Viana Desert

Desert Delight with optional transport

For a truly celestial holiday experience, it's hard to beat this evening dinner in Boa Vista's Viana Desert. In the middle of nowhere, far away from light pollution, you'll get an unrivalled view of the Milky Way in its full glory. With the ever-changing moon phases, this is sure to be a unique experience at any time of the year.On arrival at the Viana Club, you'll be handed a welcome drink before listening to a briefing on what to expect of the evening. Dinner will then be ready - a buffet of traditional Cape Verdean dishes for you to feast on.And after eating, there's another treat - you'll head outside for an exhilarating view of the heavens. Gaze into the stars and planets with your naked eyes and with the help of telescopes – it's simply amazing. The kids are also well looked after, as there are some gravity-centred activities for them to take part in.

Half-day southern Boa Vista 4x4 tour with Viana Desert

This fun-filled tour gives you the chance to delve into some of Boa Vista's top spots. Spend a morning exploring inland villages and roaming the Viana desert in a 4x4, before ending up on one of the island's most pretty beaches. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘It probably wasn't their intention but the souvenir shops of Povoação Velha and Rabil have become unwitting social media stars. Their colourful, kitsch and carefree displays are massive Instagram hits.'This morning-long adventure kicks off with a visit to Rabil – Boa Vista's second-largest town. From its vibrant streets to traditional architecture, the town reflects the island's tough yet resilient spirit. Here, you'll visit a ceramic factory, where you'll see the handiwork of local artisans and might be able to grab yourself a souvenir of local pottery. You'll also get to taste Cape Verde's national dish, catchupa, a rich stew of corn, beans, pork and vegetables – through ingredients change, not just from island to island or village to village, but house to house.Next, hold on tight as you zoom through the dusty landscape of the Viana desert. Our next stop is Povoação Velha, the oldest settlement on the island. Wander its rustic streets before kicking back on the 11km-long Santa Monica beach. Its sugar-white sand contrasts against fluorescent blue waters like an image from a postcard. If you're an adventure seeker, you can even try your hand at sandboarding.

Boa Vista full-day 4x4 island tour with beachfront lunch

Off-road through luscious landscapes and be charmed by Boa Vista's untouched beauty on this action-packed 4x4 tour. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘The Viana desert is Boa Vista's very own chunk of the Sahara. Its sand is blown in from western Africa, creating huge dunes, which we'll rally up and down.' Leave no stone unturned as you visit the shipwreck on Santa Maria beach, before stopping in Sal Rei village and Povoaçao Velha. Plus, there's lunch by the sea in a beachfront restaurant.The fun kicks off in the Viana desert. Feel the wind in your hair as you rumble over the sand dunes in a 4x4. Then, you're off to discover the rusting shipwreck of Cabo de Santa Maria – a symbol of Boa Vista. Roberto says, ‘There are about 150 shipwrecks on the islands of Cape Verde, but this one is the most mysterious of all. It's a great place to snap a selfie, too.' You'll have a quick stop in Sal Rei for a glimpse at the capital's fishing pier, before a locally-sourced lunch is served at a nearby beach restaurant.Next up is a pit stop in Povoaçao Velha – the oldest settlement on the island. Have a poke around this isolated hamlet and enjoy a look into local life, before our final stop, Santa Monica beach. Boasting 15km of white sand and undulating dunes, it's no wonder it was voted one of the world's top 10 beaches. The perfect place to end the tour.What is the itinerary for this experience?The itinerary for this experience is...- 8:30am to 9:10am – pick‑up from your hotel- 9:10am to 9:25am – visit the Viana Desert for sandboarding- 10:10am to 10:40am – visit the shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria- 11:10am to 11:50am – walk through Sal Rei- 12:10pm to 1:20pm – lunch at a beachfront restaurant- 1:30pm to 2:00pm – visit the village of Povoação Velha- 2:40pm to 2:50pm – visit Santa Mónica Beach- 3:00pm to 4:00pm – return transfer to your hotel Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day

Boa Vista buggy night tour with optional dinner

Get behind the wheel of a 4x4 buggy on this night tour, zooming across the Viana Desert, stopping there to admire an unforgettable view of one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde. From here, you'll continue across Via Pitoresca, which means ‘picturesque route' in English – we think you'll agree it's worthy of the name – before making your way over the sandy paths to the restored chapel of Our Lady of Fatima. To round off the adventure, you'll zip through Sal-Rei – that's ‘king of salt' in Portuguese – which was named as a sign of respect towards the importance of salt production on the island. There's a dinner option available to book, too.