Sahara Desert Trek

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 47 reviews.

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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marguerite Thaller

TUNISIA: SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written January 2008
Excellent cultural experience and beautiful scenery. If it was not for the cold wind...
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The all of us racing over the tallest dunes (including our cook and our guides): so much laught, freedom, space , light, stay-in-the-moment, all-equal state of mind.
What did you think of your group leader?
She has chosen the right job. SHe can rought it without losing the smile on her face.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Winter in very cold!! Even during the day !! So if you can you wan't to chose Sept-Nov and March-May as the best time for this treck.
Be prepared to be in the middle of nowhere for 5 days: no shower, no power, very little mobile phone connection. Don't forget to ACTUALLY smear sunscreen on your face and wear a hat! Even better: ask a Bedouin to show you how to wrap your head in a scarf !
Bring snacks.
Read the trip notes and believe that you need to know everything written there.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes I write English like a French frog...
Judith Kennedy

TUNISIA: SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written January 2008
A fabulous experience to strip down to just you and nature with the sincere and fun assistance of the wonderful knowledgeable local guides.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1. Standing on the top of the world of dunes and seeing forever.
2. Sharing the early mornings with the guides making the sand bread as the warm sun rose swiftly in the skies with the camels just visible in the forefront.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was there to do everything he was meant to do but there was so much more to discover about Mohammed. I stayed up front mostly walking and learning about the history of the dessert and Tunisia and as well how to master walking in the dessert and much more.
He was excellent on all fronts!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
READ the brochure and advice sheets for what to bring. Be serious about your sun care and footwear and pack accordingly. It is not a fashion show but bring the best to ensure you are comfortable 24 hours. Remember everyone wil be doing the same and so if you don't have it someone else will!! Forget modesty!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go knowing that all rules are forgotten as you share this deep natural experience with 15 others from all walks of life. Allsocial barriers fall to the ground but quickly mutual respect for each other and our environment and guides develops. Just go with an open heart.
Judy Kennedy