September 2025
September soared by with the preparation of a signature hand-crafted Taleeleh itinerary for guests visiting in October. This included a scouting trip to Wadi Rum to visit a few camps we’d heard great things about, and meet with the locals who take care of them.
Anyone who has been to the desert in Jordan will tell you: it’s the indigenous Bedouin community that is the highlight of almost any visit, from their legendary hospitality to their everyday antics (don’t panic if your jeep driver decides to open his door and hang his entire body out of the truck while traversing a sand dune - this is a stunt he’s probably been practicing since age 12).
Anyone who has been to the desert in Jordan probably also knows that there is enormous variety in the style and quality of accommodations offered. Though they all offer the basics: camel rides, jeep tours, and a place to sleep under the stars, each one seems to have its own distinct character. So what is it that makes a Wadi Rum camp great? It is our strong opinion that in Wadi Rum, fancier by no means equals better. For us, the winning combination is prime location, cleanliness, and authenticity.
Location
We’re looking for camps whose locations offer an excellent view of the mountains and sand dunes, one that’s not littered with the silhouettes of other camps. We strongly prefer camps located within the Wadi Rum Protected Area, which generally feels better regulated, less populated and more wild.
Pictured right: the ACTUAL view from a private room balconies at one of the camps we visited.
Cleanliness
This doesn’t need much of an explanation, except to say that it exists on a wide spectrum in Wadi Rum, from the ultra-luxe to the ultra… “rustic.” The camps we recommend always have private bathrooms, white bedding, and food we’d actually want to eat after a day exploring the desert.
Authenticity
It’s not an entirely unproblematic concept, but when we say authenticity we mean camps that honor the heritage of the Bedouin tribes that have resided in this desert for centuries (basically, less bubbles and more bayut sha’ar - the traditional black and white goat hair tents). We’re always on the lookout for the most inviting campfire, as this is the heart of the camp, the place where guests will congregate to while away evening hours sipping sage tea and stargazing.
We also prefer camps owned and operated by members of the local community.
Though the quest for accommodations which meaningfully complement the wild magic of Wadi Rum is never-ending, nothing brings us greater joy than embarking on the journey, and sharing our discoveries with our guests.
