Go on a sky safari in the Karoo

Discover worlds within worlds of wildlife thundering, swooping, and running free across vast national parks and game reserves. Witness the tides of time at the Valley of Desolation, find your slice of wild across the rolling plains of the Karoo Heartland, and discover worlds within worlds of wildlife thundering, swooping, and running free across vast national parks and game reserves. Walk in thunderous quiet while listening for bird calls, gasp in awe at the sight of a rhino, lion, or elephant, and retire beneath the vast dome of a brilliant Karoo night sky.

The Karoo's sparsely inhabited landscapes are enormous during the day, and its sky are as so at night. The stars penetrate some of the Earth's darkest, purest sky in this spectacular semi-desert territory, which spans roughly 500,000 square kilometers (1.9 million square miles) across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State. It's no surprise that the South African Astronomical Observatory, the largest in the southern hemisphere, is located here. A guided tour is available during the day, but the evening stargazing excursions are the main attraction. The lovely, ancient town of Prince Albert is an excellent location for stargazing.