Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: Stargazing in the Klein Karoo

Tucked into the folds of the Warmwatersberg, three hours from Cape Town, Sanbona is a 58 000-hectare sanctuary of wide-open plains, craggy mountains and rocky gorges where wildlife roam free. As the Cape’s premier safari experience, your days will be filled with glorious scenery and Big 5-spotting, on games drives, by foot or from your suite’s private terrace.

As night falls, more dazzling scenery awaits – if you look up… Far from the city, the star-filled skies of the Klein Karoo are simply breathtaking.

Guided stargazing safaris

Count your lucky stars, because Sanbona offers guided stargazing, too. With a high-powered telescope at each lodge, you can get “up close” to the moon and a variety of planets, constellations, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies – including the Big 5 of the skies.

On night drives, a knowledgeable ranger will point out interesting features of our southern hemisphere skies, from the Southern Cross to the Pleiades, and much more, using a laser pointer. Standing out in the wilderness under a sparkling carpet of stars, you’ll feel as if you can reach out and touch the Milky Way.

It’s an ideal activity for all ages, and is included in the room rate.

Stargazing dates to diarise

Plan a trip to Sanbona in the coming months as the sky is at its best in the winter, when there’s less humidity and haze. And because the cosmos is a constantly changing realm of discovery, special dates for astrophiles to look out for in 2023 include:

• 1 March Venus and Jupiter appear to be nearly touching each other
• 21 June the Winter solstice and conjunction
• 13 – 14 August Perseid meteor shower
• 24 August Earth sits perfectly between Saturn and the sun
• 14 October “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse

Sanbona has accommodation to suit every kind of traveller, whether you’re escaping for a romantic weekend (Dwyka Tented Camp), a group get-together or family holiday (Gondwana Family Lodge), or looking for a remote refuge (Tilney Manor). If you’re an early booker (six months ahead), you’ll get 10% off the daily rate.

Cost From R6 782
Where to find it Off the R62 near Montagu
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

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