Sahara Family Trek For Kids
Why you should take your family to the Sahara – One of the best things you’ll ever do!
It’s different, educational, safe, refreshing, and above all, great fun.
Sahara Family Trek For Kids – What Is It Exactly?
Our Sahara family trek for kids is a 5 day trek in the Sahara, encompassed with a 9 day trip in Morocco (including travel). It’s usually Sat – Sun (but this is flexible) and involves flying to Marrakech, driving down to the Sahara (2 days) followed by a trek deep into the desert, fully supported by a Guide and support crew, complete with camels to carry supplies. It’s a camping trek with all food and water carried by the camels from the outset. There is no resupply. It is isolated and remote, there are no roads, and no people, but it is safe.
Young girl enjoying the sand dunes
Comfort boundaries will be pushed. But your children will emerge much better having experienced this. This is not a reality TV show or survival expedition but the circumstances you will find yourselves in may push the boundaries of normal life a little.
As parents, there’s a whole host of considerations and they will all be child dependent. Of prime concern is safety. Be assured, this experience while remote is a safe environment. There are no roads, no people, no villages, they can roam as they wish. It’s miles and miles of empty desert. See our list of common considerations.
We can extract you out of the desert if needs be. You’re not stuck in there once you start.
Who Can Go?
Children aged around 9 upwards of average fitness/activity level should be able to complete this Sahara family trek for kids unaided (on their own two feet). Children slightly younger could go but it would be advisable to hire a camel in a specific role to accompany and transport them; we can advise.
When To Go?
Spring and Autumn are generally the best months and this Sahara family trek for kids treks is designed to fit into those half-term school holidays and also Easter (date dependant). Our dates are up on the Sahara Family webpage but they are flexible.
Who Does It Suit?
Any family with any sense of adventure to go and have a bit of fun, or challenge themselves to live in this beautiful environment. Sahara family for kids is seriously good fun, and different.
We appreciate families who like to have it to themselves sometimes and we have therefore geared this trip to a minimum of 2 people (upwards).
Kids love it – freedom!
Have you ever seen so much sand??
Kids learn quickly
5 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Kids To The Sahara
1. Sahara Family Trek for Kids – Safe Adventure
Once you get trekking, you are in the middle of nowhere. There are no roads, no people, no buildings, nothing. Just the odd nomadic camel herder, if you’re lucky! Children (and adults!) can roam and run up and down as many sand dunes as they like in safety.
2. Education
You don’t need much kit out there, it’s pretty minimalistic. As it’s camping, your children learn a lot about how to live in such a wild environment (the fact you don’t need much), how to bake bread in sand ovens, all about camels, how to go to the toilet in the wilds(!), how to live without electronic devices for a little while and how to pack their daysacks every day.
3. Fun
With today’s hectic lifestyles, we can often forget what raw fun is. With so much time and space, life slows down a lot. The simple things come back to life. Running down a sand dune when you can’t stop (and they’re big!), walking barefoot on hot sand (hot, hot, hot), digging your toes into the sand when they is no end to it or simply lying back and enjoying the sun. And that’s without the odd ride on the camel (this is not a camel trek as such but they do let you ride them at the end to experience it). Sahara Trek for Kids brings all of that back.
4. Family Time
It’s rare to get isolated family time these days. This will certainly give you that!
5. Food
To quote a previous client who was a Hotel Head Chef… ‘no more will I take any moans from my chefs given the quality of food produced out here on just 2 gas burners; stunning’. You won’t go hungry and it’s delicious. Eating breakfast out on the dunes in the morning is an absolute delight.
Worried About Kids In The Desert? – Don’t Be, They Learn Fast
We all know our own children and they all have their own idiosyncrasies, dislikes, and fears to overcome. What if, what if, what if …
On this Sahara family trek for kids, nothing is insurmountable. We have tried and tested this Sahara family trek for kids with children many times. The simple key is to discuss any issues you have with us and we can tell you what’s what. Changes, adaptations, fallback plans, and assistance can all be discussed.
Take a look at what clothing and footwear is required in the Sahara.
- Toilets – always the first question, even for adults! In camp, there is a portable toilet tent erected over a hole dug in the ground. During the day, it’s how nature would have it, there is no shortage of space or dunes to hide behind.
- Food – the food is excellent, plentiful, and variable but every child is potentially fussy! We can tell you what the meal plans are like and if required, you can plan to take some backup food of their choice. That food needs to be simple, dry food that will travel well and won’t spoil. Their favourite flavoured rice or pasta in dry packet form are two classic examples that can be used instantly if there is a problem at mealtime. The chefs are good at producing variations of meals, such as vegetarian or cutting out spices for some meals, etc… few situations are insurmountable.
- Sleeping – there can be fewer more exciting situations for youngsters than sleeping out in the desert either in a tent or under the stars, nicely wrapped up in a warm sleeping bag. There are no late nights here for anyone, so once darkness falls, everyone snuggles down so the children will feel very safe in the close proximity of others. They will soon get used to the desert isolation.
- Weather – the biggest risk in the desert is the sun; it can be fierce in the afternoon. A good sunhat and the ability to wear long sleeves and long trousers should always be there. Sunscreen to hand. It can also rain! And sandstorms.
- Fitness – averagely fit and active children won’t have too much of a problem with the trek but if it gets hot, they may tire a bit. The excitement of the sand is usually enough to keep them going. A camel (with a handler) can be hired with the specific role of following the group and it will be on hand for the child to ride if and when necessary. The camel can be shared between children, even adults!
- Injury/Illness – the Guide will be first aid trained but is not a Doctor. Parents should bring their own First Aid kit geared to their own family’s known potential ailments. Anything that requires professional medical help will mean extraction from the Desert, which can be arranged quickly (a 4×4 can access the area). It must be understood (and accepted) that this is a remote region and despite best efforts, nothing will be instantaneous.
Remember, if you need to get out of the desert at any time, we can do that. You are NOT committed once you start.
And what stories your children will come back with….
Call Terry to discuss: 01529 488159 or 07725 943108.
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