Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela (Credit: Reddit, Facebook) What feels like a curse that has befallen the ravaged body of water, actually has a potent scientific explanation behind it. The consistent streak of lightning through almost 9 hours of the night, is something that strikes Lake Maracaibo about 297 days of the year, though the count can be as less as 140 or as high as 300. This phenomenon itself is called catatumbo lightning. Also Read: Unofficial Wonders of the World: The Devil's Kettle in Minnesota that Swallows Half a River, Fueling Theories of a Portal to Another Dimension What happens is that the warm, moist air from the Caribbean Sea collides with cool air descending from the surrounding Andes mountains around the mouth of the Catatumbo River. This triggers near-constant electrical storms producing dozens of flashes per minute, explaining its landscape feeling like its ever lit up in nature's screams for the better part of the night, and the year. Also Read: Unofficial Wonders of the World: Antarctica's Blood Falls Looks like a Horror Movie Scene - But Science Explains It The simple answer to this question is a 'yes', though a more nuanced explanation will reveal that you really have to commit to the idea of seeing the lightening-lit skies with your own eyes - and of course, necessarily with a carefully laid out plan and a specialised local tour operator due to the remote terrain of the lake as well as its infrastructural limits. Visitors typically take guided boat trips through the wetlands to palafitos or traditional stilt houses in remote villages like Ologa or Congo Mirador - imagine laying in a hammock and watching the storms overhead: that's the experience you're signing up for. Additionally, boat safaris around the southern marshes and gallery forests offer a chance to catch glimpses of howler monkeys, river dolphins, macaws and caimans making the entirety of the experience incredibly nature-led. A typical expedition to Lake Maracaibo will require you to commit anywhere between one night and 2 whole days. Local operators typically depart from Merida or San Cristobal with the experience being restricted to the cleaner southern end near Puerto Concha and the Catatumbo River delta - the north expanses being incredibly run over by contamination. A solo trip to this spot of the earth otherwise, promises to be a logistical nightmare. Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now. Aalokitaa Basu is a writer and Senior Copy Editor whose work explores the intersection of lifestyle, culture, beauty, wellness, and self-possession. H... View More