Bedouin Lifestyle Camp in Wadi Rum
When I was looking for things to do in Jordan, spending a night in the Wadi Rum desert was high on my list alongside visiting Petra.
However, trying to find out where I should stay, and understanding the different types of available accommodations was not easy. Thankfully, the place I stayed, Bedouin Lifestyle Camp, exceeded all expectations. So to avoid anyone else having the same trouble, here’s my review.
My decision to stay at Bedouin Lifestyle Camp did not come from a recommendation I found online, but from a chance meeting with a charismatic and humorous taxi driver called Mikkled. My friends and I met Mikkled in a hotel in downtown Amman, and asked him if he knew anywhere to stay in Wadi Rum.
His expression immediately lit up, and a huge grin appeared across his face. He bellowed the words, “I got friend, I got friend, he will look after you”.
Before we could ask any more questions, he called his friend and everything was arranged for us within a matter of moments.
We had put our trust and faith in Mikkled, a random taxi driver that we knew nothing about.
Mikkled joins the party
Mikkled’s overly inviting attitude made me feel a little apprehensive. Call me jaded, but I enjoy my private space and making decisions for myself. But for a lack of alternative options, mixed with his persuasive disposition, my friends and I relented to his offer.
However, there was something about Mikkled that made me want to go along for the ride. He had a certain cheekiness that looked like he knew how to have fun and I wanted to see where he’d take us.
There’s definitely something to be said about the blasé attitude you can adopt when travelling with friends as opposed to travelling solo. If I had been travelling solo, I doubt I’d have left my fate inside the hands of a taxi driver with a penchant for smoking shishas! Although I’ve been known to get myself into a few pickles, so I maybe I would lol.
Petrol is substantially cheaper in the Middle East compared to in the UK, so the cost of Mikkled driving us there was affordable since we could split the cost four ways.
Instead of driving back home, Mikkled announced he would stay over at Wadi Rum to make his journey worth it. Whilst this is certainly true, we also got the hint that it was an excuse for him to enjoy the company of his friends, have a smoke, and have a night away from domestic life! Either way, the party of four, had turned into a party of five.
Arrival in Wadi Rum
As we approached Wadi Rum, we arrived at a base camp, met our guide and transferred into a 4 x4.
Soon enough, we were greeted by miles upon miles of rose coloured desert. After watching Indiana Jones and Lawrence of Arabia, it felt like we were starring in our own adventure film.
A film which consisted of a lot of lazing about and rolling down sand dunes – not quite the foray of intense action, but it was our choice. I don’t think it would have made a splash in Hollywood.
Arrival at Bedouin Lifestyle Camp
One of the most memorable moments of being in Wadi Rum came when we drove around a huge canyon and clapped eyes on Bedouin Lifestyle Camp for the first time. Aside from all the ooohhhss and aaahhhhhss I was utterly speechless and couldn’t wait to get up close.
The camp is situated in a remote area with a breath-taking view of canyons and sand dunes.
The accommodation, tent cabins, caters between 2 -4 people – there’s also some family tents if I remember correctly.
Each tent comes is fitted with a bed and is decorated in lively traditional patterns and colours. There’s even a little window that you can open which offers a glorious view of the desert.
There’s also a large, communal tent where breakfast and dinner is served.
And an outside toilet and washing facilities including showers. The water runs cold (or at least did, it’s possible that they might have hot water now). Either way, you’re in the desert, things are going to be basic.
Excursions in Wadi Rum
Bedouin Lifestyle Camp offers a variety of activities such as hiking, Jeep safaris and riding on camels. We opted for a Jeep Safari which you can read about here: Windswept – Exploring Wadi Rum by Jeep
A night at Bedouin Lifestyle Camp costs 25JD, which is approx. £23 and that includes dinner and breakfast – you don’t need me to tell you how good is this price!
The price invariably increases once you add on activities, so if you’re on a budget and can only afford to do one thing then the Jeep Safari is a good choice as it takes you to see many of the main attractions. You can stop off to explore as much as you like.
Traditional dinner at Bedouin Lifestyle Camp
After our day’s adventure, the evening followed with a dance around a camp fire and an almighty feast, gorging on a traditional Bedouin BBQ known as a Zarb. This is a method whereby the food is cooked in an underground ‘oven’ (like a pit) covered with sand.
Finally, after lots of stargazing we all retreated into our cabins and went to sleep with the easy realisation that putting our fate in Mikkled was the best decision we could have made…
So thanks Mikkled, we owe you one!
4 Responses
Is that Mikkled smoking the big pipe? No way I’d trust him!
Oh yes that’s the one and only Mikkled! He showed us a good time! 😀
Oh my gawd, first you got me hooked to your blog with the dogsledding and now this!! Sign me up! That very first picture is so ironic, Shing, because I’m writing a Harrison Ford Top 10 for this Friday and of course The Last Crusade is on there. That was the immediate reaction I had when your post pulled up! I would want to try as much of the attractions as possible but I love your suggestion of the jeep trek to get in several of them with one jaunt. Great posts and the pictures are absolutely beautiful! 🙂
Haha we’re pretty in sync aren’t we Mike? During our trip we were definitely humming along to the theme tune of The Last Crusade, it’s impossible not to feel like Mr Harrison Ford!