A family vacation is one of the best things people have ever invented. It is a time when you can gather a large number of relatives and spend a couple of wonderful weeks with them. The primary challenge when organizing such an event is almost always the selection of a suitable location. Most families consider resorts on the sea or ocean coast, national parks, mountain recreation centers and large cities with an abundance of museums, theaters, amusement parks and places for walks. However, those who are looking for something special will add the desert to the list of contenders. A vacation in such a place will be unforgettable. Is it right for your family? Read this article carefully, and you will find the answer to this question.
Why you should spend your vacation in the desert
Unusual landscape
The desert is attractive because it allows for observing unusual landscapes. Dunes, canyons, rock formations, dry river beds – you will not see all this at popular resorts. Also, unique plants are found in the desert, which make the landscape even more amazing. They adapt to the harsh desert conditions and set a good example for people spending their family vacation in such a place.
Variety of entertainment
If you think that there is nothing to do in the desert, you are wrong. The abundance of sand and minimal vegetation make it an ideal place for riding quad bikes, SUVs and other vehicles. It is challenging to collide with anything during such activities, allowing the whole family to participate. Also available in the desert are camel riding, hiking, rock climbing, helicopter and light aircraft flights.
Beauty of the starry sky
A family vacation in the desert should be spent at least because it will allow you to see a real star show. After sunset, street lighting in the desert is not turned on, resulting in most of the territory becoming very dark. Although this creates certain dangers, it offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the full beauty of the starry sky. It is enough to raise your head. Having done this, you will see millions of bright dots, and you will hardly be able to tear your eyes away from them even after several hours of observation.
Opportunity to get acquainted with a unique culture
The desert is a place where dozens of unique cultures intertwine. It has been formed for many centuries by the Berbers, Tuaregs and other nomadic tribes. Enchanting music, beautiful dances, dinner under the stars and rest in traditional Bedouin tents are just some of the things you can see and experience. The whole family is guaranteed to be delighted by learning about the culture of the desert inhabitants and will be able to discover more about the various tribes.
Absence of crowds of tourists
The desert is considered an exotic place for tourism. Not all travelers dare to come here, so you and your family will have a rest away from the crowds of people. This will allow you to spend several days in a calm atmosphere, where the loudest sound will be your night snoring. Additionally, the absence of numerous tourists will allow you to explore the place of rest more thoroughly and examine its various attractions in detail.
Reasons to refuse a vacation in the desert
Uncomfortable weather
The main disadvantage of the desert is the uncomfortable weather. During the day, in most places, the temperature often exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to 5-10 degrees. This means that you will experience both heat and cold during the day. The desert is also known for its sandstorms, which can ruin a family vacation for a long time.
Poorly developed tourist infrastructure
In the desert, you will not find dozens of hotels with premium rooms, numerous shopping centers and public transport that will take you to various attractions. Additionally, in many areas, there is no mobile connection, and the nearest hospitals are located hundreds of kilometers away. All this creates numerous problems for families accustomed to relaxing in comfortable conditions.
Need to adapt to challenging environmental conditions
Dry air, high temperatures, and sand that seems to cover your entire body – these are all serious disadvantages of the desert. Even adults will have a hard time adapting to the surrounding conditions and not noticing these disadvantages. If you are going on vacation with children, the situation will be even more terrifying. You will get used to it, but only after some time. However, by that time, you may only have a couple of days left to rest.
Many dangerous living creatures
There are many more living creatures in the desert than it initially seems. Many of them are dangerous to humans. Poisonous snakes and spiders, blood-sucking insects, and scorpions are just some of these creatures. It is impossible to eliminate them, even with the help of special means, so you will need to remain vigilant throughout your vacation. Can you see snakes with thermal imaging optics or find a spider in your tent with a night vision device? Yes, so you will have to always carry such devices with you.
High prices
Despite the low popularity of the desert among tourists, the prices for a holiday in such a place are always very high. They are explained by the difficulty of creating normal conditions for all family members, problems with the delivery of various goods (food, water, hygiene products, etc.), the need to pay for the services of a guide, without whom there is nothing to do in the desert, and many other factors.
Conclusions
A family vacation in the desert is both a good and a bad idea. Its advantage is the opportunity to experience unusual emotions that are not available to vacationers in megacities and seaside resorts. An extraordinary landscape, a variety of entertainment, the absence of crowds of tourists, acquaintance with a unique culture, and a daily star show in the sky – all this will make the vacation unforgettable. At the same time, a family vacation in the desert presents a challenge that not all travelers can handle. Uncomfortable weather, lack of developed tourist infrastructure, difficulty adapting to unfamiliar surroundings, an abundance of dangerous animals and high prices can make the family look forward to the end of the vacation.
Considering all the pros and cons of a vacation in the desert, it should be concluded that this type of vacation is suitable only for families who like to discover something new. It will also be the best option for travelers who are willing to endure the difficulties and dangers to gain the opportunity to explore places where other tourists rarely venture. However, if your family is accustomed to comfort and maximum safety, then it is better to forgo the desert and spend your vacation in a more traditional setting. In any case, the choice is yours. And only you decide what your family adventure will be.
