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.

Jonathan Simmons

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written April 2013
An awesome experience slightly spoiled by lack of attention to detail by Exodus
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sheer majesty of the desert is hard to describe. The oasis swim on the final afternoon was pretty magical, as was the unexpected appearance of a black clad Bedouin on a white stallion galloping up to the edge of the oasis - totally surreal
What did you think of your group leader?
Abdullah was just great. He had an authentic pride in his culture and heritage, a deep knowledge of the desert, a willingness to be helpful, a wicked sense of humour and a genuine friendliness. His lack of English sometimes hindered his ability to explain what was going on, but his natural friendliness overcame any problems
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't take an expensive camera. The sand will ruin it. Don't take too many clothes, you won't need them cos everything gets covered in sand in an instant. Don't underestimate the difficulty of this trek. No way is it "moderate". Make sure your boots are comfortable because you will get sand in your boots, in your socks and between your toes. Any tendency to blister will become exaggerated.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was an awesome trip. The desert is majestic but can be a very harsh mistress. If the wind blows, the sand gets everywhere, and I mean everywhere, and there is nothing you can do. The heat, wind and sand make the walking much tougher than the initial impression of the trek would suggest. The guides worked very hard and were very friendly. They did a great job, however, they were let down badly by Exodus' organisation on two fronts. Firstly, the individual tents were a disgrace. They were ALL broken in some way and not one of them had a zip that could be fastened. This meant that there was no possibility of keeping the sand out of the tent if the wind was blowing (which it did most of the time) not to mention the difficulty of keeping insects, spiders, scorpions and snakes out. This is just not good enough and must be remedied. Secondly, despite the tour leader requesting an extra camel, this was apparently refused by the company. There were only enough camels to carry baggage. On a trip in a climate as harsh as the Sahara, there will inevitably be casualties and a spare camel or two are essential for the safety and comfort of the group. On one day, we had three out of fifteen who were unable to walk. This meant that the baggage which was being carried by ten camels then had to be distributed among seven so that three could be made available for riding. This is not fair on the camels or their owners and given the low cost of hiring a camel, it should not be impossible to have a margin of safety. Finally, the hotel where we stayed on the final night was charming enough as long as the bathrooms were ignored. After dreaming of a hot shower for five days and being covered in sand from head to foot, it was a very sad disappointment to find that there was a pathetic dribble of lukewarm water for about fifteen seconds before it faded out to freezing cold. This is just not good enough. Come on Exodus, get the tents replaced, provide a couple more camels and find a hotel where the showers work! Get these details right and this trip would be perfect.
Louise Milne

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written March 2013
A true honour to see the Sahara through the eyes of the Bedouin.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Taking stock of the smell, sounds and simple pleasures of being in the Sahara desert.
What did you think of your group leader?
Abdallah was exceptionally proud of his heritage and his knowledge of the Bedouin way of life and survival in the Sahara was conveyed through conversations, songs and dance! Although I spoke no Arabic and very limited French, Abdallah's English was good enough for us to converse and I learned a lot from him.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go with the flow.
You get back what you put out...so make a point to talk/gesticulate with the camellers and leader. I loved the fact that we were led by bedouins rather than a health and safety obsessed 'tour leader'!
Responsibly hydrate (2L plus a day in an easy access pipe connected water bladder the best) and request rest stops as you require.
If you don't like sand in every nook and cranny- don't go!
Engage with the camellers and help out-after all it's team work and will create a brilliant bond between you, your fellow travellers and the Bedouins.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Feet, feet, feet. 99% of the team will get blisters, even in the most worn out, broken in walking boots. Everyone will have their own preference (but how do you know until you've walked 25kms in powder soft sand in 30+ degree heat?) but I would suggest taking walking boots, trainers and sandals and seeing which work best for you. My top tip..wear 'pop socks' under normal walking socks with trainers..worked for me..I was lucky.,not one blister.
It's hard work, but very rewarding. I'd grade it as Moderate plus, because even though the terrain is flat to undulating, the heat and the powder fine sand make it arduous at times. And don't neglect the fact that it's not all down to physical endurance, mental endurance is just as important. But I can defo say you'll be dead proud of yourself and your fellow walkers by the end!
I didn't pay for a tent, but as chance would have it there were plenty going free so when offered one I jumped at the chance. And yes, they have no zips (sand and zips don't mix) but instead ingenious looped string and metal eyelets worked a treat for privacy. As for the sand...a well placed camel blanket over the door/vents soon stops any coming in. The communal Bedouin tent is a cracking option but a tent offers you a wee moment to yourself to absorb the peacefulness of the Sahara and change/wash in private.
Although I would recommend sleeping outside of any tent. The only time I slept under canvas was after awaking to find that the strong wind had shifted sand around my sleeping bag cocoon until I resembled a dune!
Frances Anne

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written February 2013
A different kind of trek. Often enchanting but also at times quite harsh.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The landscape was so incredibly dreamy at one point (day three maybe, you just lose track of time/dates on this trek and place names are irrelevant) it was as if we were walking through a film set.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ali was pleasant and polite. He led us safely from A to B each day and the whole operation ran smoothly
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a tick removing tool and learn how to remove them safely. The camels carry them and they can transfer via the blankets used at night - one of our group was unlucky.
I'd recommend taking your own tin/plastic mug for tea and coffee. For obvious reasons, washing up is rather limited on this trek and the cups supplied were beyond ghastly! Having said that, none of us suffered any ill effects (as far as I know)
The actual walking is quite easy but wearing boots, rather than trainers, combined with long trousers will prevent the sand getting in. Some of our group had nasty blisters as a result of sand filled shoes.
Wrap around sunglasses (in my case cycling glasses) were a godsend when the sand started blowing around.
The evenings are spent sitting on the ground around the campfire and taking a frameless picnic seat is a great help for those of us getting on in years!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The camels are a big feature on this trek and I wish I'd read up more about them before I arrived. Their digestive system in particular, some of the noises they make are fascinatingly horrendous!
One aspect of the trek that I loved; because the trail is sandy and without rocks or other obstructions, it's so easy to look around and enjoy the views as you walk, no need to wait for stops.
Ian Barcham

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written February 2013
We can see pictures, watch TV documentaries or read books about the sahara, but to go there is something else. To see, feel, smell and touch the desert is something very special.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting by the fire and listening to the music being played by our guides. Very atmospheric
What did you think of your group leader?
He was ok but seemed disinterested and showed little enthusiasm as a guide and didn't seem to want to share his knowledge of the desert environment
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
A truly remakable place and well worth a visit.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The condition of the tents was very disappointing with nearly all the zips broken. They were tired and needed replacing. I am more than a little concerned because I had exactly the same experience when I went to Morocco in August 2012. What quality assurance checks do you make?
Jassy Davis

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written January 2013
A wonderful escape with brilliant guides, stunning landscapes and night skies.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the stars at night and then watching the moon rise was fantastic, as I'm used to the tungsten twilight of city living. The view from Ksar Ghilane over the dunes was also stunning. And, on the third night, when we played I Spy for about 45 minutes, making each other laugh a lot, was a great moment - a reminder of how little we really need.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohamed was a great guide - reassuring, hard-working and knowledgable. The team who worked with him were also very thoughtful, concerned that we enjoyed ourselves and worked very hard to make sure that we did.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Although Mohamed speaks English, being able to speak some French and learning some Arabic phrases will help you communicate with all the team.
Pack lightly - you need very little. I wore the same trousers and top in the day and then changed into the same thermals, base layer, trek pants, jacket and hat/gloves/etc in the night. We were lucky with the weather - very little wind and no rain, but everyone agreed we needed much less stuff than we thought.
Bring sweets to share (and try to make sure they are halal for the guides). There was plenty of food, but it is plain, basic fare. Biscuit break was much anticpated and when there were sweets to share as well, everyone's mood lifted. Breakfast is the amazing desert bread (cooked in ashes in the sand) and jam or cheese triangles. We thought that some Marmite or peanut butter would be nice. If you can bring some, your fellow travellers will love you!
Singing songs around the campfire was a highlight. Come ready to sing, especially songs with actions that everyone can join in with (whether they know English or not). Jokes, I Spy, charades - all brilliant for pasing the time and breaking down barriers.
If the weather is nice, sleep outside. Falling asleep looking at the stars is a lovely experience and if you're well wrapped, then you should be comfortable.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a great holiday and it felt like we'd were there forever - normal life seemed too far away to contemplate. Be ready to ditch your watches and clock watching and live in the moment, walking until the right spot to stop at is reached. Enjoy the simplicity and the lack of distractions.
Susan Smith

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written January 2013
Wild camping at it's best! Think sun and sand as a lifestyle rather than a day at the beach. For lunch a healthy salad is whipped up and served with freshly baked 'sand bread'. Add in the camels, starry night sky, rising moon and cheery Arab companions. Now you have the makings of a great adventure. Oops, forgot to mention the campfire cooking, fireside songs and the best coffee you could hope to wake up to. It certainly was a Happy New Year!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Waking up to see the camel silhouettes against the sunrise as they wandered across the front of our tent!
What did you think of your group leader?
The best! Informative, passionate, caring, reliable, interesting, funny......the list goes on!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In Dec/Jan it gets cold at night....bring layers!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You have to like sand....it gets EVERYWHERE!!
Maureen Fitzpatrick-Browne

SAHARA DESERT TREK

Written January 2013
The sandy powdery Sahara, with the feel on it's wind on your skin & the undulating dunes under your feet. What better back drop to digging in your heals for a 20km daily walk. The company of camels & the aroma of their daily fresh dung welcomes one to vastness of the desert. They are (camels) appropriately named the ships of the desert, as they glide & float along sandy Sahara. The sunset every night is the picture perfect view for a traditional beduion meal, of warm tusnisian soup with hand made unleavened bread, followed by cuoscous veges &/or lamb. Finally u are lullabied to sleep every night by the sound of the drums & the melody of songs by the local Saharans.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking up & down the dunes, watching & hearing the wind blow sand in all directions ,as it blows u sideways! Will never forget, the undulating scene of the dunes.The sound of the winds, & the feeling of maintaining your balance, as u avoid eating mouthfuls of sand,it floats in all directions.
What did you think of your group leader?
Amin was very helpful, educational, & always there to assist us all. Nothing was too much of an ask!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take googles !!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Must do in this life time!!!

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Our Clients’ Reviews

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK

SAHARA DESERT TREK