• Astro-Tourism at Samburu Sopa Lodge

    Beneath the dark Samburu skies, where silence speaks and stars shimmer, a new kind of journey begins, one that reaches far beyond the horizon. Here, the wilderness does not just awaken the senses, it opens a gateway to the universe.

    Welcome to Astro-Tourism at Samburu Sopa Lodge, where cosmic science meets cultural soul, and every night becomes a story written in starlight. From the sweeping plains to the star-filled skies, this immersive experience invites guests to explore the mysteries of the cosmos through the lens of tradition and astronomy.

What Is Astro-Tourism?

Astro-tourism is a niche travel experience that combines stargazing, astronomy education, and cultural storytelling. It is designed for curious minds, whether seasoned astronomers or first time skywatchers who seek meaningful connection with the universe.

At Samburu Sopa Lodge, guests explore celestial phenomena through guided night sky tours with our trained Samburu cultural astronomers,private dinner under the stars, telescope sessions, a trip to the universe at the planetarium and immersive cultural narratives that bring the stars to life.

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  • Traditional Beliefs on the Stars

    The Samburu people and diverse Kenyan communities have long used the stars to guide their seasons, stories, and ceremonies. Our Astro-Tourism experience honors this heritage through bonfire storytelling sessions, where our trained Sopa cultural astronomers share ancestral wisdom alongside modern science astronomy. This fusion of science and tradition creates a truly authentic and enlightening encounter.

The Planetarium Experience

Our planetarium, uniquely designed in the shape of a traditional Samburu manyatta, offers a captivating indoor journey through the cosmos. Using advanced projection technology, guests can explore constellations, planetary movements and cosmic events in a controlled environment, ideal for daytime learning or evenings. It is a space where science meets visuals that can push time into the future or the past, and where the universe becomes accessible to all.

  • Celebrating Special Moments

    Whether you are marking a birthday, anniversary, or a personal milestone, the stars offer a timeless backdrop. Our team curates private starlit dinners, customized celestial events, and date-specific sky interpretations to make your celebration unforgettable. Imagine commemorating your special day under a meteor shower or aligning your moment with a lunar phase, each experience is tailored to the cosmos and your story.

A Commitment to Eco-Tourism

At Sopa Lodges, sustainability and community empowerment are at the core of everything we do. Through Astro-Tourism, we create meaningful jobs for local guides and celebrate culture through immersive storytelling. Every guest experience contributes to preserving nature, honouring heritage and uplifting the community. This is travel with purpose; impactful, authentic and unforgettable.

Astronomical Calendar

October 7th 2025

Supermoon (Full Moon)

The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, and its face will be fully illuminated. This moon was known by early native American tribes as the Hunter’s Moon because at this time of year, the leaves are falling and the game is fat and ready to hunt. This is also the first of three supermoons for 2025. It will be 6.6% bigger and 13% brighter than a regular Full Moon.

  • Time :Visible from 19:00 EAT.
  • Visibility :The Moon will be visible from the east as it rises

October 21st - 22nd 2025

Orionids Meteor Shower

The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by Comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times.

The shower peaks this year on the night of October 21st and the morning of October 22th. The moon will be absent all night long, leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show this year!

  • Time : Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
  • Visibility : Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

October 21st - 22nd 2025

Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation

The planet Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 23.9 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky.

  • Time : Best viewing in the evening.
  • Visibility : Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

November 17th - 18th 2025

Supermoon (Full Moon)

The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This moon was known by early native American tribes as the Beaver Moon because this was the time of year to set the beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It has also been known as the Frosty Moon and the Dark Moon.

This Full Moon will also be the biggest and brightest Supermoon of the year (7.9% bigger and 16% brighter than a regular Full Moon).

  • Time : Visible from 19:00 EAT.
  • Visibility :Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

December 4th 2025

Supermoon (Full Moon)

The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, and its face will be fully illuminated. This moon was known by early native American tribes as the Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in and the nights become long and dark. It has also been known as the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule. This is also the last of three supermoons for 2025.

It will be 7.9% bigger and 15% brighter than a regular full moon.

  • Time : Visible from 19:00 EAT.
  • Visibility : The Moon will be visible from the east as it rises and will move through the sky all night, and will set in the west.

December 13th - 14th 2025

Geminids Meteor Shower

The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982.

The shower peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. Viewing conditions are favourable as the Moon is in the waning crescent phase.

  • Time : Visible from 19:00 EAT.
  • Visibility : Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

A guide to the night sky

View the Astronomical Calendar 2025 - 2026
Download

Astro-Tourism FAQs

What is Astro-tourism?

It is stargazing with a twist, combining astronomy, culture and nature under Samburu’s darkest night skies.

Why is Samburu the Ideal destination for stargazing?

  • Kenya is located on the equator, which allows VVIP views of both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres.
  • Our unique geo-location; Samburu has clear, unpolluted and uninterrupted night skies that allow for clear views of the skies and its celestial bodies.
  • Samburu community has deep cultural knowledge, values and stories making it the ideal destination for this new innovation.

What can I experience at the lodge?

Private dinner under the stars, guided stargazing session using powerful telescopes,binoculars, storytelling around the bonfire while using laser pointers and Planetarium sessions.

Is there a planetarium?

Yes! A manyatta-shaped planetarium offers an immersive sky show session.

Who leads the stargazing sessions?

An Astro-physicist and trained Sopa cultural astronomers blending science with cultural insights.

Can I combine this with a safari?

Absolutely! During the day, you can enjoy exciting game drives where you will have the chance to spot the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx), rare species found exclusively in the Samburu region. In addition to wildlife viewing, the area is home to an incredible variety of birdlife, making it a paradise for bird watching and bird photography enthusiasts. You can also explore the landscape on guided nature walks, offering an even deeper connection with the environment. All of this blends seamlessly with magical celestial nights, where stargazing under Samburu’s vast, unpolluted skies becomes the perfect way to end your day.

Is it family friendly?

Yes! Kids and adults alike can enjoy telescope viewing, constellation tracing and cultural tales.

Do I need special gear?

No, telescopes, binoculars, and laser pointers are provided as part of the experience.

Is it available year round?

Yes, with special events during eclipses, meteor showers and seasonal celestial highlights.

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