Pack for Two Seasons in One Day

The Sahara's secret is the swing: a 30°C afternoon can hand you a 5°C night. Everything below follows from that one fact. This is the exact list we send Roza Tour travellers before every desert departure.

Clothing — Think Layers, Not Bulk

• 3–4 breathable long-sleeve shirts (sun protection beats T-shirts)
• 2 loose trousers — light colours; jeans are miserable in heat
• Warm fleece or down jacket for nights (yes, really)
• Beanie and light gloves November–February
• Cotton scarf or shesh — the Tuareg headwrap your guide will happily teach you to tie; sun, sand and wind in one accessory
• Sturdy closed shoes + camp sandals; ankle gaiters if you hate sand in socks

Sun & Skin

• SPF50 sunscreen and SPF lip balm — reapply, the dry air fools you
• Quality sunglasses (category 3+), wide-brim hat
• Heavy moisturiser and hand cream — desert air pulls water out of everything

Camp & Comfort

• Headtorch + spare batteries (hands-free beats phone torches)
• Sleeping-bag liner; in winter ask us about bag ratings — we supply bags on our tours
• Wet wipes and hand gel — showers are a town thing
• Small quick-dry towel, earplugs, reusable 1.5L+ water bottle

Electronics

• Power bank 20,000mAh+ — vehicle charging is limited, camps have none
• Ziplock bags or dry sacks for camera and phone — sand is the enemy
• Offline maps and playlists downloaded before you leave signal behind

Leave Behind

Drones (permits are effectively unavailable — they will be held at customs), heavy hiking boots, more than one "nice outfit", and anything you would cry about losing in sand.

Before You Book

Check the best season for your route, read the full Sahara guide, and sort your paperwork with the visa guide. Then pick your desert — we'll handle the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy gear in Algeria?
Basics yes (scarves, sandals, toiletries in Algiers or Tam), technical gear no — bring layers and torches with you.

Is there luggage weight to worry about?
Domestic flights south typically allow 20kg checked; pack soft duffels, not hard shells — they fit 4x4s far better.

What does Roza Tour provide?
Tents, mattresses, blankets/sleeping bags, all meals and water on desert nights — your list above is the personal layer.