Our Story

From the desert with love

Umnya means Wish in Arabic, it was selected because of the shooting stars in Erg Chegaga!

Our story started with a chance meeting deep in the heart of the Sahara desert between our chief nomads; Anas and Salah. Anas, with a background in luxury tourism was introduced to Salah, a true nomad living in the desert, during an excursion. They spent hours getting to know each other, talking about their lives, the nomad lifestyle, the desert, how they are living and happy with nothing, smiling all the time and dancing rain or shine.

Anas and Salah connected instantly, they were both in awe of the magical land that surrounded them - completely disconnected with reality. After receiving phone calls from Salah everyday, for 15days following their first meeting, Anas agreed to return to see the land…a vast and breathtaking space that was was soon to become home to Umnya.

Within three months, Umnya Dune Camp was born. It’s entirety is built upon foundations of a love for the desert, and true nomadic lifestyle.

So, our nomads now invite you to decompress amongst the rolling dunes and omnipresent sand. Forget the busy tempo of daily life, and as the sun sets fast, red and gold; watch as the night donates one of the desert’s greatest gifts; a darkness only to be found in such isolation.

This is Umnya.