Heading into the Sahara? Our past trekkers have shared their tried-and-tested tips to help you prepare, pack smart and make the most of your Sahara Desert Trek challenge.
Footcare is Everything
You simply can’t search ‘Sahara Desert Trek tips’ without being advised about proper footcare. It’s one of the most vital areas to get right! Over the years, our past trekkers have shared plenty of advice about taking care of your feet in the desert.
- “You can never train too much and if you think your boots are broken in, they’re not. Break them in some more.” – Wendy Ebbrell
- “Learn how to tape your feet before you go – it will save them!” – Lucie Green
- “Prevent blisters before they form! Tape your feet from day one using kinesiology tape, such as SportTape, to reduce friction between your skin, socks and shoes. Practise during training walks to identify and protect your blister hotspots”. –Team Charity Challenge
- “Make sure you practice plenty in your boots and size up, as the heat made our feet swell“. – Roxane Caplan
- “When sand gets in your boots or socks, it acts like sandpaper against your skin and can worsen blisters. Try to keep it out the best you can, by emptying your boots/socks regularly, wearing walking boots that cover your ankle and tucking your trousers into your socks.” – Richard Simpkin, Challenge Leader
- “Consider trying toe socks, which separate your toes and can help reduce rubbing between them – a common spot for blisters to develop.” – Team Charity Challenge
- “Sand gaiters are designed to stop sand getting into your boots/socks, they’re particularly useful when wearing shorts or walking through soft sand and dunes. Some trekkers simply tuck their trousers into their socks, but gaiters provide an extra layer of protection.” – Team Charity Challenge
- “I highly recommend carrying a spare pair of dry socks in your daypack, so you can change into fresh socks during your lunch break – giving your feet a chance to dry out and recover.” – Jenn Payne, Challenge Leader
The Art of Keeping Organised
A little organisation goes a long way when you’re living out of a rucksack for five days.
- “Pack your belongings in dry bags. Such as t-shirts in one bag, trousers and medicines in another – because living out of a ruck sack can be difficult. But if you are organised in this way, not only will keep items dry but it will save time and effort searching.” – Rebecca Rigil
- “Try packing each day’s clothes into a separate packing cube or drybag and keeping your next day’s set at the bottom of your sleeping bag overnight. This makes early-morning packing much easier!” – Team Charity Challenge
- “Make sure you follow the checklist to the ‘T’. Literally almost everything I needed was mentioned in the list (and I brought everything suggested). Even some of the things I brought that I personally didn’t need, I shared with others who did. Also as suggested, bring lots and lots of blister plasters. You can never have enough blister plasters“. – Ugonna Okoro
- “Try not to overpack your duffle or daypack. Leaving a little room between items makes it much easier to quickly grab what you need when you’re on the move.” – Laura O’Connor
- “A handy tip is to use a daypack with a hip-belt pocket, or carry a small bum bag, so you can keep essentials within easy reach while walking, Perfect for items like SPF lip balm, tissues, your phone and high-energy sweets!” – Team Charity Challenge
Kit Tips from Past Trekkers
From desert essentials to keeping comfortable at night, here’s the kit our past trekkers recommend. If you’re booked onto a Sahara Desert Trek, you should of course always refer to the full Kit List, found here.
- “Remember to take the baby wipes!” – Salwa Karoji
- “Dry wash and wet wipes can be a real help on the Sahara Desert Trek, particularly when shower facilities are limited. They’re an easy way to freshen up at the end of a long day between proper showers.” – Team Charity Challenge
- “Don’t dismiss trekking poles! Whilst the terrain is more flat than you may first think, the trekking days are very long, so any knee support is a bonus.” – Hayley Gilling
- “There are no charging facilities in the desert but plenty of photographic opportunities with magical sunsets and stunning sand dunes, so make sure you take a portable battery charger. Even better, if you can get a solar one, you can make sure it charges your phone, headtorch and any other essential kit, and stays charged itself!” – Simon Albert, Charity Challenge Director
- “It is much colder at night than you think, so take plenty of warm clothes!” – Emma Thami
- “Temperatures can fluctuate enormously between day and night in the desert, so lots of light layers are key. Consider that lightweight long sleeve tops and long bottoms provide an extra layer of protection from the harsh sun in the day, as well as from insect bites at night!” – Team Charity Challenge
Fuel and Hydration Advice
Staying hydrated and well-fuelled is essential when trekking long days in the desert heat.
- “Rehydration sachets were essential – two bottles, or a bladder and a bottle, one with Rehydration salts and one without was a great shout!” – Bea Footitt
- “You should carry at least 3 litres of water while trekking to stay hydrated, particularly in hot conditions. If you sweat a lot, rehydration salts and electrolytes can also help replace what you lose – pack both!” – Team Charity Challenge
- “Practise using your water bladder before the trek, and avoid overfilling it to reduce the risk of bursting. It’s also important to keep the mouthpiece clean and protected from dirt and germs.” – Richard Simpkin, Challenge Leader
Keeping Cool
With hot days and strong sun, these simple tips can help you stay cool and protected.
- “Wet your Charity Challenge neck buff, and place it around the neck to help you cool down.” – Simon, Charity Challenge Director
- “For daytime sun protection, bring sun cream and an SPF lip balm/stick for lips, scalp, backs of hands (minimum factor 30 with UV and UVB protection), a wide brim hat and lightweight, moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirts/t-shirts to protect yourself from the harsh midday rays.“ – Laura O’Connor
- “I recommend taking a small microfibre flannel to clip on to your day pack, so you can wet it and keep cool as you walk.”– Rosie Graham
- “Don’t underestimate the use of a small foldable trekking umbrella for some instant shade.” – Ian Morton, Challenge Leader
Prepare Well and Enjoy the Journey!
Following the full information, advice and recourses found within your Participant Account Area will best prepare you for your desert adventure – leaving you free to fully enjoy each moment.
- “Read all the documentation and information provided thoroughly, as it tells you everything you need to know!” – Sarah Taylor
- “Follow the training plan! I did – in fact I did it and a little more and suffered no aches, no pains, no blisters and felt fresh on a daily basis.” – Sioux Bingham
- “You are in for an adventure. Put your phone away. Look at the stars. Pack ear plugs. Lean on others if you need to. Enjoy all the chats. Wear SPF. Be prepared to pack and unpack your bag a bazillion times a day. Bring an extra lip balm. Hand sanitizer is your friend. It’s a beautiful world out there, go explore it!” – Fiona Hatton
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