, we don’t just show you the stars, we share the stories behind them. Many of our guides grew up hearing traditional legends about the night sky. These aren’t just tales; they’re ways of understanding the world, passed down through generations.

You’ll learn how stars were once used to:

• Predict the rains or mark the changing seasons
• Navigate through vast landscapes
• Tell origin stories and myths rooted in the land

It’s a powerful reminder that stargazing has always been part of human culture and that the sky means something different to everyone.

2. See the Sky in Detail

Many of our Experiences include telescopes, so you can take a closer look at the cosmos. Depending on the night, you might see:

• The moons of Jupiter
• Saturn’s rings
• Nebulae and deep sky objects you can’t spot with the naked eye

And you’ll be doing it all with the sounds of the African night in the background: a lion’s roar in the distance, the call of an owl overhead, the rustle of leaves as wildlife passes by.

Our Top Experiences for Stargazing in Botswana & Zimbabwe

While all of our Experiences offer beautiful night skies, these three are especially good for stargazing:

1. Atzaró Okavango Camp — Botswana

Tucked deep into a remote corner of the Okavango Delta, Atzaró Okavango offers big skies, wide-open views, and absolute stillness. Whether you’re on your private deck or by the firepit, the stars feel close enough to touch.

2. Linyanti Expeditions — Botswana

This Experience is for the adventurous. You can sleep out in a star bed with nothing but a mosquito net between you and the sky. It’s immersive and unforgettable.

3. Somalisa Camp — Zimbabwe

In the heart of Hwange, Somalisa Camp is surrounded by ancient acacias and open skies. The guides here are natural storytellers, so you can expect a night of local myths, laughter, and star-filled skies by the fire.