The World’s Top 10 Stargazing Spots

The Landscape: The largest game reserve in South Africa, Kruger encompasses more than 7,300 square miles—and is home to the famous “Big Five” (lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and water buffalo), along with many high-end safari lodges.

The Skyscape: Kruger’s flat savanna and bushveld, far removed from pollution and sources of artificial light, make excellent terrain for training binoculars on the Southern Cross, Scorpio, and the rings of Saturn.

How to Experience It: At Singita Game Reserves, set in the far eastern reaches of the park, guides trained in astronomy lead game drives in open-air Jeeps every day at dusk. These give guests the chance to enjoy champagne and hors d’oeuvres under the stars, often accompanied by the roars of not-so-distant lions.