1h - Multi-day
Camel Trekking
Cross the dunes the way nomads have for centuries, at the slow, contemplative pace of a camel.
Activities & Experiences
Adventure, wonder, and stillness, all in one place
Things to Do at Umnya Desert Camp
From sunrise camel rides to midnight stargazing, every moment is an invitation
1-2h
Sandboarding
Glide down the towering dunes of Erg Chegaga on a board, pure desert thrill.
Half or Full Day
4x4 Dune Bashing
Take the wheel on the dunes of Erg Chegaga coached by a professional with 15 years of Paris-Dakar experience. Private sessions, no other vehicles on the course.
Discover
Half/Full day
4x4 Desert Excursions
Explore hidden oases, lost villages, and remote dune fields in expert-driven 4x4 vehicles crossing the wild terrain of Erg Chegaga.
Evening
Stargazing & Astronomy
Under one of the darkest skies on Earth, witness the Milky Way, planets, and constellations like never before. Telescopes provided.
Evening
Berber Music & Storytelling
Sit around the fire as our team shares the songs, rhythms and tales passed down through generations.
1-2h
Yoga & Meditation
Practice on a private wooden deck overlooking the dunes, guided or self-led, sunrise or sunset.
Every Experience, in Detail
Indicative durations. Schedules adapt to the season, the weather and the logistics of the day.
Dining in the Desert
Lunch at the Restaurant
Lunch served at the camp restaurant in a comfortable and refined setting.
Experience. Welcome and seating, soft drinks, starter, main course, dessert and Moroccan tea. Free time to enjoy the camp before or after the meal.
1h30 to 2h
Lunch in the Dunes
A refined dining experience set in the heart of the dunes, in a private setting.
Experience. Private setup in the dunes, table-served lunch, Moroccan tea, followed by a peaceful moment of relaxation and reconnection with oneself.
2h
Nomad Dinner at the Restaurant
A dinner inspired by nomadic traditions, served in a warm atmosphere and centred around Moroccan flavours.
Experience. Aperitif, traditional dinner, dessert, Moroccan mint tea and Berber live music, subject to availability.
2h
Magical Dinner in the Dunes
A private dinner surrounded by the dunes, enhanced by an enchanting setup of candles and lanterns.
Experience. Departure towards the dunes at sunset, illuminated table setup, multi-course dinner, Moroccan tea, followed by a return to the camp under the stars.
2h to 2h30
Private Romantic Dinner in the Dunes
An exclusive experience for two, set in an intimate location in the heart of the Sahara, with champagne or wine available as an extra.
Experience. Private table set in the dunes, intimate setup, champagne aperitif, dinner, dessert and Moroccan tea, followed by a return to the camp.
2h30
Private Berber Picnic
A chic and authentic picnic inspired by Berber hospitality, set in an exceptional natural environment.
Experience. Departure to a carefully selected spot in the dunes, private picnic setup, lunch and soft drinks, champagne or alcohol available as an extra, free time to relax, followed by a return to the camp.
2h30
Desert Experience Romantic Picnic
A private romantic experience in the heart of the dunes, designed around an elegant and intimate setting.
Experience. Departure into the Sahara, carefully styled setup, champagne and a selection of food, private time overlooking the desert landscape, followed by a return to the camp.
2h30
1001 Oriental Nights
An immersive evening inspired by the world of the Arabian Nights, with Oriental decor, candlelight and a campfire beneath the stars.
Experience. Transfer to the experience location, discovery of the atmospheric setup, dinner, live entertainment, time around the fire, Moroccan tea and stargazing.
2h to 2h30
The Desert Itself
Walk with the Nomads
A gentle immersion into the traditional way of life of the Sahara nomadic communities.
Experience. Departure with a local guide, walk through the dunes, meeting and exchanging with nomadic families, discovering their lifestyle and traditions, followed by a return to the camp.
2h
Camel Ride at Sunrise or Sunset
An iconic Sahara experience timed to coincide with the most beautiful light of the day.
Experience. Departure from the camp, introduction to the camels, ride through the dunes, panoramic stop to admire the sunrise or sunset, followed by a return to the camp.
1h
Camel Desert Excursion
A true desert expedition allowing guests to discover the different landscapes surrounding the camp.
Experience. Departure with a guide, crossing the dunes, regular stops, discovery of the desert landscapes and local way of life, tea break depending on the itinerary, followed by a return to the camp.
3h to 4h
Berber Sand Bread Class
An ancestral Berber technique for preparing and baking bread in the desert.
Experience. Introduction to the ingredients and tradition, preparation of the dough, traditional cooking directly in the hot sand, followed by a tasting with Moroccan tea.
1h
Stargazing
An immersive experience beneath one of the most spectacular star-filled skies in the Sahara, far from light pollution.
Experience. Installation in a dedicated observation area, stargazing with the naked eye and observation equipment depending on availability, discovery of constellations and explanations about the stars and the Milky Way.
1h30 to 2h
The Bed Under the Stars
An exceptional night in nature, sleeping in a beautifully prepared bed surrounded by the dunes beneath the starry sky.
Experience. Setup at sunset, private moment and dinner according to the selected option, overnight stay in the desert, breakfast at sunrise, followed by a return to the camp.
Full night
Horse Riding in the Sahara
An equestrian experience through the spectacular Saharan landscapes, accompanied by an experienced guide.
Experience. Briefing and preparation of the horses, departure, ride through the dunes and desert landscapes, photo stops, followed by a return to the camp.
2h
Oasis and Tea Time with the Nomads
An excursion combining the discovery of an oasis with an authentic encounter with the people of the desert.
Experience. Departure from the camp, transfer to the oasis, walk and discovery of the surroundings, meeting with nomadic families, traditional tea and exchanges about their daily life, followed by a return to the camp.
1h30 to 2h
Chicha and Hookah
A relaxing moment in the camp lounge area.
Experience. Seating and setup, choice of shisha, served with tea or beverages, followed by a relaxed moment in a peaceful desert atmosphere.
1h
Adventure
4x4 Desert Safari
An adventure by 4x4 through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Sahara.
Experience. Departure from the camp in a Jeep Wrangler, driving through dunes and desert tracks, panoramic stops, discovery of natural sites and possible encounters along the way, followed by a return to the camp.
1h to 2h
Sandboarding
A fun and adventurous activity consisting of riding a board down the spectacular desert dunes.
Experience. Transfer to a suitable dune, safety briefing and introduction to the board, climb to the top of the dune, successive descents, followed by a return to the camp.
1h
Quad Biking in the Dunes
A motorised adventure allowing guests to explore the dunes and desert tracks.
Experience. Safety briefing, introduction to the quads, guided departure, ride through the dunes, photo stops, followed by a return to the camp.
1h
Desert Buggy Experience
An exhilarating buggy adventure through desert tracks and landscapes.
Experience. Safety briefing, vehicle introduction, guided departure, off-road and dune driving, panoramic stops, followed by a return to the camp.
1h
Music and Entertainment
Traditional Moroccan Folk Music Band
Traditional Moroccan live music to accompany a dinner or an evening.
Experience. Musical welcome, live performance, interaction with guests, followed by a festive finale.
1h
Roukba Ahidouz Berber Band
An immersion into traditional Amazigh rhythms and songs inspired by celebrations from southern Morocco.
Experience. Musical introduction, traditional songs and percussion, collective performance, followed by an interactive moment with guests.
1h
Tinariwin Berbers Band
A live Berber musical performance bringing an authentic and warm atmosphere to the evening.
Experience. Band setup, live performance, interaction with guests, followed by a musical finale around the fire.
1h
Oriental Dancers
An elegant Oriental dance performance designed to accompany dinner or open the evening entertainment.
Experience. Introduction, several choreographed performances, interaction with guests, followed by a finale.
40 min
At Leisure
Golf Practice, Petanque, Library and Games
A selection of activities freely available at the camp, perfect for relaxing between experiences.
Experience. Free access throughout the day, with no prior reservation required.
At leisure
All activities are subject to weather conditions, logistics and availability. Schedules and durations may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.
Going Further on Foot
Multi-day desert trekking
A camel ride at sunset is one thing. Walking across Erg Chegaga for three to seven days, with a caravan carrying the camp and a cook in the field, is another entirely. Four private routes from M'Hamid El Ghizlane and Foum Zguid, including a crossing of the dry bed of Lac Iriki.
See the four trekking routes
Questions
What groups ask before they come
What activities are included in a stay?
Every experience listed on this page is included in a full camp privatisation, apart from the helicopter transfer and anything requiring an outside supplier, which we quote separately. Nothing is charged per activity once you are at the camp.
Do I need any experience for the buggy, the sandboarding or the horses?
No. Every activity begins with a briefing and, where it matters, a practice run on open sand. The guides adapt the pace to the group rather than the other way round. Sandboarding and camel riding suit children from about six years old.
Is the stargazing genuinely different from elsewhere?
Erg Chegaga is rated Bortle Class 1, the darkest classification on the international scale, alongside the Atacama. The Milky Way appears as a banded object with visible depth rather than a faint smear, and on clear nights the Andromeda galaxy is visible without a telescope.
Can the programme be adapted to our group?
Yes, and it usually is. Durations are indicative and the order of the days is built around what your group wants, the season and the weather. Groups that come to work put their sessions at first light and keep the afternoons free.
