The desert...

“Often the desert is what we think it is… But the desert has meaning only if we spend time there, otherwise it gives us nothing… all that remains is a postcard, the picture of a lonely memory…”
Tahar Ben Jelloun

} Finding information is the first step towards the dune sands and the desert.
} Remembering the names of the guides, camel and mule drivers, is the first contact
} Taking off your shoes before entering a Muslim house is the first sign of politeness

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• Here is some advice for your next trip
  By reading it, you will avoid making mistakes.
  By following it you have already started to respect the Sahara: its people and its traditions, the beauty of its historic and natural heritage.

  • The desert is alive, an inhabited region. On a dune, you may meet a shepherd and his goats or a nomad on his camel. They are constantly on the move, to find the small resources that the desert can provide: water and rare pastureland.

  • They have their own way of life, their history, their traditions, their rituals.

  • Whenever you meet these people, you should never be inquisitive or judge them.

  • Wherever we are, in the villages, in the camping grounds or meeting people in the desert, we all must think of our gestures, just to avoid that our behaviour be considered disrespectful.

• Don’t take pictures without people’s agreement; don’t forget to thank them if they accept

• Accepting to drink tea...means having 3 glasses

• During the Ramadan period, it is better to avoid smoking, drinking and eating during the day in front of our hosts

• Respect prayer times

• Be discreet whenever you drink alcohol and wash your glasses yourselves

• The right hand is the pure one which you use to eat

• The left hand is the one you use for cleaning yourself. Out of respect, don’t touch food with this hand during the meals at our hosts’ homes.

• Presents and tips are given in thanks for something, as an exchange or a reward for the quality of a service. It’s never an obligation.

• Don’t give sweets, pencils etc...without any reason

• Don’t give out medication to individuals but to health centres or to your guide.

• Wear a respectable outfit. Try to avoid short and low cut clothes.

• There is no point in constantly asking how long it will be till the camping site is reached; time in the Sahara is between sunrise and sunset

• Avoid burning you waste in the fire used for cooking; before leaving the camp all waste will be burnt

• All prehistoric cave drawings and objects must be left untouched

• More so than anywhere else this tough but very fragile environment must be respected. There is something we can do to respect resources and handle detritus.

• We must save on water so use wipes instead of water whenever you can and do not pollute the wells.

• Take your waste such as cigarette butts, used wipes to the next town in a plastic bag.

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There is little rain in the Sahara. Water is rare. The flora is fragile. Nevertheless the nomads live here, in villages or camping sites with their families and their herds.

• Respecting water and wood is essential.

• That is why we use gas: for the nomads, using wood is the only way to cook.

• Let’s not forget to burn our toilet paper. In the desert it can remain for years, because the word “biodegradable” has no sense in desert regions.

Each person is responsible for his/her way of travelling...

•  We mustn’t forget that the people of the desert are our hosts -they would never say “no” even if our behaviour were offensive.

• Whenever you have a doubt about the right attitude, just ask your guide or someone working for the group.

• We are convinced that there are no bad tourists, but only uninformed tourists. We also think that respect guarantees a better encounter.

We will be happy to share our desert with you.