Hotspot Regret: The Sahara (or Agafay) Desert
I’ve often found that the desert deserves more time than most itineraries allow.
On one occasion, I visited the Sahara with only a single night planned — just enough to see the dunes at sunset and have a fleeting night under the stars.
It was magical, of course, but far too short to truly embrace the vastness of the landscape or to feel fully immersed in the experience.
So how would I avoid hotspot regret next time?
Two nights, in my opinion, is the ideal minimum for the Sahara.
With two nights available, meaning a whole day between arrival and your next stop, you can watch the dunes change from sunrise to sunset, enjoy a slow camel ride without feeling rushed, and simply soak in the tranquillity that makes the desert so wonderfully unique.
The fabulously-close-to-Marrakech Agafay Desert deserves the same respect – its lunar landscapes are spectacular, and a longer stay means you’ll enjoy it at your own pace, without the constant checking of the clock to see when you’ve got to be back at camp for a transfer.
My personal experience is why I now always recommend clients allow a bit more time than they might originally intend in these destinations, and sometimes picking a less well-known camp.
The aim of all the itineraries weplan is to avoid FOMO entirely and to make sure your time is truly memorable – and usually, the quieter, slower option turns out to be even better than the “must-see” hotspot!
We’ve hand-picked our favourite itineraries to see the desert here – Fleewinter Desert Journeys
