South Africa's best stays for stargazing

The Citizen

20-05-2025

When the city lights fade, the stars come out to play — and nowhere is this truer than in South Africa's wild spaces. With some of the world's lowest levels of light pollution and a culture deeply rooted in storytelling, our landscapes offer front-row seats to the cosmos.
From desert dunes to mountain plateaus, these accommodation spots don't just offer a bed — they invite you to sleep beneath the stars. Here are South Africa's best stays that deliver the night sky on a silver platter.
!Xaus Lodge – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape
With zero light pollution and a view stretching across the red Kalahari dunes. !Xaus Lodge offers raw, uninterrupted access to the night sky. The lodge is entirely off-grid, solar-powered and community-owned, making it a sustainable choice in a surreal landscape. The lodge provides star maps and encourages guests to step outside after dinner to witness the vast dome of stars. The silence of the desert only adds to the experience.
Sutherland Guesthouses – Sutherland, Northern Cape
Sutherland is home to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. The town is often called South Africa's stargazing capital, and many guesthouses here cater specifically to astro-tourism. One of the guesthouses like this is Sutherland Guest Houses Caravan Park & Stargazing. Local guides offer night tours using professional telescopes, or you can DIY it with a thermos and a pair of binoculars from your accommodation's stoep.
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve – Cederberg, Western Cape
Nestled in otherworldly rock formations, Kagga Kamma offers a 'star suite' that's nothing more than a luxurious bed under the open sky. There's also an on-site stargazing dome and telescopes for guided sessions. Choose between sleeping in a cave suite or fully outdoors with nothing between you and the Milky Way.
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AfriCamps at Karoo 1 – Hex River Valley, Western Cape
This glamping destination strikes the perfect balance between rugged charm and comfort. The dry Karoo climate means skies stay clear for much of the year. Each luxury tent has a private deck and firepit — ideal for post-braai stargazing with a glass of local red.
Nightjar Dome – Dullstroom, Mpumalanga
A romantic, glass-roofed dome in the hills outside Dullstroom, Nightjar offers a luxurious escape in nature with panoramic views of both sky and forest. The dome's skylight lets you fall asleep under the stars without leaving your bed. Add an indoor open fireplace and a wood-fired hot tub outside, and it's a win for winter, too.
The Zenkaya at Rosemary Hill – Pretoria
Just 20 minutes from Pretoria on the beautiful Rosemary Hill Farm, The Zenkaya is a stylish two-sleeper cabin that blends cutting-edge modular design with natural surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels slide open to let the outside in, and the wood-fired hot tub under the trees is an unforgettable spot to soak and stargaze. There's even a tree-top outdoor shower for the bold.
Ndaka Safari Lodge – Nambiti Private Game Reserve, KZN
Set in a Big Five reserve near Ladysmith, this family-run lodge is known for small group sizes, excellent guiding and heartwarming hospitality. Evening game drives often end with a quiet moment of star appreciation, and the lodge's open areas are perfect for lying back with a blanket and a glass of wine or cup of coffee.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve – Cederberg, Western Cape
A luxurious heritage lodge set among ancient sandstone, Bushmans Kloof brings together nature, history and healing. The reserve is also a proud custodian of San rock art. Their guides weave celestial storytelling into night-time experiences, blending San cosmology with astronomy.
What to pack for stargazing
A red-filtered torch (to preserve night vision)
Blanket or camping chair
Sky guide apps like Stellarium or SkyView
A flask of hot chocolate, or wine
Binoculars or a telescope if you have one
You don't need a fancy observatory to feel awe under the stars — just clear skies, a good view and time to slow down. Whether you're listening to desert silence in the Kgalagadi or watching stars from a glamping dome in Dullstroom, these stays prove that South Africa's most memorable nights are the ones spent looking up.
ALSO READ: South African spots that feel like the middle of nowhere
The post South Africa's best stays for stargazing appeared first on Getaway Magazine.
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