Bivouac camping - sleep under the stars in Wadi Rum
Bivouac camping
Experience the true essence of adventure with bivouac camping, also known as sleeping under the stars. It is an experience that takes you back to the basics, allowing you to revel in the tranquil silence of the desert night, admire the breathtaking starry night sky, savor delicious Bedouin cuisine, and engage in meaningful conversations about life with us, the Bedouins, and each other. And the following morning, as the sun rises and casts its warm glow over the majestic mountains of Wadi Rum, feel the serenity surrounding you. Take a deep breath and let the refreshing air fill your lungs, listen to the first bird songs of the day, and appreciate the beauty of life in the desert.
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The Wadi Rum Nomads 'cave'
We call it our ‘cave’, but it is an overhanging rock formation that shields us from the sun, rain, and wind. We have also constructed a low wall in the traditional style to add an extra layer of protection and to create a more secluded atmosphere.
Location of our 'cave'
On the opposite side of our ‘cave’, you can climb up to the plateau or the mountaintop for the breathtaking views of Wadi Rum. These spots are perfect for experiencing both the sunset and sunrise. And, at night, the ’cave’ offers a great view of the billions of twinkling stars in the sky, making it a perfect spot for stargazing.
How sleeping under the stars works
After a day tour, your guide will take you to our ‘cave’. While you enjoy the beautiful sunset nearby, your guide prepares and cooks a delicious traditional Bedouin dinner.
When you return to the ‘cave’, our guide will serve our famous Bedouin tea for you to savor again. Once the dinner is ready, it will be served to you. As we follow the Bedouin tradition, we do not have tables and chairs for dining at the ‘cave’. Instead, we enjoy our meal seated on comfortable mattresses.
In the evening, you can learn about our rich Bedouin culture and music or stargaze and revel in the serene atmosphere and silence of the desert.
When it is time to sleep, your guide will set up the mattresses on a carpet for you. Additionally, he will give you a sleeping bag and liner. He will also have blankets for you in case of a cold night. However, we do not provide pillows, so please be aware of that. You are welcome to bring your own sleeping equipment if you would like, but it is not necessary.
The following day, you will wake up to the rising sun and have breakfast at the ‘cave’. Then, we will continue exploring the desert or head back to Rum village for check-out.
Facilities during bivouac camping
When you choose to camp at our ‘cave’, you will be experiencing a back-to-basics camping adventure. This means you will not have access to running water, a toilet, or a shower. So, while sleeping under the stars, showering will not be possible. However, you can freshen up at our campsite or your next accommodation the following evening. We have designated specific areas for you to use as ‘toilets with a view’. We kindly ask that you not leave any toilet paper or other non-biodegradable materials behind, as decomposition takes a very long time in arid areas like our desert. Thank you for helping us preserve our beautiful desert.
Stargazing at our 'cave' is fabulous
When bivouac camping is available
To help preserve our beloved homeland and ensure future generations can experience our magical desert, we have decided to limit the bivouac camping at our ‘cave’ to June, July, August, and September. Bivouac camping highly impacts the environment, and we want to do our part to reduce pollution and limit firewood collection. By using the same amount of wood for all our guests at our camp as we would use for just a few guests at our ‘cave’, we can help conserve our natural resources. Additionally, our camp provides bathroom facilities, which help to minimize pollution caused by human waste, toilet paper, and other non-biodegradable materials.
Our food and drinks
We offer buffet-style meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our breakfast spread includes bread and a selection of toppings such as oil and za’atar, labneh, hummus, cheese, jam, and eggs, along with Bedouin tea, coffee, and mineral water.
For lunch, we prepare a hot dish like Galayah Bandura, served with bread and various side dishes such as hummus, cheese, tuna, and salad. We also serve mineral water, Bedouin tea, and soda or juice as beverages.
For dinner, we serve traditional Bedouin dishes like Zarb, Kabsa, Magluba, or Saniya, which are freshly prepared and accompanied by bread, rice, and salads. After dinner, we offer either sweets or fruit. We serve mineral water, Bedouin tea, and soda or juice as beverages.
We do our best to accommodate your dietary requirements within the limitations of the desert.
Lastly, we provide free mineral water throughout your stay, so there’s no need to bring your own.
What our guests say about bivouac camping
Sleeping under the stars was the cherry on the top. the view at sunset and the sky showcasing the Milky Way in all its glory was to die for. Plus how many times do you actually get to sleep outdoors these days in absolute quiet and no pollution!? They offered foam mattresses and sleeping bags and blankets, although it was too warm to use them. We had dinner and breakfast next morning at the same site. Having no toilet could be an issue, but only if you make it into an issue. It was definitely worth it!
Anna, United Kingdom
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Our guide cooked us a wonderful lunch and dinner aft which we slept under the stars in a groomed site. He provided everything for a comfortable sleep, mattress pad, sleeping bag, and blankets. Our hot breakfast, again, cooked by our guide was wonderful.
Leesee, USA
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
While they call it a 'cave', it is more of an overhang near a stunning cliff, in the area where the white and red deserts meet. We hiked to a nearby rock outcropping to view the sunset, only to return to a fantastic dinner that was cooked in a pit. Similar to a very large dutch oven. After dinner, Fawaz entertained us with his musical talents while we sipped on Bedouin whiskey.
Mike, USA
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Do you want to read other reviews? You find many more reviews on our Tripadvisor account page and on Google.