Camping in Wadi Rum was high on the list of things to do before our trip to Jordan and it did not disappoint.
WHAT IS WADI RUM?
Located in southern Jordan, about three hours from the capital Amman or an hour north of Aqaba is the desert Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. Wadi Rum is everything you’d expect of a quintessential desert: it is extreme in summer heat and cold in winter; exacting on the Bedouin who live in it and vengeful on those who ignore its dangers. It features dramatic scenery with sandstone mountains, sand dunes and natural arches, the wadi the vast sandy valley beneath.
Wadi Rum has been inhabited since neolithic times but owes its fame to T E Lawrence who wrote extensively about his adventures here during the Arab Revolt in the early 20th century.
Since 2011 Wadi Rum has been declared as a protected world heritage site by UNESCO. The stewardship of the desert is shared with the local Bedouin who have been roaming the area for centuries. Only native Bedouin are licensed to take tours and accommodate overnight visitors.
BEST TIME TO VISIT WADI RUM
Like most deserts, days are warm to hot (very hot) and nights can be cool to freezing!
Spring (April, May) and autumn (October, November) are the best times to visit. We visited at the end of October and found this to be perfect. It was cool during the night and early morning, but comfortable throughout the day. During the summer months, May to September, day time temperatures are exceedingly hot at +40C.
EXPLORING WADI RUM WITH KIDS
There are a number of options for visiting Wadi Rum, from day trips, to overnight camping. We were overnighting in the desert at Obeid’s Bedouin Life Camp. The camp arranges all your activities whilst you are in the desert. It was easy to exchange WhatsApp messages prior to our trip to come up with a suitable itinerary for our family.
We met our driver at the Wadi Rum visitor centre, piling into the back of an old Toyota and set off into the desert. The drive to the camp gave us spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and desert, leaving us in awe of this beautiful, but harsh environment. Suddenly, we were at the camp, at the base of some rocky cliffs.
A JEEP SAFARI IN WADI RUM
After a welcome cup of tea we were off on our jeep safari, three hours, seeing the best sites of the desert. Our first stop was at some ancient carvings and inscriptions in the rocks. These Thaumadic and Nabataean inscriptions depict camel caravans, hunting warriors and various animals. They are surprisingly clear.
We then went deeper into the desert stopping at Lawrence’s house, where legend has it Lawrence stayed during the Arab Revolt. As there is little left of the house the main attraction is the remote location and the amazing view of red sand dunes.
Next, we stopped at Um Forth Rock Bridge, a natural rock bridge. We all climbed up to stand atop the rock bridge, a relatively easy scramble up some rocks before walking out on the bridge some 20 metres off the ground! A little scary to say the least, especially with your children.
As the afternoon drew on we stopped at Lawrence’s Spring. The spring was named in honour of Lawrence’s evocative description in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom:
In front of us a path, pale with use, zigzagged up the cliff-plinth….From between trees, in hidden crannies the rock, issued strange cries; the echoes, turned into music, of the voices the Arabs watering camels at the springs which there flowed out three hundred feet above ground.
The spring became an important waterhole for caravans between Syria and Arabia.
CAMEL RIDING IN WADI RUM
OVERNIGHT IN WADI RUM
The star lit sky at night, without any light pollution was spectacular.
CAMPING WITH KIDS IN WADI RUM
Our desert experience was organised by Obeid’s Bedouin Life Camp. This camp is for you if you want to experience the true desert, in the very heart of Wadi Rum, and enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality. It is ideal for small groups and those wanting to avoid the tourist crowd. It is located in a scenic, hidden spot of the Wadi Rum Protected Area near the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
The camp is run by Obeid Naser Alamamreh, an experienced desert guide holding the license of the Wadi Rum Protected Area Authority, and his two sons.
The tents are basic but comfortable, with all you need for an overnight stay. The black Bedouin tents are complemented with shared hot showers and flush toilet facilities.
There are a variety of different sized rooms, from doubles, to triples and even family rooms for five or six. There is solar power in your tent in order to light your room, but there is nothing to charge your phone! It is a chance to take a break from electronic devices. As we were here right at the end of October we definitely needed the warm blankets provided. The darkness and stillness at night is wonderful.
A traditional ‘zarb’ dinner is served in the communal tent. This consists of meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven. Seating is on the floor, sat on woven mats, with a fire to keep you warm in the cool of the night.
HIKING WITH KIDS IN WADI RUM
Up early the next morning it was pretty chilly but we all warmed up with a simple breakfast and hot tea around the fire. At 9am we were ready to set off for our three hour hike through the desert. We were equipped with plenty of water. We walked about 10 kilometres, initially across the desert and later through a huge siq (canyon) between the sandstone peaks.
Trekking through the siq was exactly the kind of hike the boys love, clambering up and over rocks with no set path to follow.
It was wonderful to actually hike through the desert and just like on the camels appreciate its vastness and quietness. Hiking in the heat of the desert with no water to be seen anywhere, really makes you appreciate what a tough place it is to live and travel through.
We trekked for three hours but it is possible to just do the hike through the siq. This would take just over an hour. A jeep would take you to and from the canyon, making it a much shorter, easier hike.
Wadi Rum should definitely be included in any trip to Jordan, preferably with an overnight stay camping in the desert.
Read Also:
Top 10 Things To Do In Jordan With Kids
A 10 Day Jordan Itinerary with Kids
Visiting the Dead Sea with Children
The Complete Guide to Petra with Kids
Have you been to Wadi Rum? Did you stay overnight?
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34 Comments.
Wow this looks amazing! I love the photos of you on top of the bridge, looks thin though, and on the camels! You all look so happy. If I ever find myself in Jordan, you be sure I’ll include this adventure on my itinerary! Thank you for sharing on #farawayfiles
Your shot of the bedroom made me smile. After reading the word ‘camping’, that wasn’t what I’d expected! Apart from Um Forth, everything about this looks suitable for children as young as mine (8 and 5), as well as older children like yours. Would you say that was the case? Really interesting read – thanks for sharing. #FarawayFiles
Glamping more than camping although they call themselves a camp! Definitely all suitable for younger kids except the rock bridge, although Flyyn was up there and he’s just 9. It’s fabulous to spend time in the desert and you can work out your activities depending on ages and interests.
Wow! I would call that tent almost more like glamping! It’s crazy beautiful! This would be such a dream! Would love to do this one day! #FarawayFiles
Definitely glamping more than camping..! It was fab.
That starlit sky looks amazing! I would love to take my kids on this trip, I think they would love everything about. Although that bridge does look a bit scary! #ExplorerKids
The sky at night in the desert is truly breathtaking. I’ve never seen so many stars. And the bridge was scary!
Wow! That looks amazing! I’m not sure I could have stood on the rock bridge; crawled maybe but not stood. What a fun and unforgettable family adventure.
I had to be very brave to get myself on the rock bridge. I was very glad to come back down!
Your family really do have the most amazing adventures. It’s something I would never have considered looking at doing before but this looks fab. Sarah #ExplorerKids
We love adventure..! We thought Jordan was all about Petra, the reason we went, but there is so much more, all within a few hours drive so very doable with kids.
You have visited some fantasic places with your kids and this looks another great adventure! To sleep under that perfect night sky in the dessert looks amazing. Mandy xx#ExplorerKids
We are very lucky to be able to travel on such adventures with our boys.
Hiking and camping in the desert are definitely on my bucketlist ! It must have been an amazing experience
I’m so impressed with your trip research prior you go. Very organised and planned out. I like to be spontaneous but in these kind of place you really do need a guide with you at all time. Like you said; this place is rather quintessential. I’m not so sure about the tent decor – I think I’d be too scared to sleep in there! lol! A 3 hour trek! Wow! Hands down to you and your family. You guys are for real! My O.H. wouldn’t even want to walk to the shop which is 10 mins walk up the road! lol! I’m a tad jealous! 😉 Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful journey through WADI RUM – literary! I take my hat off to you. Well done! xx #ExplorerKids
I’m an organiser so tend to get thing sorted beforehand, although it is great to have some spontaneity and flexibility too. My boys have just got used to the walking/hiking. They tend to prefer the more exciting treks, when they can climb rocks, run uphill etc. For them the most boring treks are on flat uninteresting pathways.
Oh your shot of the starlit sky is simply dreamy, as was the rest of your stay, it seems! What a fabulous experience to share with your kids. We love camping too, and that would be right up our street! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience x
#ExplorerKids
Hopefully you get to experience it one day.
Oh I love how you’ve described this – it’s really made me want to consider going. I’m surprised at how comfortable the camp looks. And oh my goodness that bridge!
You should definitely consider going. We had a fantastic nine day trip to Jordan , totally suitable for kids.
We have been looking at similar outings in Morocco – but the rocks and scenery around Wadi Rum, as well as the desert make this spot look just epic. What an amazing experience for your family. Thank you for sharing this with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Thank you for having me.
i showed my daughter and she agreed this looked awesome. Except the hiking in the desert bit. It looked much more comfortable than camping too!!! Coming from #familytraveltips
Definitely more glamping than camping!
Oh wow what an incredible, life changing experience! That sky looks amazing and all of the activities sound so much fun. I’m amazed at the luxurious camping facilities, that bedroom is lush! Thanks for sharing your experience on #MondayEscapes
Definitely more glamping than camping! The desert sky was beautiful at night, thanks to the complete lack of light.
What a brilliant adventure. Can there be anywhere on Earth that makes you feel so small as a desert? I could get lost in that starry sky! Thanks for sharing this on #MondayEscapes
Nowhere…except maybe amongst mountains.
oh I just love it what an absolutely wonderful adventure, I am incredibly envious of your trip.
Wow, what an incredible experience. That photo of the stars is just amazing, I looked at it for ages! I didn’t even realise you could do something like this, I would love it. The experience of a lifetime. Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips
Nat.x
We had a fantastic trip to Jordan in October half term. Real wow country.
What a wonderful trip! I loved Wadi Rum when there (pre kids) and would love to take them back. The camel ride through is epic! Your photos are fantastic! #familytraveltips
Wow what an amazing sounding experience. I’d love to visit Jordan but not once did I think about going camping in the desert. But this just sounds fantastic. And what an amazing photo of the Milky Way! Thanks for linking up to #wanderlustkids last month x
You must definitely spend a night in the desert if you visit Jordan. It was one of our highlights…a really special experience.