Building of the SALT 11-meter telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory near Sutherland.

© GroblerduPreez/Getty Images/iStock

South African Astronomical Observatory

Top choice in Northern Cape


During the day you can take a guided tour of the huge research telescopes, including the Southern African Large Telescope, but it's the two-hour night tours that are the real draw. After a short video, you head outside to take a sky safari, thanks to two 16in telescopes. Times vary depending on the time of year and bookings are essential. Dress very warmly, even in summer.


  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "south-africa/sutherland/attractions/south-african-astronomical-observatory/a/poi-sig/1507191/1333732",
      "destination": "Northern-Cape",
      "continent": "Africa",
      "country": "South-Africa",
      "region": "Northern-Cape",
      "position": "superzone"
    }