The Sahara. Yours alone. · Umnya Desert Camp, Erg Chegaga, Sahara Morocco

The Sahara. Yours alone.

Where the desert falls silent, and the stars feel close enough to touch.

أُمنية  ·  Arabic & Berber  ·  noun

umnya

A wish. A deep desire. An intention sent to the night sky. In Erg Chegaga, the Milky Way falls so low it feels within reach. No city. No noise. Just the silence, the stars, and you.

We chose the name deliberately.

Luxury Glamping · Erg Chegaga · Moroccan Sahara

Eight tents.
One horizon.

Handcrafted Berber suites with en-suite bathrooms, private terraces and dune views deep in Erg Chegaga. No Wi-Fi. No agenda. Just the Moroccan Sahara and complete silence.

Dining is three courses of slow-cooked Berber cuisine each evening, served under Bortle Class 1 skies you will not find anywhere else.

Discover the Camp
Umnya Desert Camp luxury Berber tents at sunset, Erg Chegaga, Moroccan Sahara

Experiences

For Retreat Organizers

Bring Your Retreat to the Sahara

Full camp privatization for 8 to 20 guests, net trade rates for professional organizers, and a detailed proposal within 24 hours.

Guest

“I've travelled to over 40 countries and nothing quite prepared me for Umnya. The silence, the stars, the warmth of the team. It felt like being handed back something I didn't know I'd lost. Already planning to return.”

Sarah M.  ·  Toronto  ·  March 2025

The Clearing · CEO Reset Retreat

A retreat for those who lead.

Five days. Six founders or senior executives. Erg Chegaga, Moroccan Sahara. No agenda. No keynotes. A structured silence designed to reset perspective at the level it operates.

By application only

Learn More
Sahara desert panorama, Erg Chegaga Morocco luxury glamping

The desert is waiting.

Questions we are asked most

Answered plainly, including the parts that are not selling points

Where is Umnya Desert Camp located?
Umnya Desert Camp is located in Erg Chegaga, the largest dune field in Morocco, approximately 60 km from M'Hamid El Ghizlane in the Draa-Tafilalet region. It sits deep in the Moroccan Sahara, accessible only by private 4x4 or helicopter from Marrakech (about 8 hours 45 by road, of which the last 60 km is 1h30 of unpaved piste, or 1h40 by helicopter).
How many tents does Umnya Desert Camp have?
Umnya Desert Camp has eight private luxury Berber suite tents in Erg Chegaga. Each tent includes an en-suite bathroom with solar-heated shower, private terrace facing the dunes, high-quality linens and handcrafted Berber furnishings. The camp can be fully privatized for groups of 8 to 20 guests.
What is the best time to visit the Sahara in Morocco?
The best time to visit Umnya Desert Camp and Erg Chegaga is from October to April, when daytime temperatures range from 15 to 28C and nights are cool and clear. December and January offer the coldest nights (ideal for stargazing) while March brings beautiful light and mild weather. Summer (June to September) is very hot and not recommended.
Can you book a private exclusive buyout of Umnya Desert Camp?
Yes. Umnya Desert Camp offers full camp privatization for groups of 8 to 20 guests. The exclusive buyout includes all eight tents, private chef, butler service, bespoke activity program and optional helicopter transfer from Marrakech. The camp is regularly booked for corporate offsites, wellness retreats, family gatherings and weddings in the Sahara.
Is there WiFi or phone signal at Umnya Desert Camp?
Umnya Desert Camp is located 60 km from the nearest village in Erg Chegaga and has no mobile phone coverage. There is one exception, and it has quietly become a ritual: from the top of the big dune behind the camp, a 4G signal appears. Guests walk up before dinner, send whatever needed sending, and come back down. It takes about twenty minutes, and the view is the better half of the errand. The near-total disconnection is one of the camp's defining features and the foundation of its digital detox and executive reset retreats.
What kind of retreats does Umnya Desert Camp offer?
Umnya hosts digital detox retreats, burnout recovery stays, yoga and meditation retreats, astrophotography retreats, team building and corporate incentives, CEO reset programmes, destination weddings, honeymoons, women's wellness retreats, and spiritual retreats. All programmes are built on full or partial camp privatization.
How dark is the sky at Erg Chegaga for stargazing?
Erg Chegaga has a Bortle Class 1 sky rating, the darkest level possible. There is no artificial light within 40 km. The Milky Way is visible with the naked eye and casts a faint shadow on clear nights. The site is exceptional for astrophotography and professional astronomy sessions. Umnya Desert Camp offers stargazing evenings with telescopes as part of its activity program.
What is the helicopter transfer from Marrakech to Umnya Desert Camp like?
Helicopter transfers depart from Marrakech Menara Airport (IATA: RAK) and land directly at the camp in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. The aerial approach over Erg Chegaga, with the camp visible in the empty dune field below, is a signature arrival experience. Private jet arrivals at RAK can connect directly to the helicopter transfer. The service operates on request.
Does Umnya Desert Camp offer corporate and team building retreats?
Yes. Umnya is regularly privatised for corporate offsites, executive retreats, and team building programmes. The combination of full privatisation, absolute disconnection, camel treks, 4x4 excursions, stargazing, and Berber cooking creates an environment that produces genuine team cohesion. The camp accommodates groups of 8 to 20 and tailors the programme to the company's objectives.
What cuisine is served at Umnya Desert Camp?
Umnya serves slow-cooked Berber cuisine each evening, prepared by the camp kitchen and served under the open sky or around a fire. Menus include tagines, couscous and traditional Saharan dishes using local produce. Breakfast and lunch are lighter and served to the rhythm of the group. For full privatisation bookings the kitchen can operate under a private chef with bespoke menus.