Whenever Morag reflects back on her Morocco trip, she doesn’t really remember the hard bits (even though there were quite a few), what she mostly remembers is the joy of being in the Sahara.
When I first saw we would be riding camels, I was not sure if my disabled body could handle it. The idea of getting on and off the camel seemed daunting, but I decided to give it a try.
I have a range of physical and mental health conditions that impact me in several ways including my movement; what I can eat; how fatigued I get; the fact I am in pain most days; neurological symptoms and more. They are invisible illnesses, unless I use a mobility aid, so from the outside its not obvious that I am disabled.
Getting on the camel required a bit of assistance. I found getting my right leg swung over high enough and wide enough a bit of a battle (especially when the camel is trying to stand up because it’s bored of how long it’s taking you). One of the staff helped by tugging my right foot over the last bit. So elegant.
Once I was on board, I felt surprisingly relaxed. Someone even asked me if I had been camel riding before because I looked so at ease. I even ended up leading the line. I guess my years of horse riding paid off.
Jokes aside, it was unlike anything I had ever done before. The expanse of the desert and the ease of how the camel could move through the sand made me feel like I could travel the entire world. The whole experience was breathtaking. I just remember looking along the camel’s neck, through its ears and across the ocean of sand slowly changing colour as the sun set on our day. I think no other animal on earth could make surviving in that harsh reality look so seemingly easy.
I was pretty sore the next day and felt the fatigue from it for a few days after. It was not an easy experience and it pushed me out of my comfort zone as a disabled person, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Being the Sahara was the highlight of my Best of Morocco trip.
With Intrepid, I can focus on managing myself and my health needs while having a great time, knowing that our leader takes care of everything else.
I’ve been in deserts before including the Namib Desert in Namibia and the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, but nothing compares to the epic scale of the Sahara. It’s full of beauty, adventure, danger, nature, and a feeling that is truly otherworldly. I felt if I rode my camel in a straight line we could just keep going through the dunes for ever and ever. It certainly gave me a newfound understanding for the importance of camels in traditional nomadic communities.
One thing I love about travelling with Intrepid is I know they care about animals and the communities they visit. Exploring alongside local leaders and supporting community initiatives is very important to me when I think about planning my travels. Morocco was my sixth Intrepid trip since my first, hiking in northern Thailand, and third since becoming disabled in late 2018 and it certainly won’t be my last.
With Intrepid, I can focus on managing myself and my health needs while having a great time, knowing that our leader takes care of everything else.
Although, I found packing for our night in the desert camp slightly stressful. Most people think ‘oh it’s just one night I’ll manage’ but it isn’t like that with chronic illness. I sent a slightly panicked message to our guide, who was fantastic throughout the trip, about how many spare days of meds to bring in the unlikely event we were stranded in the desert. He told me not to worry and to bring everything. I wondered how we would manage that because we were only supposed to have one bag each, but then an extra camel arrived. A camel with the sole job of carrying my medication backpack. I called him my ‘medicamel.’
When we bedded down in our desert camp, I could fully relax knowing I had everything I needed. Including of course, Sam the Blue Nose Dog. This wee guy has been with me for 14 years now.
Sam has been by my side for travelling and the many months I’ve spent in hospital. He has been with me for the five surgeries I have needed since 2018; countless scans, hospital admissions and appointments. I may be 28 but you’re never too old for a soft toy companion. The lady I was sharing a tent with had a soft toy penguin, so Sam had a friend too.
The camp was simple but for someone raised camping in the blooming cold Scottish countryside, sleeping in a warm tent on a proper bed with access to a flushing toilet and sink with running water felt more like glamping. There were some other groups staying in the camp as well, but it didn’t feel busy.
In the evening once we had made ourselves at home in our tents it was time to head through to the communal area. We shared fresh, homecooked Moroccan food. I enjoyed a vegetable tagine in this tranquil setting, surrounded by soft drapes and fabrics gently swaying in the stillness of the desert beyond.
Sahara reminds me of the strength and resilience I possess and the beauty that exists in the world, even in the most challenging of environments.
Once we had eaten our fill (at no point of the trip was there ever a shortage of food!) it was time to go back outside and sit around the campfire to watch a traditional music performance.
Almost everyone got up to join in the dancing and clapping. At one point we all did a giant conga line around the fire. I had the biggest smile on my face seeing how all these people from across the globe, some from our group and some from others, as well as local staff, could come together and share a moment of joy
Going without some modern comforts so you can wake up and watch the sunrise over seemingly never ending sands is something I will treasure for a long time to come. It reminds me of the strength and resilience I possess and the beauty that exists in the world, even in the most challenging of environments.
Visit the Sahara on a small group adventure to Morocco to experience camel rides, sunsets and fireside nightlife.
