Blog · Adventure
Sandstorm in the Sahara: with the nomads and their dromedaries
Endless dunes, the simple life of the nomads, and then the wind rises and takes the sky with it. Our trip into the heart of the Sahara – and what we learned about facing a sandstorm.
Living the desert up close
We travelled into the heart of the Sahara and lived alongside nomads and their dromedaries: the beauty of endless dunes, but also the harsh reality of desert life.
Then the wind came. And with it the sandstorms, one after another, pushing us to our limits.
Watch more on our YouTube channel.
What a sandstorm is like
The sky turns yellow, then orange, then disappears. Sand gets everywhere: in your eyes, nose, clothes and backpack. The wind is so strong that walking becomes hard work and visibility drops to a few metres. In those moments we understood why the nomads move with a calm that seems almost impossible: in the desert, whoever panics loses.
What we learned from the nomads
- Cover your head and face with a long cotton turban: it protects against sun, sand and wind and can be dampened to cool you down.
- Stop, don’t rush: when the storm is strong you take shelter, sit with your back to the wind and wait.
- The dromedaries know: they crouch down and close their eyes. Trusting their instinct helps.
- Water is life: drink little and often, and never waste it.
Practical tips for a desert trip
- Protect your eyes: by day sunglasses with UV400 protection; in a real sandstorm goggles or wraparound glasses are better.
- Loose, covering clothes, in layers: daytime heat and night-time cold are both extreme.
- Protect your gear: phone and camera in sealed bags, lenses cleaned with a soft cloth.
- Travel with people who know the desert: a local guide is your safety.
- Respect your hosts: listen, observe, ask before taking photos.
- Less is more: plastic doesn’t vanish in the desert either. Here’s our travel kit with less plastic.
To find out which lenses to choose for sun, sand and sea, read our guide to polarized sunglasses.
From our shop
Polarized sunglasses – Tawny acetate and walnut
- Polarized lenses with UV400 protection
- Temples in layered walnut and maple wood
- Spring hinges
Frequently asked questions
What should you do during a sandstorm in the desert?
Stop and take shelter, sit with your back to the wind, cover your mouth, nose and eyes and wait for it to pass. Don’t try to carry on with minimal visibility.
How do you protect your eyes in the desert?
By day with sunglasses with UV400 protection. In a real sandstorm, goggles or well-fitting wraparound glasses are better.
Why do nomads wear turbans?
A long cotton cloth wrapped around the head and face protects against sun, sand and wind, and is easy to adjust at any moment.
Do you need a guide to go into the Sahara?
Yes, travelling with local guides who know the desert, distances and weather is strongly recommended.
Live Nature
From reading to adventure.
Join our outdoor events or discover the projects we carry out in Sicily and beyond.
Keep reading
More stories from Nature
Polarized sunglasses: do you really need them at the beach?
Glare on the water, tired eyes, squinting: what polarized lenses actually do, when you need them and how to choose the right pair for the sea, boats and hikes.
Read
A travel kit with less plastic: what to pack
No leaking bottles, no clear plastic bag at airport security: a solid, light toiletry bag with far less plastic. Here is our checklist.
Read
Hiking trip on Mount Etna
A hike on Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano: a 3-day, 2-night trek at an altitude of 3,320 metres, taking in craters, lava and unspoilt wilderness. Find out more about the trip.
Read