Glamping is a nature holiday that combines the experience of camping with the comfort of a hotel. The word joins “glamorous” and “camping”. Instead of a tent and a sleeping bag, you stay in an equipped tent, a cabin or a dome with a real bed, air conditioning and electricity, while staying close to the views and the quiet.
In short:
- Glamping = camping without the hassle: a comfortable bed, air conditioning and power.
- No need to bring a tent, a mattress or sleeping gear.
- Great for couples, families with children and groups.
- In Israel you can go glamping in the desert, in the north, in the Negev and by the sea.
- At Camp Sahara, in the northern Dead Sea area, guests stay in air-conditioned geodesic domes, each with its own garden.
In recent years, glamping has become one of the biggest trends in travel. Everyone is talking about it, but what is glamping, exactly? The word blends two others: glamorous and camping. Glamping means an upgraded outdoor holiday. You still sleep close to nature, but instead of a sleeping bag you stay in a tent or a cabin with real comforts: a warm bed, air conditioning, bedside tables, lighting and even fixed power outlets.
If you have always dreamed of camping but were put off by the hassle (let’s be honest, not everyone wants to sleep in a sleeping bag in the middle of the desert), glamping is probably what you are looking for. The trend started in the nature reserves and safari parks of the United States and Africa, grew fast, and arrived in Israel a few years ago. It was welcomed warmly here, because it lets people enjoy a real outdoor holiday that is clean and comfortable, with no roughing it.
Why choose a glamping holiday?
The pandemic changed many things, including the way we travel. Many people now prefer to skip flights and crowded hotel lobbies. A comfortable glamping break gives you fresh air, rest and time in nature, and an experience that feels very different from a hotel.
After long periods spent at home, body and mind simply need new views and open space. So it is no surprise that more and more travellers pick glamping for their time off.
Who is glamping for?
Glamping suits couples looking for a romantic getaway in nature, and families who want to spend quality time together on a holiday that is a little out of the ordinary. It is also a great fit for nature lovers, and for anyone who wants to be pampered while still feeling close to the land: a good mattress, a proper shower at the end of a day of hiking, and the quiet of the outdoors.
What is glamping like in the desert by the Dead Sea?
Glamping sites have been around in Israel for several years, but glamping by the Dead Sea is still a fresh idea. Camp Sahara is a glamping site in the northern Dead Sea area, next to the Biankini holiday village and about 25 minutes’ drive from Jerusalem. Instead of tents, guests stay in geodesic domes. A geodesic dome is a round structure made of triangles that together form a sphere, and sleeping in one is a truly special experience.
The family domes at Camp Sahara are 30 square metres and are built for families. They come fully equipped: king-size beds with orthopedic mattresses, quality bedding, air conditioning, a coffee corner and fridge, power outlets and lighting. Each dome also has its own shaded garden with grass and a wooden picnic table, so you get privacy outdoors too.
The camp has plenty of facilities that make an outdoor holiday easy, even for people who are not “outdoorsy”: a bathing beach within walking distance with natural mineral mud, a large shower and toilet block with separate areas for men and women, a shared paved kitchen area with sinks and work surfaces, a heated adult pool and a toddler pool.
Can you go glamping with a caravan?
For some people, the best outdoor holiday is one on wheels. We mean caravans and motorhomes, just like the ones in the movies. If you love travelling by road or live in a caravan, good news: Camp Sahara has a place for you too, with dedicated caravan pitches that include fixed water and power hook-ups, a private 16 square metre garden and soft ambient lighting.
Now that you know what glamping is, it is time to try it yourself. Stay in one of our domes, or bring your own caravan and park with us at Camp Sahara by the Dead Sea. Spend your free time resting, eating well and exploring the many trails and attractions in the area.
What is the difference between glamping and camping?
The main difference is who takes care of the gear and the comfort. When you camp, you bring everything and set it up yourself. When you glamp, everything is ready when you arrive.
- Sleeping: camping means a sleeping bag on the ground. Glamping means a real bed with bedding.
- Gear: for camping you bring a tent, cooking gear and lights. For glamping the unit is already equipped.
- Weather: a tent is hot in summer and cold in winter. Glamping units usually have air conditioning.
- Power: campsites often have none. Glamping units have outlets, lighting and often a fridge.
- Nature: both let you sleep close to the landscape, the sky and the silence.
Glamping in Israel: where can you go?
Israel has glamping sites in almost every region: the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, the Negev and the Arava, the Galilee and the Golan Heights, and along the coast. Each site offers its own style of stay, from furnished tents and cabins to caravans and geodesic domes. Glamping in the desert adds wide open views, starry night skies and a kind of silence that is hard to find in the city.
If you are looking for glamping at the Dead Sea, Camp Sahara is in the northern Dead Sea area, about 25 minutes from Jerusalem and around 75 minutes from central Israel. See all our accommodation options: family domes, a couples’ suite, a group lodge, a VIP caravan and caravan pitches.
Glamping FAQ
What is glamping?
Glamping is comfortable camping: a stay in nature in an equipped tent, cabin or dome, with a real bed, air conditioning and electricity. You enjoy the views and the quiet of the outdoors without carrying gear or sleeping on the ground.
What is the difference between glamping and camping?
When you camp, you bring a tent, a sleeping bag and gear and set everything up yourself. When you glamp, you arrive at a ready, equipped unit with a bed, lighting and usually air conditioning. The nature experience is similar; the comfort is very different.
Where does the word glamping come from?
Glamping is a blend of two English words: glamorous and camping. It describes outdoor stays that offer the comfort of a hotel.
Who is glamping for?
Glamping suits couples looking for a romantic break in nature, families with children, groups of friends, and anyone who loves the outdoors but wants to sleep in comfort.
What should I bring for glamping?
You usually do not need sleeping gear or a tent. Bring comfortable clothes, a hat, sunscreen and walking shoes, and check in advance what is included. At Camp Sahara, for example, guests in the family units bring their own towels.
Is there air conditioning when glamping?
Most glamping sites have air conditioning, and it is one of the big differences from camping. At Camp Sahara all accommodation units are air-conditioned all year round, for hot Dead Sea summers and cool winter nights.
Where can I go glamping in the desert in Israel?
Israel has desert glamping in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea area, the Negev and the Arava. Camp Sahara is in the northern Dead Sea area, next to the Biankini holiday village and about 25 minutes from Jerusalem.
Can I bring my dog?
It depends on the site, so it is worth asking ahead. At Camp Sahara, small-breed dogs are welcome.