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IOL News
25-05-2025
- IOL News
Under starry skies and golden dunes: Africa's must-visit desert adventure hotspots
Located in the southern Namib Desert, the Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan encircled by towering red dunes. A traveler explores this unique landscape. Image: Unsplash As we commemorate Africa Day on Sunday, May 25, it's a fitting time to explore the unique and breathtaking landscapes of Africa's deserts. Desert tourism offers a remarkable opportunity to experience the continent's diverse cultures, stunning natural phenomena, and thrilling adventures. It encompasses travel to arid and semi-arid regions, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty and solitude of these unique environments. The allure lies not only in the striking landscapes but also in the cultural experiences that come with them. Travellers are drawn to deserts for a variety of reasons, including the chance to witness natural wonders, engage with local communities, and partake in adventurous activities. One of the main attractions of desert tourism is the opportunity to witness unique natural phenomena such as vast sand dunes, dramatic rock formations, and starry skies. Many desert destinations offer thrilling activities like hiking, camping, and off-roading safaris. Additionally, the rich histories and traditions of desert cultures can be explored through local festivals, museums, and guided tours. The vast expanses of Africa's deserts hold a wealth of natural phenomena and cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. From towering dunes to captivating wildlife, these arid regions promise adventure seekers a perfect blend of nature and culture. A gem in Namibia: the Namib Desert The Namib Desert is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. As the world's oldest desert, it boasts some of the highest sand dunes, particularly in areas like Sossusvlei, which are a photographer's dream. Visitors can climb Dune 45 or Big Daddy for stunning views and a sense of accomplishment. Despite its harsh environment, the Namib Desert is home to a surprising array of wildlife, including desert-adapted mammals like oryx, springbok, and aardwolf. The NamibRand Nature Reserve, recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve, offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities. The coastline, including the Skeleton Coast, provides unique experiences such as observing seals, penguins, and even shipwrecks. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In the Kalahari Desert, a springbok rests in the shade of a tree. Image: Unsplash Botswana's wild heart: Kalahari Desert The Kalahari Desert in Botswana is a compelling destination that offers a blend of wildlife, cultural experiences, and stunning scenery. Visitors can enjoy game drives, stargazing, and interactions with the San people, who have inhabited the area for millennia. The desert is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black-maned lions, cheetahs, and meerkats. The Kalahari is particularly known for its intimate game-viewing experiences and excellent birding opportunities during the rainy summer months. The sheer size of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve creates a sense of endless space and wilderness, making it a tranquil escape from modern life. A cultural oasis in Morocco: the Sahara Desert The Moroccan Sahara Desert captivates visitors with its vast landscapes and rich culture. From stunning dune views to immersive desert experiences, it's a place where one can reconnect with nature and embrace adventure. The Sahara boasts awe-inspiring scenery, including vast dunes and dramatic rock formations. Visitors can experience Berber culture through interactions with local families or participation in desert camps. Activities such as camel trekking and sandboarding allow travellers to explore the unique terrain. The clear skies of the Sahara offer an unparalleled opportunity to witness the Milky Way and other celestial wonders. In the Karoo, a small duiker stands on a rock amidst surrounding plants. Image: Unsplash The unexpected beauty of South Africa: Karoo Desert The Karoo Desert in South Africa is a semi-arid region known for its vast open spaces, dramatic mountains, and clear night skies. It is a popular destination for stargazing and road trips. The Karoo's arid terrain is punctuated by unique geological formations and a fascinating array of desert plants, including succulents and wildflowers. The region's rich history is reflected in its towns and landmarks, many of which offer insights into the anti-apartheid struggle. The Karoo is home to a variety of wildlife, including antelope, zebra, and rhinoceros, making it an exciting destination for nature lovers. An off-the-beaten-path experience in Kenya: Chalbi Desert The Chalbi Desert in Kenya is a unique destination that offers a variety of experiences for adventurous travellers. Known for its harsh conditions and stunning natural beauty, the Chalbi Desert features towering sand dunes, volcanic mountains, and a network of oases. Visitors can learn about the traditions and customs of nomadic tribes, such as the Rendille and Turkana, who have adapted their way of life to the desert environment. The Chalbi Desert is also home to various desert-adapted animals, including ostriches and Grevy's zebras, making it a fascinating location for wildlife enthusiasts. White rock formations part of the desert landscape in the White Desert in Egypt. Image: Unsplash Egypt's surreal landscape: White Desert The White Desert National Park in Egypt offers an adventurous experience with its otherworldly landscape and unique chalk rock formations. Visitors can engage in activities like camping, jeep safari tours, and sandboarding while witnessing the vastness of the desert and its wildlife. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Rhim gazelle and various bird species. The clear, dark skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities, allowing visitors to marvel at the Milky Way and other celestial bodies. The soul of the Algerian Sahara: Djanet Desert Djanet, known as the "Pearl of the Algerian Sahara", offers a unique desert adventure filled with stunning landscapes and rich culture. This region is a gateway to the Sahara, featuring towering sand dunes and unique rock formations. Djanet is also home to the Tassili n'Ajjer National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse ecosystems and prehistoric rock art. Visitors can immerse themselves in Tuareg culture and explore the region's breathtaking geography, including verdant oases and vast sand dunes. As we celebrate Africa Day, it's essential to recognise the beauty and diversity of the continent's deserts. Desert tourism not only offers thrilling adventures but also allows travellers to engage with local cultures and histories. From the Namib to the Sahara, Africa's deserts are a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you're seeking solitude, adventure, or cultural enrichment, the deserts of Africa promise unforgettable journeys that will leave lasting memories.
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Top family activities in Akaroa: Penguins, stargazing, and more
It's a very compact town, and you can walk almost anywhere within a few minutes. We wandered from our accommodation to where a friendly team packed us off in a van and out to the largest little penguin colony in New Zealand. The project is a labour of love for the local family, whose parents (themselves fourth-generation Banks Peninsula farmers) live on site and have published research papers on the population of birds that call their bay home. Their daughter, Joey, drove our van the 30 minutes or so from Akaroa to the colony, pausing for a family photo at the top of a misty mountain, then descending a steep valley towards the unnervingly blue waters of Flea Bay. Our kids were almost as excited to feed the boisterous sheep as they were to see the penguins, who will make a home wherever they find shelter, but benefit in particular from the dozens of wooden human-built 'houses' scattered helpfully about the hillside. This tour is less about showing off the birds to tourists and more about letting visitors tag along with a scientific survey. It was exciting for the kids to see Joey lift the roof off a house and check for tenants, and there is plenty of time for photos and a closer look. Some of the penguins are friendly, others more nervous – Joey entering these observations into her survey app before moving on to the next nest. As well as the penguins, Flea Bay is home to hundreds of sea lions. They're not usually all there at once but you'll be unlucky not to spot at least one on your visit – usually playing about in the shallow water. To get closer to these intriguing animals and the dolphins that occasionally visit the bay, book a kayaking sea safari through the same company and get out on the water. We returned to Akaroa in time for dinner, then trekked off to our evening entertainment. Local astronomer Luca Devescovi is campaigning hard to make Banks Peninsula a Dark Sky Reserve – an international designation that would recognise the natural lack of light pollution, alongside efforts locals are making to enhance the night sky by limiting artificial light sources. It's a labour of love for Luca, who learnt his trade at the famous Mount John University Observatory and now runs stargazing tours for visitors to Akaroa. It's a short drive from his ticketing office (right next to Pohatu Penguins in town) up to the observation area on a nearby hill, but sadly the cloud cover was too extensive on the night we visited so we got the indoors version – a clever piece of software that recreates the exact night sky in Luca's office, with the advantage that he can fast-forward and rewind time to show you different constellations of interest. Our children took loads of fun facts away from his presentation, including how to pick their own star signs out of the night sky, and how to find south no matter where you are or what time of year it is. We slept well that night and drove back to Christchurch in the morning. We heard great things about The Giant's House, a family-friendly garden of curiosities which has won numerous awards. We'll go next time, but as a family of foodies, we had a date at the Barry's Bay Cheese Factory, a fun early stop on the way back to the city. Their cheese has a lot of fans including some high-profile chefs who swear it's the best in the country; at the factory you can see it being made, try some samples and (best of all for those like us who love a bargain) take home some offcuts at a fraction of the usual price. Long-beloved as a romantic destination for couples, Akaroa has more than enough to keep a young family busy. We had a fast-paced 24 hours, but you could always do things a little slower by including some wine tasting and a couple of the fantastic local restaurants while you're there.
