SAHARA DESERT TREK

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Peter Eliott

  SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written April 2009

  An excellent introduction to the desert for the novice, a more-or-less gentle stroll for the desert addict. This part of the Sahara is scenic rather than dramatic, but the view over the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental is a classic 'Hollywood' desert image. You will experience the silence and isolation of the desert (and the night-time stars of course) even though human habitation is never too far away. Mostly though you will be alone, just the group and the guides and the camels, and that's the whole point of the trip.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Starlit skies, learning how to tie cheches and shemaghs, spicy soup, camels. And on my trip, the collapse of the communal tent (someone knocked over the main pole). After a long walk in the desert though, a hot spring in an oasis is a welcome sight indeed.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mohammed was friendly and knew the desert, but was not at all intrusive. His geography lessons and talks about Arabic numerals were entertaining ways to start the day.

  The camel drivers were also keen to make sure we were happy; the trek was more than 'just a job' to them.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This really is a desert trip. Depending on flights, you will see a little bit of Tunis in the dark, then you'll see the Atlas Mountains flash past as you drive to and from the desert.  So, if you want to visit Roman sites or spend your days shopping in souks, this is not for you.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The food is good but simple; be aware that the only bread available in the desert will be cooked on the campfire. It can be an acquired taste, but is excellent dipped in the spicy soup.

  Take some boiled sweets; they will add interest to the water you really must drink on the trek.

   
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  Andrea Harrington

  SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written April 2009

  A wonderful trip that allowed the opportunity to be alone with your thoughts while trekking across the varied terrain of the beautiful desert. Serene, scenic and the great feeling of isolation only broken by the occasional reminder that we were just on the edge of the desert. Our group was mostly solo travelers (we were the only two traveling together in our group, I brought my teen daughter who loved the trip), which afforded all of us the ease of wandering alone or with others when desired. Choosing a trip like this really brings like-minded travelers together and there is an ease within the group. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There is one point when we walking along some of the dunes and they stretched on and on and I thought that all the walking was worth that view alone. Naturally the stars each night too, were amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mohammad was a gentle, fun guide. He made everyone feel welcome right away and pretty much left each to their own thoughts and dreams, while sharing information at appropriate times. The camel drivers though were the driving force in camp. They were out-going, friendly and a happy crew who worked their butts off getting everything set up and down, and keeping us quite entertained. They looked like they were enjoying themselves as much as we were, and we never felt that they were just 'doing their job'. It made a difference.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As others have mentioned, wet wipes and toilet paper are your dear friends. We had a bit of wind on and off, so the headscarves came in very handy, you can get them at the last stop before the trek starts. The sand is very fine and soft and gets everywhere, ziploc bags are key, and you'll still take quite a bit of the desert home with you. Sunscreen! At times, a couple of us walked in sandals and not boots, so if you usually trek in those, bring them.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We spent the first day in Djerba and met the group the following morning, which allowed us a bit more time to wander around the town, which was welcomed. There are only a couple of hours on the last day to see any of it otherwise. Giving up the long lunch followed by a short nap was difficult after returning home! 

   
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  Josephine Cornforth

  SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written March 2009

  A truly amazing experience!! Our guide, Mahommad is very knowledgeable and has taught us alot during our trip. Tunisian soup is something you could die for every night even it was not cooked using an electric or a gas cooker, just purely simple very traditional cooking method yet is still extremely tasty and healthy! Lots of hard work trekking in the desert for days and days but when you see the stunning view right in front of you, it makes the whole journey worthwhile. Words could not describe all the amazing things I have experience during my trip, you have to go and experience it yourself!  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  On the last night at our last campsite in the desert, the full orange moon and the clear bright shinning stars lited the whole sky is something so spectacular and so amazing. Having hot soup and Tunisian cous cous round by the warm fire with the whole team mates, looking up the sky full of twinkle stars and having camels wandering around you, chats and laughters among us. This is truly an unexpected spectacular experience that I will never forget.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mohammod is amazing with his knowlege of geography and history. Looked after us very well and make sure that all our needs were taken care of. I love his every morning classes with us that he has got all our attention and we have learnt really good lessons from him.

  A very respectable tour leader though quiet at time but he joined in to have some fun with us appropriately.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Remember to pack lots of wet wipes, e.g. toilet wipes, body wipes and hand wipes and compeed blisters plasters as you will need it in this trip, and anti bacteria hand gel. You don't get to have a proper wash when you out in the desert so go prepared and you'll enjoy the rest of the whole trip. Don't pack too much clothings, travel light. 20kg rucksack is not required, just use a light weight backpack that is enough to carry 2 litres of water. As this trip requires lots and lots of walking every day, you don't want to carry a big rucksack to weigh you down. Best time to travel is between November to end of March when the weather is cooler during the day but it gets extremely cold at night, so wrap up warm especially if you are sleeping in an open big tent (that sleeps 8 people).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Change your Dinar currency only when you arrive at the Tunis airport and remember to change it back before you depart at the airport. Euro is the main popular currency in Tunis airport, so make sure you have enough to shop at the airport duty free.

  If you loved spicy, e.g. chillies, don't forget to give Harrisa chillies a go! Must give the Tunisian soup, the briq and the Saharan bread a go!!! At Matmata, got to try another kind of bread which you to dip it with honey and olive oil, you'll get it when you walk in to a local family house. This is their way to welcome you to their humble home. You have not been to Tunisia if you don't try any of their local food when you are there!

   
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  Chris Binns

  SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written January 2009

  As I said to my daughter and boyfriend who came along too, 'Which would you rather be doing for New Year - getting a good soaking in the Trafalgar Square fountains or toasting in the year beneath the diamond bright desert stars whilst sat around a camp fire with Exodus friends.'    

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting up whilst it was still dark, warming myself by the campfire and watching the desert sunrise.

  Still in the dark, watching the skilled Berber camel guide make our breakfast desert bread in the embers of the campfire.

  Plunging into the hot water pools at Ksar Ghilane after five dusty days trekking over the Sahara desert.

  The awe inspiring silence and unsullied cleanness of the desert.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mohammed was top drawer. Patient, time for everybody, thoughtful, knowledgeable, with a sense of humour , fun to be with and caring. Everything you'd expect from an Exodus guide.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Once you set off there is not water for washing - take plenty of wet wipes, snow goggles in case of a sand storm (we had one which lasted 24 hours), warm clothes (layers) and a good sleeping bag (for winter period travellers), the best torch to take is the head mounted diode type (handy in your tent and around the camp fire so you can see your plate and find the loo in the dark).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would have thought the holiday even better if we had had an extra day at the end of the trip in either Djerba or Tunis to do a little local sightseeing and leisurely shopping before returning. This would have given one a more rounded flavour of Tunisia.

   
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  Sue Jarvis

  TUNISIA: SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written April 2008

  This is an amazing experience in an extraordinary landscape but beware of the extremes of heat. The team spirit was an incredible support in soaring temperatures.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Sleeping under the stars was a highlight (as long as you dont mind insects). The sight of the oasis from the dunes and swimming in the spring were very welcome.

  A cool (ish) "fanta" or "Coke" in a small desert cafe after drinking hot water for three days was like nectar from the gods.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader was very informative about the wildlife and geography and was very supportive when a couple of us were finding it hard going in the heat. Sometimes I would have liked a little more information when plans needed to be changed but I think that the abnormally high temperatures had taken both our leader and the drivers a little by surprise.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for the full range of temperature. We didnt need our warm sleeping bags or thermals but an insulated water bottle and some cooling sprays would have been useful. Dont under-estimate how much your feet will swell in temperatures around 50C- take thin socks and lots of blister treatment. A few light weight luxuries like a fruit sweet or a mouth wash may help to quench the thirst.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip was much harder than I anticipated because of the temperature. Although this was abnormally high, according to the camel drivers and leader, I think the range should be emphasised more in the trip notes. We were all much more prepared for cold nights - which we didnt get - than for very hot days. The walking isnt difficult but unless you enjoy hot temperatures this trip is probably more relaxing earlier in the season. This was a challenge and you learn to rely on others and yourself in a wonderful environment.

   
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  Alan Punter

  TUNISIA: SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written January 2008

  Very good stroll through desert scenery - scrub-land and small to medium dunes.  Not strenous walking - flat, easy conditions under foot and no great length each day.  Really feel away from home & office. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Dancing the conga around the campfire on New Year's Eve!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Well organised - all the logistics worked very well.  Tried to answer all our questions.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  At inbound airport transfer at Tunis, follow signs to right for Internal flights after exiting customs (do not go upstairs for Departures).

  Save salt/pepper sachet on plane for use on hard boiled eggs for breakfast at hotel next day.

  Believe that it can be cold in the desert, day and night.  Took a few days to realise really needed to wear extra layers during day and evening.

  Head torch is essential around camp in evenings/night.

  Take some marshmellows to toast over campfire.

   
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  Anne Wilkinson

  TUNISIA: SAHARA DESERT TREK

  

  Written January 2008

  I loved it.   I was a bit worried about my stamina and camping out for a week as I hadn't done anything like this in a very long time.   However, the pacing of the days was just right and I was in a really great group so that even the nights when I didn't sleep too well didn't matter.  I'm already thinking about my next trip! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting to the top of the high dunes - the day was perfect and the light and shadows unbelievable - I didn't want to come down.  Secondly the stars - no light pollution meant we could see everything and it was fantastic.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  She was lovely.   Always had a smile, always available and unobtrusively watchful to  ensure that the pace suited everyone and no one lagged behind.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you have a new sleeping bag, make sure it's comfortable before you go.   Unfortunately, while mine was very warm, it had a synthetic lining which stopped it breathing very well - I felt damp most nights which did not aid restful sleep.

   

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