Camping in Erg Chebbi -- are there bathrooms???

Old Aug 16th, 2014, 07:30 AM
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Camping in Erg Chebbi -- are there bathrooms???

I am in the process of trying to book a tour operator for a Marrakesh to Fez trip. While I'm finding a good selection of operators, I am totally confused about the camp-out in Erg Chebbi. The tour operator I am working with now is offering me a choice between either a "luxury campsite," with toilets, showers, and big, beautiful tents, or a "basic campsite," where there is no water or bathroom and you need to dig a hole in the sand when the urge arises. Um.......no. We also want something quiet, away from crowds. I'm having a hard time finding something in the middle between these two extremes. How do I go about this? Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Laurie
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Old Aug 17th, 2014, 01:14 PM
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A lot of the tour operators are somewhere in between. Tented camps with a single bathroom for the camp.
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Old Aug 17th, 2014, 11:26 PM
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Sallam 'lekum Laurie. While the thought of being able to use both a shower and flush toilet in Erg Chebbi (or Erg Chigaga, as well) is obviously tempting, I think it's worth advising you that the 'catchment' of any flush toilet will simply be disposed of behind the nearest (out of sight) sand dune or dry river bed. I have guided many concerned folk into the dunes for a night to camps that provide a transportable, long-drop toilet and no shower, and every single one of them has been ok with this arrangement, having brought along any personal items they require (face/body wet wipes, change of underwear etc). Consider that you will only be out in the dunes from late afternoon through to early morning, and perhaps this simple arrangement will be suffice for you...and the environment. I don't wish to put a downer on your planning. Summarizing: request a camp that provides a transportable non-flushing toilet plus also advise the operator that you prefer a small, private camp. You may have to pay some sort of supplement to do this, as there are only so many camps out in the dunes. Oh, and make sure you buy a bottle of wine or two in Marrakesh to keep for the sunset on the dunes
Congratulations, you are my first posting on the Fodor's forum!
Darren Humphrys
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 04:48 PM
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So happy to be your first post! I really appreciate your responses. As long as I have some privacy, I'm happy with whatever "facilities" are available. Especially since it's only for a night. Any recommendations on a guide? I know there are rules about advertising on the forum, but you can always e-mail me if you'd prefer.
Either way, thanks for the encouragement.
Laurie
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Old Sep 14th, 2014, 07:30 AM
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We were at Erg Chebbi a couple of weeks ago. A basic bivouac is Berber tents which are divided into "rooms" with sleeping facilities for 4 in most "rooms". Most people (there were about 16 in our caravan) chose to sleep outdoors on mattresses.
There was a shared toilet that flushed. It is only overnight so I think this is adequate.... then again I've done a lot of camping!
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