In honour of Earth Day 2015, I have compiled a list of my favourite sunsets and sunrises around the world. I think that sunrises and sunsets are one of nature’s greatest shows, and taking the time to take either one or both in is a great way to bookend a day of travelling. By no means a comprehensive list, here are some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises I have seen around the world:
1) Pays Dogon, Mali
![]() |
Yup, I cried. |
After three days of hiking in semi-desert heat and eating dried out “cliff bread”, I was awarded with this superlative sunset from the top of the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali’s Dogon Country, which is one of the most unique and memorable places I have been.
2) Nungwi, Zanzibar
![]() |
Pictured: bliss. |
Zanzibar sunsets will always have a special place in my heart, as that was where I first set eyes on the Indian Ocean. Sitting out on a table on the sand and watching fishermen bring their nets while sipping on a Tusker is about as blissful as it gets.
3) Prince’s Island Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
![]() |
Inspiration can be found at home too. |
I used to have the luxury of walking to work through Prince’s Island Park, home to the iconic Calgary Folk Music Festival and the perfect place to spot a beautiful wintry sunrise.
4) Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA
![]() |
Sunset and a storm. Two of nature’s best shows in one! |
Great Sand Dunes NP is by far one of my favourite places I have been in the USA. Massive, Sahara-like sand dunes are dwarfed by the surrounding Sangre de Christo mountains making it seem like you’re on another planet. We caught this sunset while a storm approached. Shortly after taking this picture, we were huddling in our tent waiting for the rain to pass.
5) Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
![]() |
Being up early is relatively easy when this view greets you. |
In order to make the 2+ hour drive and be briefed and ready at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to accomplish a lifelong dream of spotting a gorilla in the wild, we had to wake up at 4:00am to be almost left behind when our boat to the mainland where the driver was waiting left 15 minutes early. The only thing that mellowed that brutally early wake-up and the stress of almost being left behind on one of our big ticket items during our East African adventure was this otherworldly sunrise.
![]() |
Oh, and the sunsets were pretty great too. |
There you have it, among many other feats, the Earth does an amazing job of putting on a superb twice-daily show for us. Where have you seen some amazing sunrises and sunsets?
Gorgeous photos! Love this post!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.