10 Day South African Stargazing Tour

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, guests are collected by their African Sky guide. First on the agenda is the Castle of Good Hope, which is historically significant in that it is South Africa's oldest building. It served as both a prison and administrative headquarters to successive colonial rulers. After the castle, we visit the Company's Gardens, established in early 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck as a vegetable garden.

During the afternoon, guests are transferred to their overnight accommodation, where they freshen up before heading up Table Mountain for a genuinely remarkable sunset experience. Though the city lights may hinder the appearance of stars, the dramatic scene will surely set a celestial tone for the days to come.

After breakfast, the tour heads to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a taste of 'nature in the city.' The gardens were established in 1913 to preserve the region's unique flora. Today, they flourish over 528 hectares on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, abounding with spectacular proteas and indigenous fynbos. The recently installed Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, also known as 'the Boomslang,' offers a unique view of the gardens, touching the forest floor twice and raising visitors to 12m above the ground at other points.

The afternoon is spent at leisure. Tonight, after an early dinner, we will head to the South African Astronomical Observatory Headquarters—the original site of the Royal Observatory. Your cosmic experience begins with a 45-minute presentation in the auditorium (topics vary bi-monthly) followed by an introduction to the historic McClean telescope and the observatory museum. If luck prevails, a clear night will enable visitors to peek through the McClean telescope at the starry heavens above.

The tour departs shortly after breakfast for the vast, open spaces of the Great Karoo. The road may be long, but tonight's otherworldly spoils make every mile worth it. The route is a handsome one. After passing through the Huguenot Tunnel that trundles its way through the heart of the Du Toitskloof mountains, the road winds and bows through breathtaking mountain passes, scattered with waterfalls and greenery after the wet months and occasionally dusted with snow in winter. After De Doorns, the mountains appear to melt away, and the landscape stretches out aridly and flatly, as far as the eye can see. Lunch is enjoyed in the historic hamlet of Matjiesfontein - our last stop on the National Highway. Entering Matjiesfontein feels like entering a time capsule, as the town seems to cling to a colonial reverie. It owes its existence to the Cape Government Railways, which established a small station there in 1878.

After stretching our legs in Matjiesfontein, our route turns north toward Sutherland, heading into the Karoo's loneliest and most isolated stretch. With no major towns or cities for hundreds and hundreds of kilometers in any direction, it quickly becomes evident why Sutherland is the astronomy capital of South Africa. The sleepy town's decisively arid and remote location 1 450 meters (4 760 feet) above sea level makes its night skies among the clearest and darkest in the world, enjoying 80% cloudless nights throughout the year. After check-in at your overnight accommodation, explore the town on foot. Stroll past the striking old Dutch Reformed Church, which the town owes its existence to, or one of the many historic Anglo-Boer War sites.

Today, we visit the famous SALT, the Southern African Large Telescope. SALT is the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and among the largest in the world. It has a hexagonal primary mirror array 11 meters across, comprising 91 individual 1m hexagonal mirrors. Your tour begins with a walk-through of the SAAO Visitors Center and is followed by a guided tour of selected research telescopes - including SALT. The afternoon is spent at leisure.

We head to Sterland Farm, a kilometer outside town, for a more personal, in-depth stargazing experience in the evening. Following an indoor presentation on a three-meter big screen, your group will head to the Muisbos Amphitheater, where visitors can observe the spectacular night sky through Celestron Go-To telescopes. Remember to dress warmly—Sutherland is the coldest town in South Africa!

Following breakfast, the tour departs Sutherland for the picturesque town of Prince Albert at the foot of the Swartberg Pass. The journey crosses arid plains, mountain passes, and great open spaces. You will see rural life in the Karoo with grazing sheep and lonely windmills, creating unique photo opportunities.

We arrive just in time for lunch, and with so many quaint cafes, wholesome farm stalls, and charming restaurants to choose from, visitors will be spoiled for choice. Then, it's on to the overnight accommodation at the Dennehof Karoo Guest House - a converted Cape Dutch farmhouse built in 1835. The rooms are elegant with authentic farm accents, contributing to a warm countryside atmosphere. Cool off with a dip in the old reservoir or relax on the patio, taking in the dramatic landscape with a refreshing sundowner.

Today, we embark on a trip via the Swartberg Pass to the Cango Caves. The pass begins a short distance outside Prince Albert. It is one of the most scenically impressive of all South Africa's mountain passes, with the first part of the narrow gravel road meandering through towering cliffs and crossing clear streams. Several stops will be made to appreciate these imposing surroundings. The route then ascends the Swartberg Mountains. Here, fynbos creates a beautiful display among the rocky outcrops, and the views are sublime. The summit is reached at 1583 meters (5194 feet). We stop here to appreciate views of the mountainous terrain to the north and the vast expanse of the Little Karoo to the south.

After descending the pass, a short drive leads to the most extensive cave system in South Africa, the Cango Caves. Here, we enjoy the heritage tour, which lasts roughly an hour. It is a comfortable walk that explores some of the largest and most impressive chambers. You will view massive stalactites, stalagmites, dripstone formations, and flowstone structures, the tallest of which stands over 9m. We visit Oudtshoorn for lunch and briefly explore the town, following the cave exploration. The tour then returns to Prince Albert, where time is spent relaxing.

Tonight is once again devoted to the heavens. We head into town at sunset for a star lecture, dinner, and stargazing through powerful telescopes with experienced local astronomers.

After a last early breakfast in the magical Karoo, we head to George via Meiringspoort and Oudtshoorn. The route crosses the Outeniqua Mountains via an imposing pass where we stop to savor the view. From George, guests fly to Johannesburg, and there is a connecting flight to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. Guests are met at Skukuza and transferred to Jock Safari Lodge, navigating the public roads of the park and encountering all walks of wildlife en route.

Jock is located on a 6 000 hectare private concession within the park and enjoys exclusive riverbed traversing rights in the area, the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamithi Rivers. Ancient rock art is found here, adding a sense of history. After check-in, a late lunch, and time to relax, you will embark on a sunset game drive in this world-renowned wilderness in search of the Big 5 and other animal species.

Your morning begins with an early wake-up call before heading out into the bush in a modified open-air 4x4. The company of an experienced ranger ensures you will encounter a wealth of wildlife, possibly even the famous Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Once back at the lodge, guests can join a guide for a walking safari, venturing out to admire the rock art sites or relaxing in their plush suites - complete with private plunge pools for those hot summer days.

Following your late afternoon game drive, engage in a captivating stargazing experience with the resident rangers as they share their knowledge of the skies and local cultures' interrelated myths and legends. This unforgettable experience is duly enhanced by the sounds of the bush and the crackle of the log fire.

The day is again devoted to exploring the wilderness and meeting the curious creatures that inhabit it, beginning with another early morning safari. It is a magical time in the park, as dawn brings fresh sights, smells, and sounds to this ever-changing landscape.

The Kruger National Park hosts almost 150 species of mammal and hundreds of different bird species, ensuring a wild kaleidoscope of sightings. Your afternoon is spent at leisure before your second outing shortly before dusk.

Guests bid farewell to the African wilderness after a final safari in Kruger and another fine breakfast. Your transfer back to Skukuza Airport is followed by a flight to Johannesburg, where this stellar stargazing tour of South Africa's extraordinary night skies ends.