Before you ride
Safety in the sand.
The Sahara is forgiving if you respect it and unforgiving if you don't. Here is exactly how we run our trips.
On every trip
- A licensed lead guide, plus a sweep guide on any group of six or more.
- Radio contact with the gate base and a satellite messenger per group.
- A first-aid kit, shade sheet, and twice the water we expect anyone to drink.
- Helmets, goggles, and gloves issued and checked for every quad rider.
- Boards, bindings, and saddles inspected between every session.
Heat protocol
From June to September we run only the early morning and the last hour before sunset. If the forecast at the gate reads above 44°C we stand the day down and everyone is refunded or rebooked, no questions and no fee.
Insurance and medical
We carry public liability cover for all guided activity. That does not replace your own travel insurance — check that yours covers quad riding and sandboarding, since some policies class them as extreme sports.
The nearest hospital is in Douz, twelve minutes from the gate. Every vehicle in our fleet can reach it directly from anywhere on our routes.
What to bring
- Closed shoes you don't mind filling with sand
- Long sleeves and long trousers — sun, not modesty
- Sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- A layer for after dark; the desert drops fast once the sun is down
- Cash for tips if you want to; cards work at the gate for everything else
Planning your trip?
Common questions
Asked at the gate.
Do I need experience to ride a quad?
No. The quads are automatic and every session starts with a briefing and a practice lap on the flat before we head into the dunes. Riders must be 16 or older and carry ID.
Is the camel trek suitable for children?
Children from six can ride with a parent, and handlers walk beside every camel for the whole route. Below six we recommend the sunset camp visit instead — same tea, no saddle.
What happens if the weather turns?
Sandstorms and high wind mean we cancel, and you get a full refund or a free reschedule. That call is made by the lead guide, never by the booking desk.
What should I wear?
Closed shoes, long sleeves, and sunglasses. We hand out a chèche for your head and neck at the gate. Skip anything you would be upset to get sand into.
Is there phone signal out there?
Patchy. Every guide carries a satellite messenger and a charged radio, and the base at the gate knows every route and expected return time.
Can you handle dietary or medical needs?
Yes — tell us when you book. We cater vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free at the camp, and our guides are briefed on any condition you share with us.
