A Family Office's Checklist for a Private Sahara Buy-Out

You manage travel for a principal, a family, or a portfolio founder. They want something unusual: a private camp in the Sahara. Not a hotel with a desert view. An actual camp, in actual dunes, with no other guests and no mobile phone signal.

You have questions. Good. Here is the checklist we wish every family office advisor would use before booking a remote luxury buy-out, whether with us or with anyone.

1. Exclusivity: What Does “Private” Actually Mean?

Not all “private” bookings are equal. Ask explicitly:

• Is the entire property reserved? Some desert camps sell “private tents” within a shared camp. That is not privatization. True buy-out means no other guests on the property, full stop.
• What about adjacent properties? In areas like Merzouga, camps can be 200 meters apart. A buy-out of one camp does not guarantee silence if the neighboring camp is hosting 50 guests with live music.
• Are staff exclusive to your party? In a true buy-out, every staff member, chef, guide, driver, housekeeping, is dedicated to your group for the duration.

At Umnya, privatization means exactly what it says. All 8 tents, every staff member, the entire camp and surrounding landscape. There are no neighboring camps within sight or earshot.

2. Security Assessment

Remote does not mean unsafe, but it does mean different protocols.

Questions to ask:

• What is the nearest medical facility, and how long does it take to reach?
• Is there a medical evacuation protocol? Helicopter? Fixed-wing?
• Is there a satellite phone or alternative communication if primary systems fail?
• Can ground security be arranged on-site?
• What is the political and security climate in the region?

What we provide:

• Satellite phone on-site at all times
• Helicopter evacuation protocol with standing arrangements (2-hour response)
• Ground security available on request for high-profile stays
• The camp’s remote location is itself a security feature: no road access without a 4x4 and an experienced guide
• M’Hamid and the Draa-Tafilalet region are politically stable and safe for foreign visitors

3. Confidentiality

For some principals, discretion is not a preference. It is a requirement.

What to verify:

• Do all staff sign NDAs? (At Umnya: yes, standard practice for buy-outs)
• Is there a photography policy? (No photographs of guests by staff, no social media, no press, ever, unless explicitly authorized)
• Is the guest list shared with any third party? (No)
• Can the booking itself be kept confidential? (Yes, we use coded references if requested)
• Is there cell signal at the camp? (No, which eliminates a major leak vector)

The absence of internet and phone signal at Erg Chegaga is not just a wellness feature. For principals who need genuine privacy, it is a structural guarantee that nothing leaves the camp without their knowledge.

4. Access and Logistics

The Sahara is not a helicopter ride from a major airport. Planning matters.

Getting There

Recommendations:

• For principals arriving from Europe, fly into Marrakech (RAK) on a commercial or private flight, then helicopter to camp. Total door-to-door from a European capital: approximately 5-6 hours.
• For larger groups or those who enjoy the journey, the 4x4 convoy through the Draa Valley is an experience in itself. Consider an overnight stop in Ouarzazate or Zagora to break the drive.
• Mixed routing works well: arrive by 4x4 (decompression), depart by helicopter (efficient exit).

Luggage and Equipment

• Standard luggage is transported by 4x4 regardless of how guests arrive
• Oversized or specialized equipment (photography gear, musical instruments, sports equipment) should be flagged in advance
• Helicopter has limited luggage capacity; excess is transported separately by vehicle

5. Medical and Dietary

Medical:

• Nearest clinic: M’Hamid (90 minutes by 4x4)
• Nearest hospital: Zagora (3 hours by road)
• First aid trained staff on-site at all times
• Prescription medications: guests should bring their own supply plus a backup
• For guests with serious medical conditions, we recommend a travel nurse be included in the party (we can help source one)

Dietary:

• Our chef accommodates all requirements: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, kosher, allergy-specific
• Requirements must be communicated at least 2 weeks before arrival
• For principals with a personal chef, our kitchen is available for their use
• Alcohol is available (wine, spirits); specific labels can be sourced from Marrakech with advance notice

6. Children and Families

Umnya is not an adults-only property. We regularly host families with children.

• Children of all ages are welcome
• Connecting tent configurations are available for families
• Activities are adapted: shorter camel rides, guided dune play, stargazing sessions pitched for younger audiences
• A dedicated staff member can be assigned as a family liaison
• Baby and toddler equipment (cots, high chairs) available on request

7. Duration and Timing

Recommended stay: 3 to 5 nights for a standard private buy-out. 7 nights for a sabbatical or extended retreat.

Best months:

Booking lead times:

• Standard buy-out: 4 weeks minimum
• Buy-out with helicopter: 8 weeks minimum
• Peak season (Dec-Mar): 6-12 months recommended
• Urgent requests are considered case-by-case

8. What Is Included (and What Is Not)

Standard buy-out includes:

• Full camp privatization (all 8 tents, all spaces)
• Private chef with bespoke menus
• Personal butler and 24/7 concierge
• 4x4 transfers from M’Hamid (both ways)
• Resident astronomer with premium telescopes
• Daily housekeeping, laundry service
• Solar electricity, satellite Wi-Fi in lounge
• Basic desert activities (camel trek, stargazing, tea ceremony)

Billed as add-ons:

• Helicopter transfers
• Spa treatments (massage, hammam, sound healing)
• Premium activities (4x4 expeditions, overnight bivouac, Gnawa ceremony)
• Photography/videography crew
• Ground security
• Special event setup (celebrations, brand activations)
• Personal travel nurse

Add-ons are quoted transparently, with no hidden markups.

9. The Due Diligence Questions Most People Forget

From our experience hosting private clients, these are the questions that matter most and get asked least:

1. What happens if weather forces a schedule change? Sandstorms happen. We adapt the program, never cancel. Guests stay comfortable and safe in camp.
2. What is the backup plan for helicopter delays? Mechanical issues, weather holds. We maintain 4x4 extraction capability at all times.
3. Can staff handle VIP behavior gracefully? Yes. Our team is experienced with high-profile guests and trained to anticipate without being intrusive.
4. What is the cancellation policy? Flexible terms for family offices. Discussed during the proposal stage.
5. Can we do a site visit first? Yes. We offer pre-booking site visits and FAM trips during shoulder season.

10. How to Start

The process is simple and confidential:

1. Reach out via email, WhatsApp, or the private inquiry form
2. Discovery call (20 minutes) to understand your requirements
3. Bespoke proposal within 48 hours: itinerary, menus, add-ons, logistics
4. Contract and deposit
5. Ongoing coordination with a dedicated point of contact

Every inquiry is handled personally. We respond within 6 hours. A mutual NDA is available before any detailed information is shared.

Contact us directly for property details and experience menus tailored to your requirements.

Or start the conversation directly. We are happy to answer the questions this checklist did not cover.

Further reading for family office advisors:

• How We Host Middle Eastern Retreats — A Practical Guide — operational detail on discretion, halal, women-only arrangements
• Is the Sahara Safe to Visit? — political, health, and security context
• The 7-Day Morocco Itinerary — full journey design Marrakech to Sahara
• What to Pack for a Sahara Trip — practical briefing for principals
• The Clearing — CEO Reset Retreat — our signature founder programme
• Download the Family Office Pack (PDF) — full facility brief