Description
My name is Mohammed and I am a bedouin living in the Wadi Rum village in the Wadi Rum protected area. I run my own tour and camp business for tourists here in Wadi Rum. The village I live in has been here for over 2000 years. Many of the rock inscriptions from that time can be found among the surrounding desert landscape and mountains. The camp that I run for tourists is located deep within the desert area, a permanent camp with bathrooms, showers and sleeping tents for the tourists. I also run many tours with my business, including jeep tours, camel tours, rock climbing, etc.

We are a family run business, you will be treated with respect. We are not expecting huge amounts of work from you. We are happy to accept solo male travellers and couples.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Hospitality/Tourism
Language practice
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Wadi Rum village is populated by bedouin from the Alzalabeh tribe which have lived in this area for generations. Many of the villagers speak English as we have many tourists that visit our desert. Me and my family are all very friendly and love meeting new people and showing hospitality. You will get to experience our authentic bedouin culture, sitting around the campfire, singing songs and eating our traditional cuisine. It is also a good chance to learn some arabic!
Help
We require help to keep the camp running smoothly. The tasks are simple and can vary on a day to day basis and will leave you with some spare time during the day, which you can spend how you wish.
Languages spoken
Arabic: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You will be staying for most of your stay in the camp and occasionally at my house in the village. When in the camp, if it's not too busy you will be able to have your own private tent. If the camp is full we can make you up a bed in the big dining tent. The camp is equipped with permanent showers and toiliets. The camp is located in the Wadi Rum Protected Area, it looks out onto open plains of the desert and is nestled amongst some nice rock formations. In your free time during the day, you are free to explore the desert. There are some nice canyons within walking distance of the camp and ample walking trails.
What else ...
When you are not helping out there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the desert. Camel riding, jeep tours, rock climbing, scrambling, hiking and more, including exploring a beautiful mountain spring that has existed for over 2000 years. This is also the area made famous by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) so it is steeped in a rich and diverse history.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 213715847889

Feedback (3)

3 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Joseph ) for host

Staying with Mohammad and his family for two weeks was an exceptional experience. His wife made us traditional meals, and everyone treated us like family. There is little to do during the day if you aren't doing a tour with his crew, so be prepared to keep yourself entertained. Being able to experience the wadi rum village life and help with his… read more

(Excellent )

29 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Matthew) for host

During my stay in Wadi Rum I spent some time helping Mohammad with his camp and in the village with computer work for his business. Mohammad is super friendly and a great host. I always felt extremely welcome in his home and he was very appreciative of the help I was able to provide.

At the camp. the help that was required changed day-by-day… read more

(Excellent )

17 Sep 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Benjamin)

From the beginning, Ben felt like a member of the family. He helped me advertise and reply to requests for the tours in Wadi Rum. At the same time, he was helpful and easy to deal with, and not complicated. He even worked with his hands in the camp to help me set up tents. He stayed with me for 20 days. During his stay, we had a lot of fun and… read more

(Excellent )

3 Sep 2016

Left by Workawayer (Benjamin) for host

I came to Wadi Rum at the worst time of the year. The summer was at its hottest, and the tourist season was low. But that didn’t stop Mohammed from giving me a remarkable first experience of Jordan, and the middle east as a whole.

Mohammed lives in Wadi Rum village with his wife, and two precious children. The village itself is actually one… read more family with many brothers and cousins. I felt welcomed into Wadi Rum not only as Mohammed’s guest but as a brother to the whole village.

Mohammed runs a fast growing tour company, consisting of Jeep, Climbing, and Camel tours, based out of two locations. The first is his guest house in the village, where there is fast internet, and even a few small family-run corner stores. The second is his recently finished camp in the middle of the Wadi Rum desert. While cellular reception in the camp is limited (as well as no internet), it has running water and electricity. As a volunteer, I stayed in both of these locations, and they were incredibly comfortable.

There are quite a few tour companies in the village, but are all run by the big Bedouin family, so Mohammed takes no issue with helping others in the village, many of which will be eager for your help translating an email, or re-wording their websites. There is lots to be done in Wadi Rum, but all of the work is varied and rewarding.

As an American, I was a little hesitant traveling in the Middle East, but the people of Jordan and specifically the Bedouins will immediately put you at ease, offering you tea and asking about your life back home. They truly want to make as much of a good impression on visitors as I did on them. Mohammed and I had very rewarding discussions about the difference between our cultures, and his positive outlook on the future of his country. Jordan right now is growing, and a lot of the growth is happening in the tourism industry. Being a part of this development, knowing that I was helping to improve the livelihoods of these people, left me feeling very fulfilled with my work here.

I had been warned before coming that the style of food would cause some digestive issues, but I actually felt better eating traditional Bedouin and Jordanian dishes. Mohammed’s wife is an excellent cook and makes a point of letting you taste the most important traditional dishes during your stay. As the Bedouins are so inclusive, I was invited to several family gatherings, parties, and even a wedding. Here I learned how to eat in the traditional style, danced like a Bedouin to traditional music, and had great conversations with the locals about their lives in Wadi Rum.

Staying with Mohammed in Wadi Rum was one of the most incredible and growing experiences of my life, and is one a westerner (or easterner) shouldn’t go without having. I can’t wait to volunteer again for Mohammed in the future, and continue to be a part of his growing business and family. Jazak Allah Khairan (جزاك اللهُ خيرًا) Mohammed!

(Excellent )

View all 3 feedbacks

Photos

This will be your room at night, and it is our shared area for drinking tea with guests during the day. A/C and ceiling fan available.

This is my house. My family lives in the house on the right, and the small house in front of the truck will be yours to sleep in.

Enjoy the sunset from my camp!

We can also arrange hot air balloon tours as well.

2000 year old cave drawings by the Nabateen.

Show all photos

This is my permanent camp out in the desert.

This is how we enjoy sleeping under the stars.

Sharing Tea with my mountain climbing guests

Enjoy sandboarding on your day off!

The moon as seen from nearby my camp

Drinking tea while my guest mountain climbs behind me!

Feedback

3 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Joseph ) for host

(Excellent )

29 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Matthew) for host

(Excellent )

17 Sep 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Benjamin)

(Excellent )

3 Sep 2016

Left by Workawayer (Benjamin) for host

(Excellent )

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Help to run a camp in Wadi Rum. Enjoy the desert while you volunteer!

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Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

Languages spoken

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (3)

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