Camping in the Sahara Desert, A Moroccan Adventure

Welcome to the 426th Metamorphosis Monday!

It’s Sunday evening in Marrakesh. As I type this, I find myself perched on a tiny stool in the corner of my hotel room. The hotel is lovely, but like all the hotels we’ve stayed in during out time here in Morocco, sans one, the concept of providing patrons with a proper desk, chair and WiFi fast enough to do anything other than access email and Facebook (and sometimes not even that) is merely a snake charmer’s pipe dream. Only one hotel has had adequate WiFi and that was The Berbere Palace in Ouarzazate. Wish I was there now.

 

For this week’s Metamorphosis Monday, I thought I’d share our tented camp in the great Sahara Desert. I have to make this post short on words since it’s well after midnight here now and I need to be up early for our final day in Marrakesh tomorrow.

When we first arrived, this was our view of the camp. The tents are made of goat/sheep wool-fabric. Not sure how well it keeps out rain since we didn’t have any of that during our stay, but it definitely doesn’t keep out the super fine desert sand when the winds blow ferociously at night. That’s another story for another day. If you have thin, fine hair, visit the Sahara. It will be thicker than you’ve ever seen after just a couple of days. Remember, it’s “adventure travel” when you travel with Overseas Adventure Travel. 🙂

 

The little stools visible in the picture below, hold down the “walkways” which are really just rugs. For the most part they work very well as paths, that is until the strong Sahara wind has its way. Then the paths slowly begin to vanish as the desert sands do their best to swallow them up whole.

 

My tent was the last one on the left and I eagerly stepped inside to explore.

 

I didn’t realize it had a back door at first because it was partially hidden by the “doorway” of the shower on the left. The doors for the shower and toilet areas are zip closures. I think I have a photo of the shower somewhere, will add it to this post once I’m back home and have faster internet.

My tent was furnished with a chair, a small coffee table, and a bed. The only thing I’d love to have seen added was a couple of hooks on the wood frame of the tiny windows on either side. Hooks would be wonderful for holding coats, hats, etc…

 

You can see one of the tiny windows near the ceiling of the tent in the photo below.

The bed, though starting to sag a bit in the middle, slept very well. It was warm and cozy, important for those chilly desert nights. The only complaint I had was with my pillow. It was one of those fat ones that makes you feel like you’re sleeping with your head propped on a step or shelf. That’s a problem I tend to have no matter where I stay when traveling.

 

My comfy bed and the offending pillow. 😉

 

Our tents had working toilets and showers which was wonderful! They also had electricity, as long as you didn’t mind the occasional bzzzzzzz tickling your fingers if you touched the electrical box surrounding the switch.

 

The view out my back door: the vast Sahara Desert!

 

The sand is the most amazing color of orange. Just beautiful! If you follow BNOTP on Instagram, you saw this photo earlier in the week.

 

The sunsets are spectacular, as are the stars that follow. There was no real way to photograph the stars for you, but just imagine your average nighttime sky back home and add another 40 billion, million, zillion, ka-trillion stars. Yeah, that ought to about do it.

One of my favorite memories from our two nights camping in the Sahara Desert was the night a group of us stood for over an hour staring up in wonder at the gorgeous nighttime sky, trying our best to identify all the wonderful stars and constellations. Our guide, Issam, had an app on his phone and it helped greatly with that. It’s definitely a night I’ll never forget.

 

In the evenings after dinner, we all loved to sit and talk late into the night.

 

15 people who met as strangers…

 

All, now friends.

 

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Comments

  1. Beautiful images and just amazing experience. I’m so happy you got to go on this adventure. I love seeing what it was like because as you know this is the one thing I wished to do, but didn’t, on our trip. Eager to hear your thoughts on Marrakech. Safe travels home.

  2. Oh Susan I really enjoyed your photos. So many places to visit and so little time. Be safe. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures

  3. Wonder what makes the sand that color? Are there animals or large insects to be wary of there? It looks so romantic, like a setting from an old movie!

  4. Cynthia Raines says

    Suan, I am very happy for you and I am sure the “starry night viewing” will be a wonderful, vivid memory for a long time! Eager to have you home safe and sound. God speed. Hugs!

  5. Maggie Amis says

    Thank you for “taking us with you” on this adventure. The sand thing is funny – I now, when I am anyplace that is ‘sandy’ that the amazing stuff seems to be everywhere.

    The people you met, are they from all over the world?
    Is there a camel riding segment to your adventure?
    What are your doing to keep the sand from your camera?

    I guess I should stop with all the questions! Its early morning – and I just finished my first coffee!
    Happy Travels –

  6. Sounds like an awesome adventure Susan! Can’t wait to hear more.

  7. Susan, you are definitely experiencing a trip of a lifetime. I would love to see the nighttime sky as you described. I might find it hard to deal with the sand. Beautiful photos!

  8. Wow, you are brave, I can’t imagine!!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure and continuing the party while you’re in such an exotic locale!

  9. Susan,
    Beautiful pictures! Glad you having a wonderful time. I have traveled all over the world, but you are a whole lot braver than I am!!! My camel ride was a lot of fun, but I’m not so sure I would spend the night in the desert – what an adventure for you:)
    Take care and enjoy the rest of your trip!

  10. Thanks so much for the party each week!!
    Hugs.
    Debbie

  11. What an adventure! Thanks for taking the time to keep the party going.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  12. You are a brave adventurer, Susan. I always love my vicarious travels with you! Enjoy…

  13. Love your photos and descriptions. Hurry home so you can show/tell us more. The starry night sky sounds so awesome, but hard to imagine by this urban gal. What another great adventure. (don’t forget to update the travel map in your office)

  14. Oh, my, it sounds like this adventure is everything you hoped it would be (minus the pillow, of course!). I can’t even imagine what a desert night sky is like, but your obvious expression of awe makes it something I would LOVE to see. So glad you are enjoying your trip and group members. You are such a trooper to keep up your posts, keep us updated and still focus on your tour. Please remember not to worry about us here overmuch and soak up the experience, Susan. Enjoy your time! Rosie

  15. Wow! Just Wow, Susan! It’s amazing to see your photos you have been posting. I have been catching them on Instagram as well.

  16. I simply adore visiting exotic places vicariously through your wonderful blog posts!

  17. I am enjoying your travel adventures….as I did your travels to Italy, and Africa. Would love to be a mouse in your pocket! Sheila

  18. If I have to camp, I want a tent like that – with shower and toilet and electricity. You are so adventurous, and I’m loving seeing all your beautiful pictures of your travels. Hope you’re safely back home. Thank you for hosting in spite of your internet struggles.

  19. This was a beautiful post – I feel as if I was there, and loved the “shocking stories of their own”. Ha!
    Brava!

  20. Linda Page says

    Your trip has definitely been an adventure! Not sure how I would cope with so much sand!! Sunny and I are headed to Alabama for 8 days. Wish you could join us.

  21. sounds like an amazing experience. i love the jewel tones of everything in your lodging.
    b

  22. Marlene Stephenson says

    I know you are having an amazing time by looking at your pictures, thank you for sharing.

  23. rattlebridge farm says

    Susan, your trip looks amazing! Loved the photos!

  24. OMG – I love the tent and the pics. That is such a surprise about running water and toilet. How very cool. Can’t wait to hear and see more of your bucket list trip!

  25. Wow, what an amazing experience. I would never have guessed how big the tents are inside, or that you’d have an operating bathroom! I love reading about your travels. 🙂

  26. Juanita in OH says

    This trip has been truly wonderful for you and me, lol. The adventure’s are magnificent and I LOVE the color of the sand. It almost seems to be the color of gold when it’s in your hand. The tent is not my idea of a tent…I have no clue. If I could stay in one that would be it! I can’t wait for you to get home so that we may see more. I understand how annoying a computer can be when it won’t comply.

  27. What beautiful experience to have been there! Take care and enjoy the remainder of your adventure!

  28. Susan Champion says

    I enjoy reading all your posts. The travel posts make me feel like I have taken a journey myself. The only thing missing is sand in my shoes.

  29. What an amazing trip! Its a once in a lifetime experience for sure. Glad you are enjoying it to the fullest. Can’t wait to see more when you get back!

  30. I am glad you are having such a wonderful trip. I can not imagine doing this. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

  31. So interesting & Love the photos! Thank you for sharing your amazing trip!

  32. grammy goodwill says

    I am in awe of these pictures. What an opportunity you’ve had – staying in a tent in the Sahara Desert! I am completely awestruck.

  33. Glad you’re back home! You’re a great educational source for those of us who don’t travel. I can’t sleep on those fat pillows either. I’m wondering if a baby pillow or one of those Bucky pillows would help you. I have those and they come in handy. Going to Instagram to see your pics next!

  34. I’m so proud of you for taking a trip like this, I’m not sure I could do it. Your pictures are beautiful, the tents lovely and all the friends you make will last a lifetime I’m sure. I’m happy you were able to visit this beautiful place and see all the beauty God has make for us to enjoy. Looking forward to more pictures.

  35. Amazing trip. Makes me wish upon a star to have such an adventure. Lucky you! Thanks for sharing

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