Picture yourself lying on the sandy desert floor, beneath a night sky filled with countless sparkling stars. The cool pre-dawn breeze gently brushes against your face as you tuck further into your blankets. Though surrounded by sleeping companions, you feel a serene solitude with only the occasional distant grunt of a camel breaking the silence.
After an enchanting camel trek across the stunning, rose-tinted sand dunes, I was eager to spend the night at a traditional Berber camp in the Moroccan Sahara.
Together with my fellow Busabout tour members, I was guided to the delightful Berber tents, which were prepared with our bedding for the night. We deposited our bags and then set out to explore the rest of the campsite.
Behind our tent, a handmade fence crafted from sticks surrounded our area, providing a sense of security against intruders while mainly serving to keep the blowing sands at bay.
At the far end of the enclosure, two desert-style outhouses stood surprisingly equipped with flushing toilets. Navigating to the restroom at night without any light was quite an adventure, yet it was a rare luxury to have such facilities in such a remote environment.
Before I could fully explore the camp, I noticed others waving excitedly from the top of the nearest sand dune. We hurried up the sandy slope to join them and were greeted with snowboards to use as makeshift “sand boards”.
Everyone took turns sliding down the dune, initially unsure but quickly getting the hang of it. While some of the guys ventured onto a steeper slope with one of the boards, the girls opted for a more creative approach. Facing the opposite side of the dune, we paired up and zipped down the much steeper slope while seated.
Weeeee!
Eventually, one by one, we grew tired and settled into the soft sand atop the dune. We spent some time chatting about our adventurous camel trek and dreaming of potential desert parties until the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, taking our laughter with it.
Suddenly, the sound of a cowbell rang through the air; it was time for dinner.
We gathered around a long wooden table formed from two smaller round tables, illuminated by candlelight and lined with tree stumps and rustic wooden chairs.
The meal began with a round of snacks, including nuts and popcorn, which we devoured instantly while eyeing more from across the table. This was followed by several baskets of warm bread paired with delicious olive oils and fresh olives. Next, we were presented with a Moroccan salad, featuring a colorful array of vegetables—cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and carrots—alongside rice and potatoes. The meal was complemented by a comforting vegetable soup, perfect for dipping the warm bread.
The main course consisted of large skewers of meat and one of my all-time favorite Moroccan dishes: a delightful stewed Berber chicken, resembling a tagine but with a lighter portion of steamed vegetables. Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, a generous selection of fresh fruit was served to finish our meal.
Amidst it all, a mischievous group of kittens appeared at our feet, meowing and procuring to join our feast. Cats had been a delightful theme throughout our Moroccan journey, but I was pleasantly surprised they had found us even in the desert.
Just as we were about to roll off our seats from indulging in such a feast, our Berber guides invited us over to the fire pit. We settled comfortably on chairs and cushions as the stars twinkled above us.
Then, the entertainment commenced.
The fire crackled and the Berber musicians played their drums, singing harmoniously. One song after another, we formed a circle, soaking in the music and the magical atmosphere of the desert night.
Our group members had the chance to join in with the Berbers until the night came to a close, and we took over the entertainment entirely. We couldn’t help but erupt into laughter as tunes from the Spice Girls and Hanson echoed off the distant dunes, but ultimately, it was time for sleep.
I dragged a thin mattress back to the fire pit, fashioned a pillow from my scarf, and snuggled under my blankets, ready for a peaceful night. Spending a night beneath the stars in the Sahara Desert was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
This trip was made possible by Busabout.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
