Packing for the Sahara: a desert primer
What to bring, what to leave behind, and the one thing we wish someone had told us before our first night under the dunes.
Packing · 8 min read
Packing for the Sahara
What to bring, what to leave behind, and the one thing we wish someone had told us first.
The Sahara is hot. Everyone knows the Sahara is hot. What no one tells you is that the Sahara at 4am, in November, can be 6°C and windy. Pack accordingly.
Layers, layers, layers
Daytime in the dunes can be 32°C; predawn drops to single digits. Bring a light fleece and a windbreaker even in summer. The contrast is the whole point — but it's miserable if you're underdressed for sunrise on the crest.
Other essentials: a scarf or shemagh (for both wind and sun), real shoes (not sandals — sand gets everywhere), and a small dry bag for your camera. The Sahara dust is fine and gets into every seam.
“Buy the shemagh in Marrakech, not at home. They're cheaper and the locals will tie it for you.”