For all the astro-tourists in the house, few experiences are quite as captivating as moon watching. As it appears on the horizon, the gigantic lunar satellite takes on a vibrant shade of red, announcing its arrival in style. If you have been there to watch it set at sunrise, the experience is breathtaking.
How about combining your love for travel and astronomy in an unforgettable moon viewing adventure? On the vast open spaces of the African continent, there are plenty of dramatic settings offering the perfect views of the moon.
In this guide, we explore the continent’s best places to moon watch in Africa. Whether you love to chase the super rare blue moon or deeply appreciate every full moon, there is a spot for you. Take a look at the best places in Africa to take in the spellbinding spectacle:
Best Moon Watching Destinations in Africa
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
The Atlas Mountains in the North African country of Morocco are known for their dramatic, rugged peaks. The location is ideal for moon watching and stargazing since it has minimal light pollution. It is in fact home to an ongoing project for the construction of a future dark sky reserve.
The moon viewing experience here is one of the most authentic anywhere in the world. As the sun dips behind desert dunes, the moon peeks from behind the jagged peaks. It bathes the rocky landscape in a soft light that creates intriguing shadowy silhouettes. The desert landscape appears almost otherworldly as its golden sands sparkle in the full moon’s radiance. It is a most stunning visual feast that you will certainly live to remember.
Sahara Desert, North Africa
The Sahara Desert is yet another great destination to combine a sunset and moon watching safari. If you are fortunate, you might also enjoy an immersive cultural experience with the Berber community. Spending a night in one of the desert’s oases is an opportunity to take in the wonders of the expansive region from a new perspective.
The night sky is incredibly dark and silent, a perfect canvas for the moon and stars to show off their dazzling beauty. Sand dunes take curious shapes as shadows take over the serene and surreal landscape. The interplay of shadows and light create a fascinating feast for the eyes, revealing the contours of the vast desert.
It is one of the best places in Africa to take in a 360-degree view of the night sky, completely unobstructed and uninterrupted. It is also a great destination when you want to get away from it all.
Mount Kenya, Kenya
It comes as no surprise that the second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya, offers one of the best moon watching spots. Famed for its freezing nights and summer days, this destination offers a remarkable hiking experience. The densely forested slopes of this mountain and its rugged summits make it one of the most remarkable landscapes in the East African region.
While it is incredibly beautiful by day, the light of the full moon brings out an otherworldly appeal that few get to see. It reflects off the snowy peaks and glaciers to create a mesmerizing glow. Rocky outcrops take on mysterious form in the shadows creating a stark contrast. The Milky Way lights up adding to the celestial visual feast.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The African savannah grasslands are just as intriguing during the night as they are in dayt. The Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in Africa to experience this firsthand. It is best known for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration – one of Africa’s seven natural wonders.
At night, the vast plains are incredibly still. When the moon makes its entry, the acacia trees cast distinctive shadows and the landscape takes on an ethereal glow. You can make out individual blades of grass as they glisten in the dark.
The natural light offers a unique opportunity to enjoy watching the nightly routines of nocturnal animals. If you plan your trip during the Great Migration, you may get to see nightly battles between lions and the migrating wildebeest.
Dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia
Located in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan characterized by stunning red dunes. Its towering dunes are the highest in the world and have a distinctive deep orange color. They rise to heights of up to 320 meters and are constantly shifting in tune with the wind.
Visiting this fascinating landscape during a moonlit night is an enchanting experience. The dunes stand like towering sentinels in the gentle glow. As they stretch out in waves, their peaks and valleys cast shadows that keep shifting as the wind stirs the sand.
Aside from the sounds of the wind and the occasional call of a night owl, it is incredibly quiet and eerie. This is the ideal spot to connect with nature on a profound level. As a bonus, you can enjoy some of the best views of the Milky Way Galaxy here as well as other cosmic wonders.
Table Mountain, South Africa
One of the most prominent landmarks of Cape Town, Table Mountain has an extensive flat summit. Thanks to its breathtaking views and natural attractions, it is among the top attractions in Southern Africa. It also happens to have some of the best moonrise, sunrise, sunset views in Africa.
A great way to make the most of your experience is by taking a full moon hike up the mountain or to one of the nearby peaks. Lions Head Peak is popular for these hikes as it offers an easy climb and the most dramatic views.
The highlight of this tour is the opportunity to view a glorious sunset on one side and a captivating moonrise on the other. The light of the full moon highlights the contours of the mountain and casts a dreamlike reflection on the surrounding bays. Once you stroll down the mountain, be sure to enjoy the amazing views of the moon along the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Moon watching by the iconic Victoria Falls is a magical experience. As the world’s largest waterfall, this stunning waterfall spans a combined width of over 1,700 meters. It drops more than 100 meters into a gorge.
A combination of this majestic waterfall and the dark African sky offers the ideal backdrop for moon watching. In the light of the moon, the mist that rises to cover the canyon gets an ethereal touch. The mighty Zambezi River sparkles as it cascades over the cliffs into the shadows below. As the soft light illuminates the surrounding rainforest, silhouettes of the vegetation come to life.
There are plenty of viewpoints along the cliffs surrounding these falls where you can take it all in and savor the memories.
Moon Watching – a Journey into the African Night
Moon watching in the vast landscapes of Africa takes on countless forms. Every experience – from atop majestic mountains, by the sea and in enchanting deserts – is unique and unforgettable. As the moon lights up these amazing landscapes, it reveals secrets that we would never get to see in the light of day.
Whether you are an avid astronomer, a curious adventurer or a romantic soul, these scenes will remain etched in your mind. The experience will connect you to nature as never before, leaving you yearning for the next adventure. Take a journey into the African night and rekindle your love and awe for the majesty of the universe.