AFRICA · DESERT CAMPS & BEDOUIN NIGHTS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 14 desert camps & bedouin nights tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
This morning or afternoon safari combines a quad bike ride, buggy drive, jeep trip through the desert, and a short camel ride at a Bedouin village. Guides such as Hassan Fawzy, Leticia, and Mohammed Salah explain Egyptian culture and keep the day moving. Afternoon trips add dinner and an oriental show.
“i liked the whole thing, especially the zoo in the desert”
Travel from Marrakech or Ouarzazate across the High Atlas to Merzouga, with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades and Todra Gorge. Ride camels at Erg Chebbi, sleep in a desert camp, enjoy dinner and Berber music, then return to Marrakech or continue to Fez.
“Chafik is the best, good music in the travel, good guide and good pilot”
Travel three days from Marrakech to Merzouga by 8 or 17-seat minibus, crossing the High Atlas and stopping at Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, and Todra Gorge. Ride camels at sunset and sunrise, sleep in a desert camp, and enjoy dinners, breakfasts, guides, entry tickets, and sandboarding. Drivers such as Abdul, Hussein, and Azzedine are often praised for careful, friendly service.
“It was a long excursion, but truly worth it. Mustafa and Azzedine made sure we were comfortable the entire time and were always attentive to our needs. Our tour guides were helpful, knowledgeable, and spoke multiple languages to accommodate our group. We even had a fun group chat where we shared music and photos along the way. I especially loved the desert experience with the bonfire and music — we danced and even got to play some instruments.”
Leave Marrakech for the rocky Agafay Desert, where you will ride a camel, eat tagine and couscous, and relax beside a camp pool. Guides such as Adil, Said, Rabiaa, and Hassan are praised for friendly service and clear pickup help. Allow more than four hours, especially if you add quad biking or stop at an argan-oil cooperative.
“amazing experiences highly recommended to anyone the driver was very friendly and helpful”
Leave Hurghada by hotel transfer for a 45-minute ATV ride across the Egyptian Sahara. After safety training, ride toward a Bedouin village, enjoy black tea, take a camel ride, and pause for mountain and sunset photos. Guides speak English, German, Russian, and Arabic. Bring a scarf, sunglasses, and closed shoes.
“Overall a great experience, exactly what you would expect from riding quads. Safety at the start was good for first time riders and they were very attentive over children as we had a 9 year old with us. Scarfs and googles are a must and would recommend being as covered as possible.”
Meet near Merzouga, leave your car at the arranged parking point, then ride camels into Erg Chebbi for sunset. You will sandboard, drink tea, eat dinner, hear Berber drums, sleep in a heated tent, and return after sunrise breakfast. English, Spanish, and Arabic guides are available, with guides such as Ahmed, Hamzi, and Mohamed el Qayed mentioned by name.
“Friendly staff, helpful and generous, plenty of time to enjoy the sights. Rooms were very nice and comfortable.”
Leave Fez at 7:30 a.m. with an English, French, Spanish, or Arabic-speaking driver such as Houcin, Tarek, or Mounir. Stop in Ifrane, the cedar forests, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before a 45-minute camel ride into Merzouga. Spend the night in a private-bathroom camp with dinner, music, and sunrise dunes.
“Our driver, Ael Yousfi Aziz, was amazingly friendly and informative. He transported us to many interesting stops in good time before our arival at the camp, and on the way back to Fes. We would, however reccomend that anyone who is tall (I am 6'3") avoids the back row of the minibus as there is limited legroom. The roads are generally good, but windy at times, so those with motion sickness should plan accordingly. Regarding the desert camp, the tents are spacious and comfortable, however lack heated water - keep this in mind if you are looking to take a trip in the winter. Overall, this is a very good…”
From Hurghada, you’ll receive a safety briefing, then ride an automatic quad for 40 km between the Red Sea Mountains. The tour also includes a brief camel ride, Bedouin village visit, tea, and optional BBQ dinner and dance show. Guides speak several languages, and groups are limited to 10.
“Hakuna Matata! everything was great and remember your hand may hurt”
Travel from Fès to Marrakech in two packed days with an air-conditioned van, a driver-guide such as Hakim, Ali, or Mehdi, camel rides at sunset and sunrise, and an overnight stay in Erg Chebbi. You will cross the Middle Atlas, pass Ziz Valley and Erfoud, and sleep in either a standard or private luxury desert tent.
“Ayoub B was a great driver! He looked after us with anything we needed. He got us to the desert safely and provided amazing hospitality throughout our whole trip.”
Meet at Mouhou Apartments in Merzouga at 5:00 pm, sip mint tea, then ride by camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Watch sunset from the high dunes, eat Moroccan dinner, hear Berber drumming, sleep in a nomad-style tent, and return after sunrise and breakfast. Youssef is one of the team members praised for helpful camel assistance.
“Nonostante abbiamo sbagliato a prenotare il giorno per l'escursione nel deserto, Youssef è stato fin dal primo momento comprensivo e disponibile e ci ha riservato la prenotazione per il giorno corretto, senza doverla rifare. Questo gesto è statRead more”
You’ll ride a quad through the Western Desert with the Sinai Mountains behind you, stop for Bedouin tea, take a short camel ride, and finish with dinner and live shows. Sun Pyramids Tours provides hotel transfers, guides, equipment fees, refreshments, and all listed activities. Bring your own scarf, sunglasses, and cash for optional extras.
“Quad biking was amazing as we were driving into the sunset. Camel riding was good but short probably less then 5 minutes, just be careful of people taking your phone for pictures and then asking for money. Show was good but a bit long with dinner in between. Dinner was nice, buffet style. Just be aware that there is extra charge for drinks and there will be children asking for money. Our guides were amazing, couldn’t have got any better. Transfer was also very good with good updates. Overall an amazing experience which we will remember forever.”
Spend six hours in the Hurghada desert with 4WD jeep driving, buggy and quad rides, a short camel trip, Bedouin dinner, and a traditional show. Guides such as Ahmed, Adel, Ramsey, Said, and Mustafa are praised for keeping groups safe and included. Expect dust, bumps, and optional paid photos.
“It was a very nice experience, I totally recommend it. The driver picked us up from the hotel (20 eur extra, totally reasonable) and brought us to the meeting point. from there we went to the bedouin village where the camel ride took place (1 lap, around 10 mins but my daughter loved it). Just a very important note here: the ride (30 mins) is VERY bumpy so if you suffer from motion sickness make sure to take some pills beforehand. maybe skip lunch also :)) After the bedouin village we returned to camp where we went on a drive with ATVs, Buggy and then had dinner and watched a…”
Ride a camel at sunset, make Bedouin bread, roast coffee, eat a generous four-course dinner, and watch the stars at BADU Camp. Guides such as Diaa lead the astronomy session in English or Arabic, with hotel transfers from Makadi Bay, Hurghada, Safaga, El Gouna, and Sahl Hasheesh. Expect a polished camp setting rather than a remote desert expedition.
“A beautifully arranged place where you are welcomed with warmth, emotion, and respect. A place where, for a few hours, you live like in the old days — simply and healthily. Somewhere you can admire the sunset in all its splendor, while sipping tea and listening to soft music. You can enjoy a camel ride, a meal that will keep you full for a week, or one that gives you the energy for an evening of dancing. And in the end... you rest under the stars. Wonderful people — it's worth it!”
Spend five hours in the Hurghada Desert on a Jeep safari from Makadi Bay. You will cross sand dunes, visit a Bedouin camp, ride a camel, eat Middle Eastern specialties, and watch music, belly dancing, and a snake show. Guides speak English, German, Russian, Spanish, or Arabic. Some departures also include quad and buggy rides.
“Toller Ausflug mit toller Crew! Hat meine Erwartungen weit übertroffen! Mach ich wieder!!!”
Pick a desert, a reef, a ruin or a reserve.
