Fascinated for years by rugged movies featuring the Sahara Deseret as a backdrop, I only wish I had begun exploring the Sahara at a younger age…although the luxury tent camps provide the perfect base for me. I wish I had the stamina for days of an authentic Camel Caravan, off-piste! Romantic notions inspired by films: George Lucas and his world-famous Star Wars saga. The English Patient, The Sheltering Sky. March or Die, The Wind & The Lion, and never forget Lawrence of Arabia with Peter O’Toole, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Swoon!

My first luxury Sahara Desert client request was 18 years ago, it became the ‘talk’ of Silicon Valley peeps – an Over The Top family experience for a client big birthday. Random encounters meeting someone, one would say, Oh I know who you are – me, no I’m flattered, but I think you’ve made a mistake… No, you created the amazing desert experience for …Family, oh yes, that is me!  

A Journey that is well remembered by many. The father wanted to recreate a college memory of driving through Algiers – despite the heat, we designed a Journey in June. Beginning in Marrakesh, staying at the stunning three-bedroom riad at La Mamounia with its own pool and gorgeous gardens. Enjoying the city of souks and snake charmers for a few days we then moved them to the desert. Whisking the family from Marrakesh by helicopter to the Sahara Desert flying over the dramatic snowcapped High Atlas Mountains – sweeping over vast valleys dotted with colorful Berber villages. Skimming low along the Draa valley to land at an ancient, fortified village and nomadic museum. They enjoyed lunch with a local family. The teenage children shared life experiences and learned regional customs of the village children. A soccer ball always helps to break the ice! Imagine a 4-wheel drive adventure through sandy trails, blooming acacia and tamarisk trees to the dunes, reaching the most elaborate and important kasbahs in the Dades Valley.

You’ve seen these valleys and vistas shared by movie makers for years including Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth – one of the most dramatic sights in this barren region.

Meet your camels at end of day for a ride to the highest dunes climbing to the peaks for a spectacular sunset over the Sahara Desert. A leisurely ride back to their private luxury desert tent erected in the middle of the desert.

Imagine the quiet and the vastness of looking as far as you can see – the wide horizon seems to never end. In the evening, local nomadic Tuareg joined the family for dinner and taught everyone traditional drumming.

Sitting beneath an endless blanket of twinkling stars, an astronomer pointed out distant galaxies and identifies the stars, originally named by ancient Arabs who navigated these sands. Camped in the historic and legendary Caravan Route from Marrakesh to Timbuktu, dreams of exotic adventures are guaranteed. Sunrise – a dawn camel trek, of course!

Private plane to Fes for additional sightseeing in the fabled city, the kids were happy to reach a swimming pool again in the early summer heat. But this adventure still draws interest and is well remembered by family friends as well.

I’ve stayed at a few Sahara camps and have now found a modern and comfortable luxury camp worth returning to next year. Merzouga Desert offers comfortable air-conditioned tents, running showers and comfort at the highest level. It demands nothing much of you, but to relax and gaze at the ever-changing colors of the desert landscape.

Situated in the quiet and idyllic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, it’s the perfect location for travelers seeking uncompromising privacy and solitude in the desert dunes.  

Using our private driver, or if you prefer, helicopters, we can still design the private OTT experience, but the Merzuga Camp is an extremely comfortable alternative, located an hour and half drive from Erfoud.

Sunset Camel rides through the dunes on seemingly friendly camels – after an Egyptian camel tour with a growling camel, I broke up with Camels! On my last visit to this camp, the blue garbed men assured me they only have friendly camels, I was happy to sit with a glass of bubbly at the edge of the dune for sunset. I’m visiting again in April and will make Camel friends for a few desert treks.

I’m enchanted by the immense quiet and inky black skies, blanketed by millions of stars. A luxury Tent Camp, Glamping like a true Berber Nomad with modern day comforts, includes authentic Moroccan dinners with local musicians.

Our second day will include an off-road buggy excursion through the dunes.  Look for me in early spring, my Nomadic cravings for Morocco will again be realized. Always on the move, just as a desert camel roams.

Highly Recommend Sahara Luxury Desert Camp