You do not need a telescope to enjoy a desert sky. On a clear, moonless night you can see far more stars from the dunes than from any city, and often the band of the Milky Way as well. The sky is free; planning around the moon and the weather is what makes the difference.
- Best time
- Night
- Duration
- Confirmed on booking
- Price
- On request
How it works
- Check the moonChoose dates close to the new moon if you can.
- Book a night at the campOr take the private overnight safari to get further out.
- Walk out after dinnerAllow twenty minutes for your eyes to adjust.
Plan around the moon
The moon matters more than anything else. A few days either side of the new moon gives the darkest sky. Around the full moon the stars fade, though the dunes themselves look beautiful. Check a moon calendar before you fix your dates.
Which season?
Winter nights, from November to February, are often the clearest and most comfortable for being outside for long, but they are cold, so dress for it. Orion and its bright neighbours are high in the winter sky. The brightest part of the Milky Way is easier to see in the warmer months, when nights are shorter and dust or haze can be more common.
Getting away from the lights
Camps have lights, so walk or ride a short way out and your eyes will adapt within about twenty minutes. Keep your phone screen off or dimmed during that time. Dinner on the dunes and our private overnight safari both put you further from the lights.
What to bring
A warm layer in any month outside summer, a blanket or mat to lie on, a small torch for walking back, and water. A free star-map app helps you name what you can see; use its night mode.
Photographing the night sky
Phones with a night mode can capture bright stars if held steady. For the Milky Way, use a camera on a tripod with a wide lens and a long exposure, and turn off torches nearby. Do not wander far alone after dark, and tell someone where you are going.
Making a night of it
Stargazing fits naturally into an overnight stay: sunset on the dunes, dinner and music at the camp, then a walk out once the camp has settled. Stay up for the night sky and you can still be up for sunrise.
Frequently asked questions
Stargazing here is naked-eye. Ask us when you enquire if you would like a guide on the night, and we will tell you what is possible on your date.
Often yes, on a clear moonless night away from the lights. It depends on the season, dust and haze, so we cannot promise it for a given date.
Stay with your group, carry a torch and do not go far from the camp alone.
The night sky is there for every guest. Any private setup, such as dinner on the dunes, is arranged separately.
