Visiting the desert with children, in family
- Apr 23
- 7 min read
The Sahara Desert is a mythical place that inspires dreams in both adults and children.
Our imaginations have discovered it in tales and adventure stories since early childhood.
During your trip to Morocco, you will finally have the opportunity to see the Moroccan Sahara with your own eyes.
Taking this trip as a family guarantees that you will share special moments and create unforgettable memories for everyone.
Is the desert suitable for children?
What activities in the desert do children enjoy?
What is the best time to travel to the desert with family?
How do you prepare for a family trip to the desert with children?
We answer all your questions to best prepare for your trip with us.
Is the desert suitable for children and families?
From what age is it possible to visit the desert?
From a child's first steps, the desert is an ideal playground for everyone. We recommend waiting until your child is 1 year old or older, especially given the bumpy ride in the 4x4. At this age, the experience will be more like a fun ride. Discovering the sand, Moroccan flavors, and meeting locals are all moments that awaken their senses.
Furthermore, the pace can be perfectly adapted to children of all ages, since desert dwellers are accustomed to living in harmony with nature's rhythms, in line with the human biological clock. Thus, as the days begin to get warmer, active periods take place earlier in the morning, followed by a long break in the early afternoon for a siesta. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
The desert with teenagers?
A trip to the desert with teenagers is a great way to show them a different way of life and open them up to other cultures, different from the West. In the desert, simplicity and sharing are key. No screen time. But reassure them, there is still cell phone service.
If your teen already has an affinity for nature, they will find happiness there.
If he or she is rather sporty, some trips will be well suited, such as treks for example.
Below are some ideas for possible activities in the desert.
What activities are there in the desert with children?
Playing in contact with nature
Every moment in the desert, in this immense nature, can be a source of wonder.
Sand dunes are a favorite playground for children. What could be more fun than running or rolling down the big dunes?
Observing prehistoric fossils: we find fossil-bearing rock sites that offer hundreds of thousands of small and large fossilized shells from the era when the ocean covered this part of Africa. It's a pleasure to look at them and find the most beautiful one to take home for your stone collection.
Meeting the camels: first from afar during the 4x4 crossing where we observe, like on safari, the herds of camels wandering about.
Then, up close, at the campsite or in our house, you'll meet the camel driver and his few dromedaries. The more adventurous can climb onto their backs, while the more cautious will watch these peaceful and strikingly beautiful animals with a touch of mischief. It's an activity that could last for hours. You never tire of their company.
See the wild animals
Living the life of nomads
By staying with us, you will be able to discover the nomadic way of life in an authentic way. A real opportunity to live and share our culture in an immersive experience.
Children will be able to take the time to observe and participate in everyday activities, a learning experience that is so enriching for them:
Build a campfire
What a fascination it is to gather the wood and then watch it catch fire and crackle, bringing warmth on cool winter evenings.
Prepare the sand bread
Bread baked in the sand is a tradition still deeply rooted in our daily lives. You can experience it during treks, including the 3-day, 2-night mini-trek. It's a truly awe-inspiring moment where you can savor the taste of freshly baked bread.
Prepare the mint tea
In the desert, people drink tea all day long; it quenches thirst and creates a ritual where they can relax and reconnect. It's a moment that children love, both eager to enjoy the tea and fascinated by the technique of pouring it.
Playing the music of the nomads
Music plays an important role in the lives of nomads. It sets the rhythm of the evenings and provides energy for the next day. At the campsite, we will gladly share this moment with you. Children can dance and also practice playing the rhythms of the derboukas and djembes.
Setting up a nomadic camp
What would a nomad be without a tent? Even though tents have evolved to adapt to modern lifestyles, they are still a staple of the trips we offer: for comfort in bivouacs, and for trekking. Children love sleeping in tents, a small, reassuring, and cozy environment, reminiscent of the cabins they play in.
Meet the villagers
If you stay at our guesthouse, "La petite maison du lac Iriki" (The Little House on Lake Iriki), you can take the opportunity to explore our nomadic village right next door. It's a chance to show children that there's a very simple way of life, with somewhat spartan conditions, but where everyone has a smile. Come and meet the children playing in the oasis or in front of the village's small school.
Sports activities in the desert
For children or teenagers who need to be active, wide open spaces will allow them to fully let off steam. Other activities that can complement those mentioned above include:
Hiking: walking in the dunes, walking on the flat terrain of the ancient dried-up Lake Iriki, hiking in the Jebel Bani to see the prehistoric rock engravings. There are many ways to hike in the desert, and our programs generally include walking time because nomads are, above all, great walkers, their preferred means of transportation in the desert.
Sandboarding: a fun and unusual activity to do in the sand. It's like snowboarding in the desert, a snow surfboard for gliding down the dunes, sitting or standing. A great way to keep little legs busy and tired!
What is the best season to travel to the desert with children?
To make your stay in the desert easier with children, it is best to choose the months when the sun is less strong: from October to the end of April.
In autumn and spring, the days will be sunny and easily reach 30°.
In winter, the days are mild, around 20°C and the nights can be cold but we have thick blankets to keep you warm.
If you need to travel in the summer, we adapt the excursion schedules with departures in the late afternoon and returns earlier in the morning.
Preparing for a family trip to the desert
You are probably wondering what equipment you will need to go to the desert with your children.
Here are some essentials:
protect yourself from the sun
Whatever the season, make sure you have something to protect your children from the sun. A wide-brimmed hat is often the best option. A small headscarf, like the ones worn by nomads, can also be good for covering them completely and protecting them from sand in windy conditions, depending on whether they tolerate it.
Sunscreen with an SPF of 50 and long clothing that covers the skin if you are going hiking.
walking shoes
Even if your itinerary doesn't include hiking, pack a pair of shoes with good soles to protect their feet from stones and acacia thorns that might be on the ground, so they can run around safely.
water bottle and water
This applies to the whole family, but remember to bring water bottles so you have water readily available. We will provide unlimited mineral water in several-liter containers. The desert air is dry, so you need to drink more often, especially if it's hot.
first aid kit
You can take your usual first-aid kit with its essentials and add a few valuable allies: saline solution in case of sand in your eyes, lip balm for dry air. And don't forget the sunscreen mentioned above.
books and games
According to the program, there will be quieter times, periods when we wait for it to cool down before moving on, and the early afternoon rest period, a ritual for living in harmony with nature. If your children no longer nap, you can bring books or card games to play quietly in the shade.
take away sand
One of our tips for ensuring your children bring back wonderful souvenirs from the desert is to pack a small container filled with sand, seashells, and fossils found on the ground. A precious little treasure to take home.
Choosing the right program: fixed bivouac or hiking/trekking?
The desert adventure can be experienced in several ways: calm or sporty, authentic or comfortable.
With young children or if you are looking for a minimum level of comfort:
Stays in fixed bivouacs will be more suitable as you will have access to large family tents with beds, a toilet and shower area.
If you are looking for an overnight stay in the desert with a fixed bivouac:
If you are looking for a 2-night stay in the desert with a fixed bivouac:
With older children and teenagers, or if you want an immersive experience:
The stays in mobile bivouacs during the treks will allow you to live alongside the nomads and experience life in the heart of the desert, enjoying the great outdoors. Of course, walking times will be adapted to the pace of the children.
If you are looking for an easy 2-night trek in the desert:
If you are looking for an easy trek of 3 nights or more in the desert:
Responsible family travel
When traveling as a family to authentic regions like ours, you'll likely want to involve your children in charitable projects or show them that not all children in the world have easy access to the same things. It's entirely possible to contribute to helping local families:
donations for the village children
Our village of Zaouiat Sidi Abdenabi is home to several families of nomads who have now settled down, along with their children. We have a small school. Their way of life is very simple. You are welcome to donate school supplies, clothes and shoes in very good condition, school bags, and toys.
Medics
Being far from the city, access to medication is difficult. These things are also expensive for our modest families. So if you would like to leave some medications such as Doliprane, antibiotics, or bandages, they would be very helpful.
As you can imagine, traveling in the desert with children is an unforgettable experience. There's something for everyone. You can rely on our experience and attentive approach to help you choose the perfect trip. We'll gently guide you through each step, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of your children.
For any questions, you can easily contact us .
