There are few places on earth like Wadi Rum, the protected desert area in southern Jordan. Itâs for this reason that you see it represented as other planets in so many films; Wadi Rum is truly otherworldly in its beauty. Since Wadi Rum is not a one-day destination, youâll need accommodation for at least one night there during your Jordan itinerary.
But how can you choose among the many options for Wadi Rum camps now available? In my opinion: go with one of the pioneers - Sun City Camp - which was one of the first large camps in Wadi Rum and pioneered the âMartianâ domes you now see all over social media. If youâre uncertain whether to stay at Sun City Camp based on your Jordan trip research, Iâm here to help.
In this Sun City Camp review, Iâll share my experience staying here twice - once in 2016 and again 2022 - and whether I think this particular camp is worth staying at. As youâll see, Iâm loyal to this particular camp and will continue to stay in the future, and after reading, I hope you will too.
Choosing a Wadi Rum Camp
In the six years since my first visit to Jordan, a lot has changed in Wadi Rum: a large number of new camps have popped up throughout the desert area. Most of these are capitalizing on the ideas that Sun City pioneered with âMartian domesâ and varying levels of luxury accommodation.
Iâve shared my personal list of the best Wadi Rum camps, and after a return visit, I stand by my assertion that Sun City Camp is one of the best. While they may not be as flashy or have as many Instagram influencers staying there, theyâre an established company that takes care of guests and provides a nice stay at a reasonable price.
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To be clear, there are plenty of choices if you donât like Sun City Camp or want more or less from your stay in Wadi Rum. I personally will keep returning to Sun City Camp because theyâve been reliably great to stay.
In addition to the many photos of Sun City Camp youâll find in this review, I wanted to share a few videos I made following our stay. As you can see, even photos donât quite capture the magic of this place.
For more details, read on to decide if Sun City Camp is right for you. (Spoilers: it is!)
Bedouin Tents vs. Martian Domes
Your primary choice at Sun City Camp is to choose between their Bedouin tents (black and white striped rectangular tents with interior walls) or their Martian Domes. I believe Sun City Camp was the first to introduce the geodesic domes. In any case, the choice is really up to you and your budget.
Most of the tents now have big windows facing out across the desert, just like the domes, so you donât miss out on the view for choosing one over the other. They also all have either one double or two twin beds and a full bathroom with shower.
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I am personally partial to the Martian domes because Iâm a big space nerd, but youâll be equally comfortable in either one.
Inside the Domes & Tents at Sun City Camp
If youâre curious about what itâs like inside the Martian Domes at Sun City Camp, I recommend watching the videos I shared above, especially the second one. That gives you a really accurate sense of the size of each tent and whatâs included.
In short, the domes are quite large and can fit either a queen or two twin beds comfortably. Thereâs also a seating area, a small kitchenette with a mini-fridge and coffee maker, and a closet. Thereâs a full bathroom with a large shower and western-style toilet and sink so you have all the creature comforts despite being out in the desert.
The traditional Bedouin-style tents at Sun City Camp are similar: they can have a double bed or two twins, and have all the standard amenities. The main difference is that the tents are square compared to the domes.
Both tents and domes have a large window facing out toward the desert (all face the same direction, so you arenât looking in at a neighbor from your tent or dome) and thick curtains to close during the day and keep the heat out.
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Meals & Amenities at Sun City Camp
During a stay at Sun City Camp, full-board means youâll have all three meals included each day (or dinner/breakfast for a single-night stay). Buffet meals are provided in the giant dome - another new development since my first stay so many years ago. In the dome, there are tables and chairs for parties of all sizes, or you can take your food out to the seating areas near the main tent.
Each night, Sun City Camp has a traditional Zarb dinner; this is a must-try if youâre visiting Jordan. Zarb is a goat and chicken dish cooked in a subterranean oven, and thereâs a big show of pulling out the three-tier cooking tray each evening before dinner is served.
Additionally, thereâs a bar area where you can order tea and coffee; Iâm not sure if alcohol is offered, but personally I avoid alcohol when Iâm in the desert since itâs already so easy to get dehydrated!
Add-On Excursion Options
During your stay at Sun City Camp, youâll want to enjoy all of the other activities available at Wadi Rum. The staff at Sun City can help you book any of the following, especially if you reach out in advance:
- Sunrise or sunset camel ride (Having done both, I recommend sunset)
- Sunrise, morning, afternoon, or sunset Jeep or 4Ă4 tour to some of Wadi Rumâs famous sights and sites
- Hot air ballooning (seasonally)
- Hiking (of various lengths)
- Sandboarding
- Stargazing (offered in partnership with Rum Sky)
While it might not seem like thereâs much to do in the desert, there are plenty of activities to enjoy that can be arranged through Sun City Camp during your stay; most (if not all) will have an additional cost so I recommend reaching out to schedule them in advance once you book your stay.
Sun City Camp Review: My Overall Thoughts
As you can probably tell, I love staying at Sun City Camp and plan to do so on future Jordan trips. There are lots of options for Wadi Rum camps nowadays, but Sun City is one of the originals - and theyâre still great. Theyâve been successful and able to grow the property adding Martian domes and the giant dining dome as well as large windows to the Bedouin tents; I expect theyâll continue to innovate and improve their experience in the future.
Recapping my Sun City Camp review, I absolutely recommend a stay at this Wadi Rum camp. You can enjoy all of the best that Wadi Rum has to offer during your stay at Sun City Camp, from sleeping âunderâ the stars to incredible traditional meals and Bedouin hospitality. While other Wadi Rum camps might get more attention on social media, you canât go wrong with an established accommodation like Sun City Camp - and itâs closer to the main road cutting down on travel time across the desert.
Ready to book your stay at Sun City Camp? Book on Booking.com or Hotels.com; rates start from about $170 per night.
Have any other questions about staying at Sun City Camp and my review?
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