Glamping in the Sahara
If you’re looking to unwind, disconnect, get bored and allow for some introspective thinking, the Sahara Desert is just the place for you. I took the trip over New Years and while it’s a haul to get there, it’s definitely well worth the journey. This adventure is not just about the beautiful sand dune destination it’s the wild journey in and out of the desert that’s really the part of the experience you’ll never forget.
Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp
We booked with Erg Chigaga Desert Luxury Camp. Co-owned by Nick who run logistics and bookings and Bobo, runs the camp itself. Bobo, a Berber, will personally make sure you have the best experience possible in the desert you can imagine and is there for your every need.
The drive from Marrakesh to the Desert Camp is 10 hours over the Tiz n Tchika pass and broken up into 2 days. You will stay overnight in the High Atlas Mountains which will be booked by Nick but paid directly to the accommodation. On the way you can stop at as many sights as you wish but would recommend Aït Benhaddou, the old Berber village that is built into the mountain side.
2 nights and one full day in the Desert Camp is plenty. There is a reasonable amount of stuff to do, like camel riding and desert walking and happy hour on top of the dunes but the journey to the desert is as much of the experience of the trip as being in the camp itself. In the camp the sunsets and sunrises are phenomenal. And each night get ready to huddle around the campfire and listen to Berber music via a portable amp and electric guitar.
Your drive back to Marrakesh will be done in one long 10 hour day. Get ready to hunker down. It takes about 3 hours to get out of the desert, up and down sand dunes for much of the way but you go through about three different desert landscapes which is incredible including herds of random camels along the way. Once out of the desert you can stop at Berber carpet making town of Taznacht, don’t worry they ship internationally! And the pottery making town of Tamegroute that also has an ancient Koranic library.
Insider tips:
If you get motion sick, plan accordingly. The drive through the High Atlas Mountains is windy and once you get to the desert you are literally 4x4 up and down sand dunes. Fun but not for the faint of stomach!
If you can plan around it, I would recommend flying Casablanca to Zagreb, just outside of the desert entrance on your way into the desert. This will save you about 6 hours of road time and you still get the drive through the high Atlas Mountains on the way back to Marrakech. The flights only go on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Before you enter the desert have your driver stop for head pieces. They are not just to look the part, but have practical application if there is a sand storm, which is inevitable. Trust me, you’ll be glad you have the coverage!
Plan your trip around a full moon. We were lucky enough to be there by happenstance on a full moon and watching the sun set and moon rise in the middle of the desert is one of the coolest things I have have ever experienced. Like a pendulum 18 degrees across from each other, down with the sun and up with the moon. Then walking back to camp via moon light from a full moon is a pretty magical experience, not to be missed.
Prepare to have no cell service and no internet while in the desert. Plan accordingly. And enjoy it!
Your passport must be valid for 6mo to enter Morocco - double check!
For your private transfer, I highly recommend Morocco Sunny Days. Yassine, one of the owners was our driver and he is incredible. Very knowledgable on where to stop an historical landmarks and he’s Berber so you can ask him all about the culture. But the best thing about Yassine was his spirit. He’s one of those people who it’s impossible to be around and not smile.
Tuareg Turban Desert Fashion
Our driver and new friend, Yassine from Morocco Sunny Days
Happy Hunting!
All image via She The Huntress
