The days are yours
to partake in as much
or as little as you
choose, although
there’s always
something to do. Take a
camel ride to an oasis,
where you’ll find a
three-course lunch
ready and waiting for
you under the shade of
a palm tree. Look out
for goats, donkeys and
wild camels as you dine. Try sand-
boarding down the dunes, or climb to
nearby peaks and indulge your inner
photographer. Or simply while away the
day in a shaded hammock or deck chair,
sipping chilled water or a gin and tonic
from the DIY bar. Just remember — it’s
going to be hot. Plan your wardrobe
appropriately and pack lots SPF 50+, no
matter the time of year you choose.
One of the most gorgeous times in the
Sahara is dusk, when the rippling sand
takes on all the colours of the sunset. Ask
Bobo and the team to organize pre-dinner
drinks atop one of the area’s picturesque
peaks. Be brave — you’ll need to bump
over some slippery dunes in a 4x4 to get
there, but the exhilarating, bone-shaking
journey is worth it. Stretch out on plush floor
cushions with a cold drink and watch the
sun slowly slip beneath the horizon. You’ll
be moved by the hush of the desert at
nightfall. Back at camp, after a hearty meal,
settle down together under the stars. With
no phone, internet or television as
distraction, life’s simple pleasures — a game
of scrabble or backgammon, satellite-
spotting on the sand or listening to the
nightly musical entertainment provided by
camp staff — are brought into sharp focus.
Fancy a little more privacy? Look into
the option of the private camps or nomadic
camping experiences. The private camps
are located close to the main hub, but are
set up just for the two of you. Count the
stars during dinner and wake to your own
private sunrise. For an even more
adventurous option, trek across the dunes
on your own camel train to a different
location each night. Your guides will
prepare meals and set up camp, so all you
need to do is marvel at the untamed beauty
of your surroundings. While this nomadicWHEN TO GO
Moroccan summers are blisteringly hot, so
it’s best to avoid taking a trip over July and
August. Instead, consider March and early
April, or October and November, which are
temperate in Marrakech and ideal for
travelling to the desert. And while it may be
chilly in the medina between December and
February, the buzz continues and the Sahara
will offer idyllic warm days and nights that are
perfect for snuggling.CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Inside the plush
tents. A family of local camels. One of Erg
Chigaga’s brightly-dressed staff — the camp
shimmers in the background.option is slightly more rustic than what’s on
offer at the permanent camps, it’s a totally
unique opportunity you’ll be able to boast
about for the rest of your lives.292 | bridetobe.com.auMOROCCO