stubess

My wife and I recently returned from a wonderful, three-week trip to Morocco. One of the highlights of our visit was our camel ride and overnight in the Sahara Desert. Our tour was organized and led by Bivouac Les Nomades, which is owned and run by a young couple Alessandra and Hmad. They are located in a small village near Merzouga, and their desert campsite is located on Erg Chebbi. Accommodations were extremely comfortable – sheets, mattresses, and the food was delicious. Hmad does the cooking. Needless to say the sunset and sunrise were spectacular

I can't recommend this pair enough. It was a truly a first class trip. My wife, who had been somewhat "anxious" about riding a camel, thoroughly loved the experience.

Anyone heading for Morocco should include an overnight in the desert and should book their trip with Alessaandra and Hmad at Bivouac Les Nomades. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 0021276991823

Stuart Bessler

WTnow

YES,YES,YES!! I could not agree more!! We absolutely LOOOOVED Hmad and Alessandra and their wonderful camel ride and over night in the Sahara. They are amazing people and were also the highlight of our wonderful trip.

We were there in April and wrote about it here ( with pictures):

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/7...E27AE1B1F.html

This is their great website:

http://www.nomadsaharabivouacmerzoug...g-morocco.html


I am in Santorini Greece now and still cherishing that special experience. Glad to hear someone else who had a similar experience. I think they are definitely the way to go and a "must do" for Morocco.

WTnow

I am waiting for your trip report stubess, Have you written one? Will you?

I think the trip reports are so helpful for those planning a trip to Morocco.

marthag

WTNow and any other travelers who have used Bivouac Morocco: What is the difference between the standard tent experience(30 Euro pp) and the Deluxe Tent(60Euro pp)?

Also, WTNow, I believe that you used this company to arrange other parts of your family's trip to Morocco. Would you recommend them using them to arrange a guide/driver for a 10 day Moroccan visit that includes Fez, Mecknes, Merzouga, Thousand Kasbah Trail, Marrakech and Essaouira? Or would we, a group of four women, be better off using the guides mentioned here such as Hamad Dandane, Rachid, and Said, who specialize full time in guiding travelers on the "circuit" throughout the country? Thanks for your help.

Xalucia

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

WTnow

Hi Marthag

I just saw this, so I do not know when your trip is planned. I hope I am not too late to help.

Sorry, but I am not sure of the difference and I think we took the standard. Ask them to explain it, I guess.

I think I asked them the same question though, but I do not remember the answer now. Our budget dictated.

I had them set up the grande taxi to and from there. I was looking primarily to get from point a to point b, safe , reliable and at best price.

I also asked both riad owners on either side, and went with Allessandra's rec driver, because of the price.

Yes we were very happy, but if I had to do it again, I might drive instead which is waaaay cheaper I believe.

I did not take a guided tour, so it is hard for me to compare. We tend to like to do independant travel and do lots of reading. We also like to stay on a tight budget.

We looked into some guides but felt the prices were outrageous for us.

So much depends on your budget and what you want. For the most freedom and best price, read a lot and rent a car.

Knowing what I know now, my second choice ( after renting a car) would to be to do what we did and my third choice would be to hire a tour guide.

Morocco is not as scary as it seems before taking off.

Sorry, I hope that is some help and not too late for you.

WTnow

BTW we are still traveling and have not stopped since before our trip to Morocco last April...so I just dash in and out when I can on these forums.

Contact me thru our blog and hotmail addy if you have a time dated question and I will answer as soon as I can.

Soon to settle into our andalucian village home for the winter.

WTnow

Looking to see if MarthaG posted back. Does anyone know when she went of if she has left yet?

I am dying to hear about her experience as I know she was planning and looking forward to it for awhile.