Glamping, that peculiar portmanteau of glamour and camping, is often used to describe inflatable tents in Somerset fields. We prefer to think of it differently. At Umnya Desert Camp, glamping means sleeping in handcrafted Berber tents, eating dinner under a sky dense with stars, and waking to a silence so complete it feels like the world is holding its breath.
Here is what to expect when you visit.
The Tents
Our camp offers three types of accommodation, each decorated with authentic Berber textiles, carved wooden furniture, and solar lanterns that cast warm amber light.
Saida Berber Tent, Our classic tent: comfortable beds, handwoven rugs, traditional wool blankets. Shared bathroom facilities are kept immaculate.
Noor Suite Tent, Our signature accommodation: a luminous white-draped suite with a king-size bed, premium linens, and a private en-suite bathroom. A terrace opens directly onto the dunes.
Family Tent, Spacious with separated sleeping areas, private bathroom, and all the room families need to feel genuinely at home in the desert.
All tents run on solar electricity.
The Food
Dinner is served under the open sky: slow-cooked tagines, fragrant couscous, Berber salads, a rotating selection of mezze. Breakfast is generous: Moroccan bread, olive oil, honey, fresh fruit, eggs, mint tea poured from a height. Dietary requirements are accommodated, please mention them at booking.
The Evenings
As the sun sets, the desert turns gold, then pink, then violet. Tea is served. Drums are played. Stories are shared around the fire. Later, the Milky Way appears with a clarity most people have never experienced. We offer telescope use and guided stargazing on request.
What’s Included
- Welcome Berber mint tea and dates on arrival
- All meals (dinner, breakfast, and lunch for multi-night stays)
- Sunset camel ride in the dunes
- Berber music evening around the campfire
- Stargazing with telescope access
- 4x4 transfer to and from M’Hamid village
What to Pack
Layers for cold nights, comfortable shoes, a camera with manual mode for star photography, sunscreen, a hat, and a slightly slower version of yourself.
What Not to Expect
No pool, no room service, no city noise, no notifications. That is precisely the point. What you will find is something increasingly rare: genuine quiet, genuine hospitality, and the particular peace that comes from being somewhere very far from the ordinary.
Curious about what makes M’Hamid different from the more famous Merzouga? Read our honest comparison of the two destinations. For stargazers, our complete astrophotography guide covers camera settings, best months, and what you can see above Erg Chegaga. And to understand the best season for your visit, see when to visit the Sahara.
Reserve your stay or explore our full list of experiences.
