Written by Daryll Williams

The night sky has always fascinated bright minds for the mystery and stunning imagery it brings, making it a popular subject among artists and photographers. Nowhere else is this more prevalent than in Namibia; a place renowned for its astounding skies and their immense photographic potential.

Dark skies, brighter stars

The NamibRand Nature Reserve in south-western Namib is a Dark Sky Reserve and has one of the world’s darkest night skies, with vast stretches of land that have absolutely no light pollution. What’s more, the flat expanse allows you to see the sky above as a magnificent dome with no canopy of trees blocking the view. A practically perfect 360-degree panorama freckled with millions of brightly shining stars found in galaxies thousands of light-years away. This is the very night sky that our earliest ancestors saw thousands of years ago, before the advent of electricity and rapid urbanisation. Here, in one of the world’s most ancient deserts, is where you will see the Milky Way at its “milkiest”. Clusters of stars forming dense cloudy swirls that resemble a marble from your childhood. Stargazers will spot familiar constellations (and for those from the northern hemisphere, perhaps not so familiar) and a few others that you might not have been able to see before.

How to experience it

Of course you can simply just look up at the sky after the sun has set, but our favourite way to take in this celestial show is from a “star bed” - an open-air sleeping experience that can be booked at a few properties, such as Little Kulala and Dune Star Camp.

These rooms are still typically regarded as a luxury hotel room, but instead of a roof above your head, spectacular stars are shining upon you. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

If there aren’t any starbeds at your choice of accommodation, many lodges around Namibia also have their own telescopes.

The most followable photographers in Namibia

@kyleincpt

@markdumbletonphoto

@jandre_namibia_photo

@mikedexterphotography

Your Namibian night sky expedition awaits

Stargaze in Namibia and get lost in the deep secrets of the African skies. Read astrophotography part 2 and enquire at viatu.com to arrange your next astrophotography trip of a lifetime!