Star viewing/dark sky conditions on African hunts

[M48scout]

Never been on a hunt in Africa, but am interested. I am assuming that at night in most African countries, dark sky conditions are prevalent and star gazing conditions are great? Am I assuming correctly, or does atmospheric dust, smoke from fires, etc cloud what I would assume would be ideal star viewing conditions?

Seems like this would be a nice side benefit while on a safari.

 

[Mark458]

Africa is great for star viewing. You get away from all the artificial lights and pollution and the sky lights up. Obviously you have to check out the southern cross while you are over there.

 

[318AE]

Africa is a big place of course. I’ve particularly enjoyed this in central Namibia, away from Windhoek. Good transparency and seeing. The bortle maps support this as well. If you’re an astronomer in the northern hemisphere, it’s a real treat to see the southern skies. Seeing the southern cross for the first time is a little like starting all over. It’s a real neat part of the experience not often discussed. I’ve never brought more than binos, or encountered an outfitter with a telescope, but having a telescope in camp could be fun.

 

[autofire]

Of the 4 Africa countries and 14 camps I've hunted, area near Outjo Namibia had best night sky viewing. Not only does dry climate eliminate/minimize cloud cover, but elevation of 4000 feet causes awesome clear skies. Some photo bugs go to desert of SW Namibia for night sky viewing and photos.
Had beautiful night views in Botswana, but depends on cloud cover.
Night sky viewing added another and unexpected dimension to my hunts.

 

[375Fox]

Depends where you are. Namibia has some really impressive skies to look at stars. South Africa can have a lot of light pollution depending on area.

 

[PARA45]

The Kalahari from me has been the best place to view stars. Amazing views.

 

[Nyati]

Away from large cities, sky viewing can be amazing !

 

[Denvir Tire]

Watching the Starlink satellites travel across the sky is not to be missed

 

[PARA45]

Watching the Starlink satellites travel across the sky is not to be missed

I’ve seen them from GA.

 

[kpoynter]

Tried to find a couple of pics quickly, but YES…
It’s amazing
Part lack of light pollution and part Southern Hemisphere

 

[Rubberhead]

I went through a period when I was 10-13 years old when I was enamored with the stars and planets. This was before the internet so I had to ride my bike to the county library to get any real information on such things. There was new information coming out almost daily about the world of stars and planets. 45 years later, one of the things on my Africa To-Do list was to photograph the Southern Cross...

There's some hand shake in the photo that smeared the stars a little in this photo. I use it because it also makes the stars more visible.

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...the-kalahari-with-kanana-safaris.17037/page-7
Post #136 Demonstrates what a true dark sky presents for star viewing. Ghanzi, Botawana.

 

[LivingTheDream]

The stars in Mongolia were unbelievable. It is one of my best memories.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

The further you are away from civilization and ambient light the better the viewing will be. The fires and dust actually make for some really cool star gazing. Here are some photos from Coutada 11 earlier this year including some with the fire/smoke.

There first two were taken from the veranda of where we were staying. One early morning, the other on the way to dinner. The rest of the photos were taken quite literally from the center of a pan in the middle of a fire. Last photos shows the fire raging. It made for some really cool photos with the smoke and unfortunately the camera couldn’t do what we were actually seeing Justice due to the smoke/light/heat and tricking the camera flash and lenses. Maybe a better photographer than me or my girlfriend could’ve captured it.

 

[Luminous Ham]

The moon plays a big role. Two weeks ago we saw the milkyway and the ISS, in Mozambique.

 

[wildwilderness]

I guess if night Sky viewing is the tipping point to get you to Africa so be it!

You can dream about it all you want but making dreams come true is what life is about

 

[BryceM]

The Kalahari is great. The lack of light combined with dry air makes for some intense viewing conditions. Possibly the most moving view I’ve had of the sky happened when we were stuck for an hour or two at the top of a ridge in the Khomas Hochlands in Namibia. The cruiser overheated and it took a while for the boys to run us some water. The ridge was so high and so sharp, it almost seemed like we were floating in the stars.

 

[AZDAVE]

Sunrises, sunsets and stars in Africa is something you won't forget.

 

[kdenn]

View from the dinner table in Namibia

 

[kdenn]

Haze is Magellanic Cloud