MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Monday, December 01, 2025
Cape Town, South Africa
KICKER:
The Kagga Kamma Eco Lodge & Spa – nestled within the Western Cape’s remote Cederberg ranges – has launched their new, cutting-edge remote observatory. This exciting collaboration with Professor Peter Dunsby, a leading cosmologist from the University of Cape Town, enables scientists and amateur astronomers from around the globe to remotely tether to these telescopes and explore their exceptional Bortle 1 night skies.
Kagga Kamma Eco Lodge & Spa is located upon the distant edge of the Cederberg ranges, straddling the transition zone where Cape fynbos blends into the Karoo-succulent and Renosterveld biomes. This leading conservation destination has recently expanded its remarkable tourism offerings to include astro-tourism and ‘noctourism’ activities.
Curated nocturnal adventures have become a booming tourism sector, with astro-photography, stargazing and cosmology capturing the imagination of millions of potential international visitors. “Kagga Kamma boasts unparallelled night skies”, explains Board Member, Louis Loubser. “Our stargazing sessions and fireside storytelling explore how San myths link to contemporary cosmology; these have always been a firm favourite with our guests”.
“Phase 1, our Remote Observatory, is about to launch our astronomy offerings into the stratosphere”, says Loubser. “The Remote Observatory came online in October this year and is equipped with fifteen piers, each accommodating its own telescope. Ten of these have already been snapped up by astrophotographers and astronomers from around the world, with six telescopes installed on-site and a couple more currently en route to South Africa”.
A shared vision between Kagga Kamma and Professor Peter Dunsby, a leading cosmologist at the University of Cape Town, was a key driver in establishing the Remote Observatory. “Our partnership places innovative technology on-site and will aim to preserve the pristine Kagga Kamma night skies, with a view to making world-class astrophotography and astronomy accessible”, Dunsby elaborates.
This aligns with Kagga Kamma’s desire to preserve and share their magnificent skies, blessed with some of the lowest light pollution in the whole of the Southern Hemisphere. A *Bortle 1 rating makes the reserve ideal for deep-sky imaging and remote telescopic exploration, with stable observation conditions on at least 250 clear-sky nights per year.
The Remote Observatory constitutes the first phase of Kagga Kamma’s planned ‘Astro Park’, with world-class Astro-Tourism Facilities and Guest Experiences to follow suit. “Our observatory is fully automated, with precision roof control, live system monitoring, and a stable communications network, despite our remote location”, adds Louis Loubser.
Clients can view real-time logs, weather data, and on-site camera feeds at any time, with their system’s status at their fingertips. The remote location places the observatory at an elevation of 1 200m above sea level, far from city lights and coastal humidity. A stable, arid climate and minimal light pollution sweeten the deal, guaranteeing serious researchers and imagineers pristine conditions for superior optical viewing and astrophotography throughout the year.
Phase 2 of the project will focus in more detail on ‘Guest Experiences’ at Kagga Kamma, with astro-tourism facilities such as stand-alone telescope piers installed directly outside selected accommodation options. These piers will accommodate astro enthusiasts who like to travel with their own telescopes, thus allowing them to set up their rigs for on-site use during their stay.
* The Bortle scale is a nine-level classification system that measures the darkness of the night sky and the impact of light pollution. It ranges from Class 1 – for the darkest, most pristine skies where the Milky Way casts shadows – to Class 9, for heavily light-polluted inner-city skies where the Milky Way is not visible at all.
An amphitheatre-style location will be finalised to accommodate Stargazing Tours and Storytelling evenings, enhancing the celestial experience for guests. These astronomy presentations and demonstrations will be led by qualified field guides, or by cosmology and astrophotography experts during specially hosted events.
“Our Astro Park concept is built on a carefully considered philosophy, and allows us to further hone our sustainable tourism ethos and cultural credibility”, explains Loubser. Stargazing is inherently low-impact and non-consumptive, leveraging existing natural assets with minimal environmental degradation. Plus, the Bortle 1 skies and remote location signify a rare and increasingly valuable natural asset.
This collaboration with Professor Dunsby is founded on a genuine passion for the night sky, and draws on decades of academic expertise and extensive experience in cosmology, science outreach and astrophotography. Together, Kagga Kamma’s committed team and Dunsby will strive to create unmatched celestial experiences in a landscape where innovation, immaculate night skies, and nature converge.
MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, contact Dale Galloway on Cell: (083) 345 7658 or email dale@kaggakamma.co.za
REMOTE OBSERVATORY TECHNICAL CONTACT: For information, email Peter Dunsby on dunsby@gmail.com; https://www.instagram.com/astrocapetown/
IMAGERY: High-resolution imagery of the Remote Observatory and Stargazing Activities are available for media use from Jacques Marais on (083) 444 5369 / jmmedia@jacquesmarais.co.za
NOTE: Kagga Kamma is developing a circular hiking route as a related adventure offering. This guided overnight hike through the reserve’s dramatic ecosystem will culminate in an evening at a remote and romantic ‘skaapwagter huisie’. Built from stone, the traditional shepherds’ huts promise a star-struck, fireside evening, including a flame-grilled dinner, storytelling under the heavens and falling asleep to the haunting call of black-backed jackal and fiery-necked nightjars.
ENDS
ADDENDUM: Dark-Sky Reserves lighting up the starsThe current upswing in the popularity of dark-sky sanctuaries extends beyond just scientific research and will support educational outreach initiatives to help inspire curiosity and learning across all demographics.
Alarming research shows that light pollution increases globally at a rate of 7-10% annually, with genuinely dark locations becoming ever scarcer and more valuable. The groundbreaking work by Kagga Kamma and Professor Peter Dunsby envision the creation of a dark-sky sanctuary that will not only honour the cultural legacy of the Khoi and San peoples, but also stand proudly as an unmatched celestial experience for future generations to come.
These are some of the outcomes we envisage -:
- Environmental Conservation: Restoring and conserving nocturnal environments, through limiting the impact of light pollution on wildlife, on plant life, and importantly, on human health.
- Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding the night skies for societies throughout history, thus preserving indigenous traditions.
- Scientific Research & Education: Allowing astronomers and researchers to observe celestial phenomena with minimal light interference equates to more accurate astronomical data.
- Human Well-being: Reducing the disruptions of our circadian rhythm will improve our sleep quality, and our physical and mental well-being.
More information: https://kaggakamma.co.za and https://astrocapetown.com/