Entering Another World: Africa's Most Spellbinding Deserts

The deserts in Africa introduce visitors to regions of pure enchantment. A place where nature reveals its raw, unfiltered beauty and harbours a remarkable diversity of life uniquely adapted to survive in harsh, unrelenting conditions.

The breathtaking scenery evokes a sense of awe and wonder, where time seems to slow down, encouraging you to do the same in turn. From the vast dunes of the Sahara to the ruggedly beautiful Kalahari, Africa’s deserts offer an immersive escape into an otherworldly environment.

Here is our shortlist for the most spellbinding deserts in Africa.

The Sahara Desert

Best time to visit: March - May or September - November

Stretching an astonishing 9,200,000 sqkm across North Africa, the Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert. The sheer size of it is overwhelming - a vast ocean of undulating golden dunes stretching as far as the eye can see. The seemingly barren landscape is alive with plants and animals: fennec foxes, desert hedgehogs, addax antelopes, and more.

Amidst the dunes, oases emerge like mirages, offering a stark contrast with their lush palm groves and clear springs. Life in the Sahara is reliant on these underground aquifers and fertile oases, providing refuge from the scorching desert sun. Stop here, as camel caravans once did on their trade routes, for refreshments of mint tea and tagine.

Immerse yourself into the ways of the desert by riding camels, the primary mode of transport across the rolling dunes. The silence within the desert is deafening as you sway gently to the rock of their movement while appreciating the unimaginable expanse around you.

Spend a night at a traditional camp such as Azalai Desert Camp or Dar Ahlam Dunes Camp, where your chic canvas tent welcomes you. As the temperatures begin to drop in the evening, sit around the campfire and share stories of the desert before retreating for the night.

Sunrise in the Sahara is a special moment: the desert sands transform into a kaleidoscope of deep reds, soft pinks, and golden hues as the sun slowly begins to heat up the landscape again.

The Kalahari Desert

Best time to visit: May - September

The Kalahari is a land of contrasts: striking red sands meet green grasslands, ancient river valleys, and striking geological formations. The rhythms of the wild dictate the flow of life; the green season signals the birth of thousands of new animals and the dry season sees them congregating around the scarce water sources.

There are many opportunities for safari in the Kalahari Desert, including Tswalu in the south and Central Kalahari Game Reserve in the north.

In the semi-arid stretches of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, you’ll be guided by Zu/’hoasi Bushmen, who have lived on this land for over 100,000 years. Learn more about their indigenous culture through their rock art, stories, and traditional practices. On dawn and dusk game drives, be on the lookout for the Kalahari’s black-maned lions, prowling leopards, and other desert rarities. Observe oryx and wildebeest as they roam the vast plains in search of hardy grasses and acacia trees.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana are remnants of an ancient lake that once covered most of the country. Now, these shimmering expanses of white salt are home to one of Africa’s largest zebra populations. As the rains fall between October and March, the pans transform into shallow lakes attracting a wide variety of birds, creating a breathtaking spectacle of colour and movement.

Tswalu, the largest private game reserve in South Africa, offers a true luxury wilderness experience. Days here are unscripted and unhurried; explore the vast landscape with your private safari vehicle and tracker, embark on a walking safari or ride over the dunes on horseback with the hopes of encountering endangered species like black rhinos or other rarities such as aardvarks, pangolins, or the African wild dog.

The Namib Desert

Best time to visit: May - September

The towering dunes, clay pans, and diverse wildlife showcase the resilience and adaptability of life in the Namib Desert. Believed to be the oldest desert in the world, the red sands and twisted trees of the Sossusvlei are an iconic sight.

Embark on a classic Namibia adventure starting in NamibRand Nature Reserve, where oryxes, zebras, giraffes, and even leopards roam the diverse landscape of inselbergs and mountains, desert flats, and savannahs.

Stay at accommodation within the desert itself, like Wolwedans Desert Lodge, in a private chalet atop a dune plateau. Here you can sit back and enjoy the silence or embark on a day trip to the towering sands and surreal pans of Sossusvlei. The landscape can be explored through Bushman walks, game drives, horse rides, and e-bikes, where your guide will bring the dunes to life.

Sand dunes meet the Atlantic Sea on the Skeleton Coast. Here, you’ll track desert adapted wildlife such as Hartmann’s mountain zebras, oryxes, elephants, and brown hyenas, which are best appreciated from the sky. As you travel further north to the Kunene River, you’ll have a chance to meet nomadic tribesmen from some of the world’s most remote camps and learn more about their ways of life.

Sundowners in the Namib Desert are an unforgettable experience as you sit atop a dune and watch the sun sink slowly behind the hills in front of you. Candlelit dinners follow, where you can glance upwards to observe the glowing constellations in the night sky.

The deserts in Africa are truly special, with immense natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and fascinating cultures. If you are ready to start planning your African desert adventure, simply get in touch with our team on +44 (0) 20 3821 5994 (UK), +1 (833) 215 9353 (US), or at explore@niarratravel.com.