15 Otherworldly Desert Landscapes You Can Explore in Real Life
Most people have been led to believe that deserts are nothing more than dull, lifeless wastelands. On the contrary, they have some of Earth’s most astonishing and surreal landscapes.
According to The American Geophysical Union(AGU), one–third of our land comprises deserts. Visit brilliant salt flats and giant dunes of ancient rock formations, all of which are beautiful arid regions that attract adventurers, nature lovers, and geography lovers.
Uncover 15 of the world’s most incredible desert landscapes ready to be discovered.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico, USA
It has the appearance of a sci-fi movie set. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a maze of surreal rock formations that have been in the hands of wind and water for thousands of years. The place has hoodoos, petrified wood, and mushroom-like sandstone pillars, leaving an eerie, magical feeling. It is a definite must for photographers as well as explorers to visit.
Pro tip: Visit at sunrise or sunset—the colors of the rocks pop in the golden light.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Known as “the most unearthly place on Earth,” the Danakil Depression is one of the hottest and lowest regions in the world, spanning over 50,000 square miles, as Global Travel and Lifestyle magazine reported. Join me for a surreal landscape of endless neon-yellow sulfur springs, bubbling lava lakes, and wild salt flats that exist simultaneously in the same surreal part of the world.
Pro tip: Take a guided tour since the extreme environment is not forgiving (but completely worth it!).
Death Valley National Park, USA
And Death Valley isn’t just hot. It’s the record-breaking hot. But there is more to the fiery reputation than meets the eye, as diverse as colossal dunes, a rainbow of salt flats, and colorful multicolored badlands. This remarkable place is also an International Dark Sky Park, which means night skies are so clear, and it’s one of the best places on Earth to do some stargazing.
Pro tip: Catch a sunrise at Zabriskie Point and bring plenty of water (yes, even in winter).
Empty Quarter, United Arab Emirates
According to the Global Travel and Lifestyle magazine report, Rub’ Al Khali is an area of the world’s largest expanses of uninterrupted dunes, and it is the area is locally known as Rub’ Al Khali. The dunes are up to 800 feet tall! Walking here, you feel swallowed up by an endless ocean of golden waves. To say the least, it is a humbling, awe-inspiring experience. There may be chides about it later, but children love this activity.
Pro tip: Dune bashing in a 4×4 is a great way to get an adrenaline kick!
Gobi Desert, Mongolia, and China
The Gobi is wild and remote, never lacking in surprises. Apart from sand, this massive desert has canyons, mountains, and even snow if you visit during winter. Various other rare wildlife, such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels, also roam this diverse terrain.
Pro tip: have you ever stayed in a traditional yurt to complete the Gobi experience?
Great Victoria Desert, Australia
The Great Victoria Desert, ‘the largest desert in Australia,’ ClearTrip says, is a landscape as ancient as it is immense. It possesses a unique collection of wildlife, such as monitor lizards, dingoes, and rare Sandhill Dunnart. It is raw and rugged and utterly attractive in its pristine beauty.
Pro tip: Do not let navigation apps guide you in this desert.
Joshua Tree National Park, USA
Towering rock formations and funky Joshua trees make it a surreal and unique landscape, having been declared a national park by the government in 1976. This wilderness marks the meeting point of two major desert ecosystems: the arid Colorado Desert and the cooler, wetter Mojave Desert, home to the iconic Joshua tree, based on The Wilderness Society report.
Rock climbers, hikers, and artists who are seeking inspiration head to the mountain because of its unique beauty, which is otherworldly. When the sun sets, the nights are breathtaking, and the sight is absolutely unforgettable.
Pro tip: Layer up. The desert goes from desert heat during the day to cold at night.
Kaokoland, Namibia
Kaokoland seems like a trip back in time. Peering over the dunes sharply dropping into waterways, you see a stunning landscape contrast. It is also one of Namibia’s Indigenous tribes and a prime destination for experiencing the Himba people’s rich traditions in this remote region.
Some of its many natural wonders are the Epupa and Ruacana Falls, which remain unforgettable in this unique part of the world.
Pro tip: The remote desert paradise ticket is a 4×4 rental.
Mojave Desert, USA
The Mojave Desert is well known for its high altitude and beautiful views. It consists of miles and miles of salt flats and rugged canyons. It has the iconic Mojave National Preserve, where adventure and tranquility intermingle.
At the same time, its 20 million acres are diverse, with thousands of opportunities for recreation, ranching, mining, military training, and more.
Pro tip: Don’t miss Kelso Dunes. Even if you don’t hear the sand sing as it moves, the singing will be the best concert you will listen to.
Namib Desert, Namibia
The Namib Desert has towering red dunes and is deemed by many to be the oldest desert in the world. The Namib Sand Sea is unique as the only coastal desert globally, encompassing vast dune fields shaped by fog, as UNESCO reports.
For those who enjoy a chill, shipwrecks are strewn all over the eerie Skeleton Coast, a bitter reminder of nature’s power. The area is comprised of two dune systems: a semi-consolidated one upon which a younger, active one is superimposed.
Insta pro tip: the famous Sossusvlei area has the most striking contrast between cloudless blue sky, red sand, and white clay.
Nazca Desert, Peru
The Nazca Lines, massive geoglyphs that appear as artwork only when seen from the air, are famous in this desert. The designs feature animals, plants, and humanoid figures cut into the land and have puzzled researchers for centuries regarding their purpose.
Pro tip: See these designs from above via booking a flight tour: jaw-dropping.
Sahara Desert, North Africa
The largest hot desert on Earth is located in North Africa, covering countries like Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali, Chad, and Tunisia. Geographical reports that the Sahara Desert is home to approximately 2.5 million people and various wildlife. Strangely enough, most of the Sahara isn’t made up of sand. Instead, it has enormous rocky plateaus, grasslands, and snow-capped mountains in the winter.
Tip: A Berber tent is a luxury camping with a view, and this is where you should sleep under the stars.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni is no ordinary desert—it’s the world’s largest salt flat, stretching over an astonishing 10,000 square kilometers. By the rainy season, the Salar becomes a beautiful natural mirror that combines the sky and Earth into a crazy reflection. This destination can only be experienced, not described, and needs to be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Pro tip: Bring sunglasses! Glare from the salt surface is no joke.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Nestled within the Namib Desert, Africa’s largest conservation area, Sossusvlei’s vibrant red dunes seem to emerge from a dream, ‘according to the Sossusvlei Namibia official website. But Dead Vlei, strewn with its dead camelthorn tree trunks against an endless white clay pan, is like a living Salvador Dalí painting.
Pro tip: It’s Worth climbing Dune 45 for sunrise and waking up early.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Often called the “Valley of the Moon,” Wadi Rum is a landscape of towering cliffs, natural arches, and endless red sand. Films like The Martian have used their cinematic beauty as a backdrop. The desert is inhabited by some Bedouins, who still live by their nomadic tradition but welcome visitors to participate in their traditional life.
Pro tip: Take a jeep tour to see the many wonders of Wadi Rum
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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