Whatever our mode of travel, a 4×4 is essential to reach the bivouac, so Mohamed has arranged to meet us in the village of M’Hamid el Ghizlane. The cost of the journey …
Access to the camp is often in the afternoon.
In a 4×4 on the tracks, shaken by the pebbles of the reg or slaloming through the sand dunes, the crossing of the desert resembles a safari where, with a bit of luck, we may come across antelopes, donkeys and herds of dromedaries or goats.
This journey, punctuated by stops to observe animals and plants, take photographs and meet settled nomads, can last from an hour and a half to two hours.
After this transition from the village to the bivouac, discovering the camp in the depths of the dunes surprises and amazes.
Our hosts welcome us and introduce us to our tent and the facilities (toilet block, dining area). They offer to share a cup of tea to get to know each other.
The first thing we wanted to do in the camp was climb one of the peaks to admire the immensity of the dune landscape before exploring it.
It is best to book the camels in advance and to plan the walk for the evening or morning to avoid the sun beating down.
Tourists can choose to watch the sunset on foot or by camel.
On the way back, Ali prepares a delicious dinner of traditional Moroccan cuisine (starter, main course and dessert).
To spend the evening, a campfire made from dead wood salvaged from the desert is lit. After the meal, we can gather around this fire under the celestial vault, for a moment of conviviality: exchanges of words, music and songs, depending on the evening.
The Saharan sky is often clear, offering an exceptional view of a multitude of stars, planets and asteroids
Depending on the time of year, we wake up later or later, and the closer we get to June, the earlier we have to wake up to witness the appearance of daylight and the emergence of the sun in the dunes. The light and colours are different every day.
With our appetites whetted by the morning climb in the sand, breakfast awaits us until 10am.
Tea and coffee as much as you like are served with traditional bread, which you can choose to eat with jam, cheese, date marmalade or eggs, which are served hard-boiled or as an omelette, depending on the morning.
In the desert, you should always bring a bottle of water with you.
Stay hydrated and remember to protect your skin, eyes and head.
Some people fear boredom and worry about the activities, but this fear vanishes when they get there.
The camel ride, the duration and price of which are agreed at the outset, is an original experience.
The sealed dromedaries are seated on the ground, we mount them and then with a game of tilts, the dromedary stands up on its feet again, we then feel a little high. The sensations experienced as the animal walks vary depending on the terrain.
The camel driver will suggest we get off the camel and walk to a summit from where we can contemplate the expanse of the Sahara. We’ll scan the criss-crossing valleys and sand hills, curves and arabesques in shades of gold and ochre, depending on the light.
And we return to camp once again on the back of this strange and admirable animal, so well adapted to its environment.
At the bivouac, we can choose to rest in the shade or in the sun. The desert helps to relax the body and calm the mind.
It’s surprising to rediscover the notion of « silence ».
If you prefer to get moving, 2 boards are available free of charge for sliding down the sandy slopes.
Weather permitting, we can set off on foot to explore the area around the camp, taking a few bearings or equipped with GPS to avoid getting lost.
A day’s bivouac has already passed.
Many tourists, limited by the length of their trip, say they regret leaving so quickly, while others, with the flexibility of their tour schedule, ask to stay on. Depending on bookings, this is sometimes possible.
Immersing yourself in the desert is a very personal experience, which for some can be emotionally intense and difficult to put into words, but for all is a unique and unforgettable experience.