The act of lying under a night sky so bright it feels like the Milky Way might tumble straight into your lap is so simple yet utterly glorious. Star gazing – or star bathing if we’re being trendy – is a reset for your soul, boosting your mood, calming your mind and definitely injecting a little awe into your trip.
But of course, you can’t star bathe just anywhere. You need big, wild skies… the kind you’ll find in Namibia perhaps, or Morocco’s faraway dunes, or even the windswept plains of Patagonia.
Even better? We know the perfect lodges where you can stretch out under skies so clear you’ll forget the rest of the world exists…
The Namib Desert
Sossusvlei & NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
The Namib is one of the world’s oldest arid deserts and one of the darkest inhabited places on Earth. The NamibRand is, in fact, an International Dark Sky Reserve – the only one in Africa. Enjoy the supremely clear desert air, wide horizons, and (pardon the pun) the out-of-this-world stargazing.
Where to stay
Little Kulala’s low-impact lighting, rooftop star-beds and spotting scopes offer unrivalled views of the night sky twinkling above. Or marvel at the Milky Way from between the sheets of your King-size bed in the brand-new desert sleep out at Wolwedans.
Chilean Patagonia
Chile
Occupying the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina, much of Patagonia is entirely free of artificial light and, especially during the austral summer months, the skies are exceedingly clear – perfect for seeing the constellations at their most vivid.
Where to stay
Deep in Torres del Paine, the clever domed rooms at EcoCamp Patagonia all have skylights, meaning you’ll never miss out on the star-filled sky. Suspended above Chile’s Lake Pehoé, Explora’s idyllic – and very dramatic – surroundings are perfect for astrophotography.
The Moroccan Desert
Morocco
Immense, orange-hued plains and never-ending solitude… it has to be the Moroccan Desert (part of the infamous Sahara). September to May offers the best visibility, but year-round you are almost guaranteed to see the stars from horizon to horizon.
Where to stay
A secret hideaway deep in the desert, Desert Luxury Camp – Erg Chigaga is all about exceptionally dark skies and atmospheric, lantern-lit dinners in the dunes. Far, far from any whiff of a city, Dar Ahlam offers overnight sleep outs, complete with Berber-style dinners under the stars.
Laikipia
Kenya
The higher you go, the thinner the atmosphere… and the sharper the stargazing! At an average elevation of 1,700-metres, Kenya’s Laikipia plateau offers striking views of the night sky, especially during the dry season when there isn’t a cloud between you and a billion stars.
Where to stay
Simply roll your hand-crafted bed onto the veranda – and voila! Untainted celestial views await from atop a rocky kopje at Loisaba. For an unforgettable night, cosy up in the exquisite Nay Palad Bird Nest and watch the stars from the top of your three-storey cocoon.
Atacama Desert
Chile
With almost no humidity or light pollution, the high-altitude Atacama Desert delivers near-perfect conditions for admiring the heavens. It’s pretty spectacular year-round but March to November delivers the clearest skies. It’s no surprise that some of the world’s most powerful observatories can be found here.
Where to stay
With its own impressive observatory and alfresco thermal pools for nighttime dips, Explora more than delivers on the Atacama’s promises. With expert astronomy guides and private solariums for cosy evenings under starry skies, Awasi Atacama is a fabulous choice.
Makgadikgadi Pans
Botswana
Flat, endless salt pans extend towards the horizon, making the sky feel exceedingly vast and unfathomable and, with no city lights and cloudless skies (May to October), this is the place for starbathing.
Where to stay
The glorious Jack’s Camp can organise a night of ceiling-free camping in the pan and, really, there’s nothing else like it. Emitting zero electric light and 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, San Camp is a top-tier choice.
Ladakh
Western Himalayas, India
A high-altitude, cold desert with unbelievably clear skies, Ladakh is one to beat when it comes to star bathing. Once roads open in June, its valleys and mountains become a wonderland for the adventurous (and starry-eyed).
Where to stay
Surrounded by nothing but mountains, monasteries and bubbling waterways, Chamba Camp Thiksey was one of the very first mobile camps in India, taking its guests far, far off the beaten track. We suggest dining beneath a sky full of stars in a secluded corner of camp.
Baa Atoll
Maldives
When it comes to seclusion, a private island in the Baa Atoll is hard to beat. With very little light interference and an ocean stretched out before you, the stars are incredibly clear (especially between December and April) – and if you’re lucky, bioluminescence in the water mirrors this spectacular sight.
Where to stay
Our number one pick is Soneva Fushi, where you can lay out on the sugary sand or your private deck – or head for the resort’s very own observatory. On the other hand, Anantara Kihavah boasts the Maldives’ first and only overwater observatory, which comes with a rooftop bar to boot.
Chapada Diamantina
Brazil
While it may seem like an unexpected addition to our list, Chapada Diamantina’s highland location actually means an escape from much of Brazil’s humidity. From May to September, you can expect wonderfully pristine skies where stars twinkle above the wild and rugged landscape.
Where to stay
A simple yet charming spot by the riverside, Hotel Canto das Águas’ rooftop terrace is perfectly-placed for starbathing – or opt for a hammock on your private balcony. If you’re up for more of an adventure, a multi-day trek through the park reveals dazzling night skies.
Komodo National Park
Indonesia
After a day spent trekking across this surreal archipelago in search of the iconic Komodo Dragon, nothing is better than sinking into a cushy spot and admiring the heavens. With almost no unnatural light and the calm conditions enjoyed from April to October, Komodo was made for stargazers.
Where to stay
There’s no better vantage point than a vessel on the water. Our top pick? The Tara Boat where you’ll be gently rocked to sleep beneath a blanket of stars.
Oh yes, life is certainly better with a little starbathing in it and, with destinations like these, you’ll want to return again and again.
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