Karoo reserve caters to stargazers

2012-02-17 22:25

Cape Town - The arid Karoo region provides a unique opportunity for city dwellers to do some stargazing with uninterrupted views of the night sky.

CapeNature has established after-dark activities at Anysberg Nature Reserve, close to Laingsburg in the Karoo, where visitors can enjoy views of the night sky without any of the light pollution common to urban environments.

"Our new stargazing activity enables people to enjoy the heavens in all their splendour. Typically on a 'night out' at Anysberg one can expect to spot mammals including steenbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the endangered Cape mountain zebra.  Now visitors can also explore the night sky on a stargazing platform, complete with telescopes, interpretation and even trained guides," said CapeNature manager of tourism infrastructure, Wilfred Williams.

The Karoo is ideal for astronomy because the area is dry and underdeveloped.

This contributes significantly to viewing the night sky, and was one of the main reasons the Southern African Large Telescope (Salt) was situated in Sutherland.

The reserve also boasts archaeological sites, rock art and ruins dating from the 1700s, as well as trails and a dam to explore on mountain bikes and kayaks.

- News24