Mezouga Sahara Desert

The third day was the one I had looked forward to the most: we were finally going to the Sahara Desert, near the town of Merzouga. The idea of seeing the endless sand dunes and riding a camel into the desert sounded like something out of a dream. When we arrived, the view was just as I had imagined... golden dunes stretching as far as the eye could see, with the sun already starting to lower toward the horizon.

We joined a caravan of tourists, each of us riding a camel. At first, it felt surreal. But very quickly, the mood shifted. I became deeply uncomfortable and shocked by how the camels were being treated. It was clear that they were tired, stressed, and not well cared for. Both me and my best friend were so affected by it that the entire ride felt heavy. That experience marked a turning point for me. I promised myself I’d never take part in any kind of tour again where animals are used. I even remember wondering that night in the desert what it would take to set all the camels free.

We slept in a tent camp among the dunes. I was on edge most of the night, thinking about desert animals, the wind shaking the tents, and that mix of silence and wildness that surrounds you out there. Just before nightfall, there was a storm of sand, giving the desert a unique glow. In that short window of light, I took some photos of my best friend walking on the dunes, one of the rare calm moments of the day.

The desert was stunning, no doubt. But that day left a strong impression on me, not just because of the landscapes, but because it challenged me to see travel more consciously, and to make different choices going forward.