INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER SATURDAY 22 JANUARY 2011 …...The tailor-made travel specialist Scott Dunn...

6 INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER SATURDAY 22 JANUARY 2011 THE INDEPENDENT

The big six

Wadi Rum PrivateCamp JordanThis camp is designed for trav-ellers who seek more solitudethan is usually found in thecampsites around Wadi Rum –and who can afford to pay forthe privilege. It is a moveablecamp, set up to suit the day’sconditions within the sandstone valley. Guests arrive in time for sunset overthe red sand and rocks, and anauthentic Bedouin dinner iseaten under the stars.The tailor-made travel specialistScott Dunn (020-8682 5075;scottdunn.com) sells one-weekpackages to Jordan, including onenight at the Wadi Rum PrivateCamp. Prices start at £2,175 perperson, including flights, transportand half-board accommodation.

Sahara SafariCamp MoroccoSpecialist Morocco offers this newluxurious safari-style camp, sevenhours’ drive from Marrakech, orfive from Ouazazarte. It has eightprivate sleeping tents and shower/bio-loo tents, solar-poweredlanterns and a large salon.Sahara Safari Camp, Mhamid, Morocco(020-7193 2461; saharasafaricamp.com). Tents sleeping two start at£120, full-board, including guidedwalks and a half-day camel trek.

Desert NightsCamp OmanThough it’s only a two-hour drivefrom Muscat, Desert Nights Campfeels like a completely differentworld to the Omani capital. Setin an oasis in the Wahiba Sands,the 30 Bedouin-style tents hereare as comfortable as they areremote, with double and family-sized tented suites that comecomplete with bathrooms,electricity and minibars. In a nicenod to the location, guests aregiven fresh dates and Arabiccoffee on arrival. Desert Nights Camp, Al Wasil, Oman (00 968 92 81 83 88;desertnightscamp.com). Double tentsstart at 93 rials (£156), half board.

Three Camel LodgeMongoliaGuests at this stylish Gobi Desertlodge stay in one of 20 ger tents,each with a wood stove, hand-painted beds, artisan-made fur-nishings and a private bathroom(freebies include locally produced toiletries and camel-milk moisturiser).Three Camel Lodge, South Gobi,Mongolia (00 976 11 313 396; three-camellodge.com). Doubles start atUS$160 (£103), full board.

Wilderness CampIndiaAn offshoot of Rajasthan’s lovelyRohet Garh hotel, this desertcamp is equally magical. Guestscan expect six richly decoratedtents overlooking the desert-scape and star-gazing at night. Wilderness Camp, Rohet, Rajasthan,India (00 91 29 36 268 231; rohet-garh.com/wilderness.htm). Tents fortwo start at Rs11,000 (£157), includingall meals and standard transfers.

Kerdan CampEgyptKerdan is the latest openingfrom Desert in Style, which spe-cialises in remote but luxuriousfixed camps in the EgyptianSahara. It is set within the“White Desert” national park,close to spectacular rock forma-tions and “white mushrooms”,huge fungi-shaped geologicalformations carved by wind andsand. Named after the tradi-tional necklaces worn byBedouin women, the camp’s 12 tents each come with a smallterrace and guests also have useof private bathroom facilities.Kerdan Camp, between Baharia andFarafra, Egypt (00 20 2 2419 3451;desertinstyle-egypt.com). Doublesstart at US$100 (£65), half board.

Luxurydesertcamps

BY RHIANNON BATTEN