Sossusvlei is a remote place and with its red sand dunes and white salt pans, Namibia's Southern Namib Desert looks like the surface of Mars. You can almost imagine a space rover reverberate over the crimson surface and scare a herd of oryx, animals that have survived this harsh place called the "marsh of no return". Many people, however, do not come here to observe the wildlife; rather, they visit to gaze at the stars.
According to CNN, this place is so far from civilization that there is no evidence of light pollution, making the night skies in this part of the world one of the darkest. The International Dark-Sky Association relates that they have certified the region as one of its Dark Sky Reserves because of its spectacular view.
But though the sky is dark, it's amazing to note its exceptional brightness. When you gaze at the Milky Way stretching overhead, you'll see familiar constellatons from the South twinkling. But from the neighboring towns, you won't get to see their beauty.
To get here, you have two options. First, you can ride a six-seater plane. Second, if you're feeling claustrophobic in small planes, then it's best that you drive from Windhoek.
Around Sossusvlei, a number of lodges can be found. However, if you're one of those people who is highly interested in astronomy, you can stay at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. Its observatory boasts of a 12-inch telescope and an astronomer to help you navigate the sky. The lodge's CEO Joss Kent said, "With the telescope, we start by showing the bright planets and the moon when they are visible, and our close neighbor star, the double star Alpha Centauri. Then we look at some of the bright, very well-known objects in the far southern sky."
Getting certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve was no easy feat for the lodge as they had to remove the lights outside. What's truly amazing is that even the paths leading to the guest rooms are all lit with red energy-saver lights that help with night vision. Guests can feel like they're sleeping underneath the stars because of the skylight that opens overhead.
But stars are not the only thing you can see in this part of the world. You may also want to explore the sand dunes that Namibia is famous for, an hour's drive away.
