Getting to the Sahara desert Camp
The Camp Adounia is 9 located hours for Marrakech and all transport can be arranged by Camp Adounia. You will arrive in private 4×4’s that will take you from your hotel to the Sahara Tented Camp location. We recommend you book at least one night at the beginning and end at Zamzam Riad & Spa. Helicopters can be booked from Marrakech if required, they take about 3.5 hours to the desert camp and cannot fly at night and can fly to Zagora airport, where you can be collected and taken to the tented camp. 1 and half hours from Zagora airport. Otherwise transport is via land cruiser with experienced drivers.
There are a few options for transportation to Camp Adounia in the Sahara Desert:
We can provide transport with Land cruisers with professional desert drivers (this is the most common route)
You can book a package tour with multiple stops and excursion with us.
You can arrange air travel by plane or Helicopter
You can do combine both, air and car travel.
You can hire a car and drive yourself, and park in the local town, and get a ride with us in the dunes to the Camp.
Please specify your preffered method of travel in Booking information.
We recommend you stay at least one night at the start and end of your desert trip. From Marrakech you need to leave at 9am if you are stopping on the way for the night otherwise around 8am is better. You may want to drive yourself but we recommend you take a driver, they know the roads well and the route to the camp through the desert. They are also experienced drivers of the sand and mountains, not an easy task. The drivers give you information on the journey and you can relax and enjoy the scenery. You must make sure you take your passports with you as drivers need to fill out papers. It is normal to tip your drivers at the end of the tour.
If you want to drive yourself we will organise a transfer in and out of the camp from M’hamid where you can securely leave your car. However if you have your driver with you it means you can go off exploring the area whenever you like. Drivers cost €120 euros per day and need to be booked for the duration of the tour. Transfers to and from the camp are €50 euros each way.
Morocco is a friendly and safe country. Moroccan’s are kind and hospitable they love to meet people from other places in the world and they adore children. It is important to be respectful of Moroccan culture, so we recommend to cover your shoulders and knees during your Moroccan holiday, respect prayer times and be sensitive to religious customs. With that said, Morocco is a very liberal and multicultural arab country, who’s citizens are very kind to foreigners and tourists, as tourism is a huge part of their function as a country.
Money & Safety:
There are no cash points or ATMS in the desert and the Camp Adounia site and the camp does not take credit cards on site.
You may need travel sickness pills for the atlas mountains.
Insurance and Emergency – Camp Adounia and Riad Zamzam have guest insurance. We have emergency and evacuation policy and procedure. It is advised that all guests have their own travel insurance and travel with a credit card for emergencies.
Morocco is a Muslim country, so it is important to cover your shoulders and knees when traveling the country. Marrakech is a more liberal and westernized city, but to respect the culture and avoid unwanted attention we advise dressing modestly.
Moroccans are very friendly and hospitality is the backbone of their culture, but be weary of offers from strangers and guides.
Arriving in Morocco:
Marrakech Airport (RAK) is 6 kilometres from the city centre and is the ideal airport for your depart to Camp Adounia. We have Riad Zamzam for your stay in Marrakech before and after your desert tour. You may also fly into Casablanca which is located 227 kilometres north-west of Marrakech and take a “grand taxi”, train, or the more comfortable option of a private car from Casablanca. To arrange a private driver and request pick up from the airport, please email team@campadounia.com
The language of Morocco is Moroccan Arabic (Darija), however French is spoken throughout the country as well. Many Moroccans speak English, however it is not as commonly spoken as most European countries.
Packing tips – pack light!
Light Weight Fleece (it can get cold at night in the desert)
Long Trousers and Shirt
Light Weight Scarf or Turban (for Women)
Sun Tan Lotion/Sun Screen
Sun Protector Lip Balm
Hat
Walking shoes
Sandals
Shorts
Swimming Suit/Costume
Travel Insurance and/or credit card in case of emergency
Torch/Flash Light
Water Bottle
Day Pack
Travel Sick Pills
Valid Passport
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes are recommended for convenience and cleanliness.
Rehydration salts.
A day sack.
Flying to morocco & the Sahara Desert
Morocco Travel
For cheap flights to Morocco, visit Skyscanner.net
You do not need any vaccines to enter to country, nor does malaria exist in Morocco.
You need 6 months validity on your passport.
Most major countries do not need a visa to travel to Morocco, but check the Moroccan consulate list to see if you do need one.
Take out personal travel insurance with repatriation (Try World Nomads insurance)
We recommend also bringing a credit card with no debt in case of emergencies.
Flights within Morocco
Flying to or from Ouarzazate reduces the time on the road to 4 hours. However the Royal Air Maroc flight arrives at around 7pm getting you to the camp just before midnight.
As Casablanca is an international airport this is more useful for long haul flyers arriving in Casablanca.
Flights are also available from Fez to Marrakech with Air Arabia, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, where you can then meet the driver and continue your journey.
So there are many options for planning your itinerary depending on how much time you have and what you would like to see.
By Helicopter or Small Aircraft
Some people choose to hire helicopters or a small aircraft. They can land at Zagora airport 1.5 hours from the camp.
There are 4 helicopters and they can take a maximum of 5 people in each. They cannot fly at night and only in good weather.
There are a number of sized aircraft to hire but the smaller ones like the helicopters can only fly in good weather, the bigger ones have much less of a problem weatherise.