Joe Blog

Experience the Magic of the Universe with “Stargazing with Vic’s Telescopes”!Escape the city’s hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the breathtaking dark skies at Kloof Rus, near Muldersdrift. Nestled in wide-open plains with not a single building in sight, this serene location offers the perfect recipe for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. No hiking is needed—simply drive up to our observation spot via a short dirt road (no 4x4 required).

This is no ordinary stargazing event—it’s your chance to witness a rare “large” planetary alignment, an extraordinary phenomenon that occurs only once every century! Over the weekend, six planets will line up in the sky. Through powerful telescopes, you’ll marvel at Jupiter (you’ll even see the gas clouds on the planet), Saturn (you’ll see its rings!), Venus, and Mars.If conditions allow, we’ll also attempt to spot the elusive Uranus and Neptune (they are very distant/faint, so observing these two planets is not guaranteed).Apart from the planets, you’ll also be able to observe a nebula and star clusters.

Bring your favorite food and drinks, settle in under the stars, and let the soothing sounds of nature surround you. You might even hear the majestic roar of lions from the nearby Rhino & Lion Reserve, adding a wild touch to this celestial evening.

Your guide, Vicus Cruywagen—a passionate telescope maker and avid observer of the night sky—will kick off the night with a fascinating talk about the universe and the wonders you’ll observe. Then, you’ll have the rare opportunity to view these celestial marvels through high-powered telescopes.Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. Gather your friends and family, and let’s explore the universe together!

Dates: 25 & 26 January.Time: 7:30pm - you’re welcome to arrive earlier to settle in. Please be there at least 10 minutes before the starting time.Duration: Approx. 90 minutes, depending on the number of guests.Tickets: R180 per personA limited number of guests can be accommodated - tickets are only available from Quicket.

• Our eyes have to get accustomed to the dark sky in order to spot the stars, so please refrain from using white lights/torches - red lights/torches are preferred (an idea is to cover your torch with red cellophane).* Dress warmly - it can still get quite cold at night.* IMPORTANT: Bring a camping chair along for each person in your party. You are welcome to bring food & drinks along.* If the weather is unfavourable for stargazing, the event will be postponed and your tickets allocated to a future date of your choice.