Declared Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) in 2013, the NamibRand Nature Reserve was also the first IDSR in the world to be awarded Gold Tier.

This prestigious ranking is reserved for environments that have exceptionally little to no impact from artificial light. With the nearest town 90 miles away, the Reserve is not only free of light pollution but boasts one of the darkest skies ever measured.

The Reserve’s exceptional international ranking is largely thanks to luxury experiential travel company &Beyond, which played an integral role in obtaining this designation thanks to research submitted by the residential professional astronomers that help guests study the heavens at &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. Thanks to the exceptionally dark skies, as well as a state-of-the-art observatory and telescope, guests at the lodge, which is located within the IDSR, have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best stargazing in the world.

Where to stargaze

Lodge observatory

The lodge’s high-tech observatory is equipped with a Meade LX200R 12-inch telescope (one of the largest in the southern hemisphere) and allows guests to get a closer look at the planets and constellations of the Namibian sky under the guidance of a resident astronomer.

Guest suites

Each of the 10 stone and glass desert suites has a large skylight above the bed, perfectly positioned to allow guests to admire the night sky in complete privacy.

The experts

A resident astronomer is available at the lodge at all times and is on hand before and after dinner to point out the various galaxies and constellations, as well as to help guests identify particularly spectacular views of the planets, including Jupiter and Saturn.

What guests see

Year-round

With skies this dark, the Milky Way is visible at all times of the year, in full display in all of its bright and sparkling splendor.

Winter (April to September)

The skies are the clearest at this time of year and showcase star clusters, galaxies and southern hemisphere constellations such as the Southern Cross and Centaurus.

Summer (October-March)

The several-billion-year-old globular cluster of over a million stars known as 47 Tucanae is clearly visible during this time.

&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Overlooking the starkly beautiful Namib Desert, the lodge was designed to capture the splendor and solitude of the landscape. Each air conditioned guest suite has a private veranda, split-level bedroom and living room with fireplace, ensuite glass-encased bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as a discrete music system and custom-stocked personal bar. In the guest area walls have become windows that fold away completely, opening out onto unimpeded desert vistas. The lodge’s fire-lit bar and sitting room are surrounded by a wraparound veranda. A fine selection of wines from an impressive walk-in wine cellar complements the delicious meals. Guests can escape the desert heat with a revitalizing midday dip in the pool, fed by water from an underground spring.