JOURNEY INTO THE STARS The noctourism trend transforming African adventures

AS THE sun dips below the horizon, an enchanting new form of travel is taking flight - one that elevates our connection with the universe and invites us to embrace the stories hidden within a star-studded sky.

- ZAMANDOSI CELE

Enter noctourism, a burgeoning movement appealing to those who seek deeper adventures beyond the constraints of daylight. This captivating experience offers travellers a way to rediscover the cosmos and revel in the extraordinary beauty that unfolds once darkness descends.

"Have you ever gazed up at a starry night sky and felt a sense of wonder?" asks Lynette Machiri, the customer experience leader at Flight Centre South Africa. In bustling cities like Johannesburg, where bright lights obliterate the splendour of the celestial realm, countless individuals may have forgotten this breathtaking sight.

Light pollution, as Machiri points out, has distanced many from the awe-inspiring panorama above us. Yet, with the rising interest in noctourism, a growing number of people are eager to reconnect with the universe, casting their eyes skyward once more.

What is noctourism?

Noctourism encompasses an expansive range of experiences under the veil of night. From meditative stargazing and thrilling night safaris to lunar festivals and exciting celestial events like meteor showers, noctourism beckons.