Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Budget camel safari in Morocco, independent reviews
 Reviewed 29 Apr 2009 by Ann Durrant |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Gosh, too many to mention. Walking to the top of the dunes. Having the only set of footprints the whole way and surveying the vast view. Sleeping under the stars.
Staying with Berber families. Drinking 'Berber Whisky'. Running up a dune in the dark and sitting on the top looking at the stars. The brilliant food.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take warm clothing, we were quite often cold during the day and I had a thick fleece, it wasn't hot when we were there (last week in March). And take water proofs, we had rain 3 out of the 5 days. Just take one change of clothes, there isn't much opportunity to change anyway. There are no facilities, the loo is a hole you dig yourself and often involves a 10 min walk to find privacy! Take toilet roll and tooth brush, that's all you'll have the opportunity to use. When you're on the camels for the 5 days you will have very little opportunity to carry stuff, just a small rucksack (20L) which can be hung around the handle of the saddle. Ask questions. Mohammed and Youssef aren't very forth coming but they are very friendly. It is the most incredible experience, enjoy yourself. If you want to buy something talk to the family, they may be able to help you.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. It definitely benefited the family and other families we stayed with. We used next to no resources so had a v low environmental impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Life changing.
| Reviewed 27 Oct 2009 by Lesley Ramplin | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The feeling of complete freedom in the desert. All your worries are replaced by the calm and tranquil pace of the camels. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular but for me the most memorable thing was the night sky and the incredible milkyway. For my husband the most memorable thing was experiencing the making and eating of the Berber pizza as the moon rose over the dunes, it was beautiful.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take lots and lots of wet wipes, we ran out after the third day and missed them badly! Hygiene facilities are similar to wild camping and in the heat it is nice to have a wipe down. It might also be useful to take some sort of sterilizing fluid to clean any drinking containers, we didn't and suffered the unfortunate consequences.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We felt the holiday did benefit local people, from our host family to the Berber people we stayed with at overnight stops. Our guides were very particular regarding the disposal of our rubbish, burning as much as possible and transporting
the rest back. In fact they were horrified by the amount of rubbish left by tourists and spent time picking up bottles and cans that had been thrown away in the desert.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This holiday should not be called 'budget' but 'Berber' camel safari. We were so well looked after, nothing was too much trouble. Our guides were very willing to share their knowledge of the desert and full of fun, we both felt very comfortable with them all. If you are reading this and wondering whether it is for you I would say DO it, I am 49, overweight and not that fit but I had a brilliant holiday.
| Reviewed 29 Dec 2008 by Aaron Markowitz-Shulman | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Going to bed in the silence of the desert every evening, waking up amongst the huge sand dunes. Learning about the desert from a family that has lived in it for generations.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The family provides wonderful hospitality and you will spend the days living as they do. It is basic compared to what we were used to, but you have absolutely everything you need. It would be a superb holiday for children.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - this is clearly their main source of income, and living with minimal electricity and water consumption, and total respect for the environment, this life exemplifies "green living".
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the most "authentic" tourist experiences we’ve ever had. There are lots of "desert experiences", but this is the real deal. It was a wonderful way to enjoy life as a part of a family, with no pretensions or tourist kitch. It was an opportunity to totally remove oneself from the busy life in the UK and to change gears for a few days. The hospitality is extraordinary - not in any 5 star hotel have we felt so well-looked after and at ease.
| Reviewed 28 Nov 2008 by Folarin Eniton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part of the holiday was climbing to the top of a monster dune and looking out over the desert for miles and miles, who could have thought that sand could stack so high! Totally glorious.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack a nice warm fleece for the nights, and sandals for trekking during the day, and a good water bottle (I had a 1.5 litre one worn on my back like a ruck-sack, very good in the desert). And bring lip-seal, that dry desert air will crack your lips good without it!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I felt that the family and other local people around the village and at the market at Risanni benefited from my stay. I felt sorry for the tourists I saw in the distance insulated in four-by-fours and hotels, never really interacting with the local people or really feeling the desert.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A brilliant holiday, full of wonderful moments, I really enjoyed it and I miss the Sahara already.