La Belle Etoile is a permanent camp by the impressive sand dunes at Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert. Camping beneath the stars in time-honoured fashion, with lamps lighting your way after dark, is a wonderful way to experience the vastness and silence of the desert.

Tents are made of camel skin and with floors covered in rugs, and are typical of those used by local people, providing warm and cosy shelter. You'll have a comfy bed with all the bedding included, and a electricity for light after dark. There are 2 categories of tents: standard, which use shared bathrooms located in a separate building on site, and luxury which are larger and have en-suite facilities with a shower, hand basin and flush toilet. Both the communal and en-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water.

Meals are served in the dining tent, all guests eating together sharing the freshly prepared food. Drinks including tea, beer and wine, are served outside by the campfire. You'll have the opportunity to climb a sand dune to witness a dramatic sunset and the changing colours of the sky from a prime vantage point, before heading back to camp for dinner.  

From the camp you can venture out into the desert by 4x4. The driver-guide is an expert on the local area and can take you to places of interest, to drive up and down dunes and get some amazing photos. You can also meet local nomadic people if you wish, for an insight into a lifestyle so different to your own.