Wadi Rum Magic Camp offers a unique and enchanting desert experience in the heart of Wadi Rum, Jordan. This camp is known for its authentic Bedouin hospitality and stunning natural surroundings. Located in the famous Wadi Rum desert, also known as the Valley of the Moon, the camp provides an opportunity to escape the chaos of everyday life and immerse oneself in the tranquility of the desert. The camp is situated in a beautiful sandy area surrounded by majestic sandstone cliffs and panoramic views of the desert landscape. Accommodation in Wadi Rum Magic Camp consists of comfortable Bedouin-style tents, which are designed to provide a cozy and traditional experience. Each tent is equipped with comfortable beds, blankets, and pillows to ensure a pleasant night's sleep.
An example of a well delivered DLC, which offers an interesting and different approach to the main game. You will enjoy Egypt once again, despite doing the same routines. Review in Spanish | Read full review
Combat continues to be fun and challenging, and this time your biggest foes are fleshed out and varied enough to turn what could ve easily been a monotonous series of fights into a highlight. The base map for this expansion seems about as big as the Hidden Ones expansion, but the additional afterlife regions add scale and scope to this DLC.
Each tent is equipped with comfortable beds, blankets, and pillows to ensure a pleasant night's sleep. The camp also offers shared bathroom facilities with showers and toilets. During your stay at Wadi Rum Magic Camp, you can enjoy a range of activities and experiences that showcase the beauty and culture of the desert.
Game Review: Assassin’s Creed – The Curse of the Pharaohs
In the spring, the Nile Scribes invited guest blogger Emily Hotton to tell us how Egypt is represented in the latest installment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise: Origins. The game developers recently added a new expansion called “The Curse of the Pharaohs” featuring the afterlife worlds of four Egyptian royals. This week, we are pleased to welcome Emily Hotton back for a review of the expansion.
Promotional poster for ACO: The Curse of the Pharaohs (Photo: Ubisoft)
Guest Scribe: Emily Hotton
In my previous two reviews of Ubisoft’s 2017 addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Origins (read Review #1 and Review #2), I praised and criticised the base game and the Discovery Tour in equal measure. I enjoyed this installment of the franchise immensely and respected the time and effort the developers and consultants gave towards perfecting the finished product. That appreciation, however, was nearly shattered with the release of the largest expansion to the game to date: “The Curse of the Pharaohs”.
Released in March of 2018, the expansion takes our protagonist, Bayek of Siwa, to Thebes: home to the great temples of Luxor and Karnak and to the Theban Necropolis, including the famed Valley of the Kings. Bayek is drawn to Thebes due to rumours that the kings of old are reawakening, mysteriously massacring the innocent citizens of the city. In order to stop this otherworldly phenomenon, Bayek must travel to the afterlives of each of the resurrected pharaohs through their tombs in the Valley of the Kings in order to save Thebes from this “curse”.
The city of Thebes as it was reimagined during the Ptolemaic Period (Photo: Ubisoft)
I was somewhat disappointed that a large expansion was playing into one of the biggest cliches of ancient Egypt in popular culture. Since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV 62) in 1922 by Howard Carter, the stereotype of the mummy’s curse has been irrevocably interwoven with ancient Egypt’s portrayal in popular media. The base game and its first expansion, “The Hidden Ones,” avoided the stereotype and instead stuck to a storyline delicately interwoven with the main franchise’s overarching plot. Like the decision to make Bayek a Medjay or choosing the decline of the Ptolemaic dynasty as the setting, I feel this decision to perpetuate the false notion of the “curse of the mummy” was made to draw attention to the game instead of focusing on educating those unfamiliar with Egyptian histor y.
Ba-birds, representations of the human soul in ancient Egypt, are seen flying through Nefertiti’s Afterlife (Photo: Ubisoft)
What Was Well Done
(1) Entering the Afterlife
Bayek enters the afterlives of Nefertiti (1353-1336 BC), Akhenaten (1353-1336 BC), Tutankhamun (1332-1323 BC), and Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) in order to end their terrorizing in the living world.In general, I found the process of entering the afterlife to be a well-rendered experience. It plays appropriately into the themes of the Underworld Books which dictate the soul’s journey into the afterlife. The one criticism I have was the use of false doors: while universal in tomb architecture of the Old Kingdom, false doors do not appear in the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings as they do in the game. Regardless of this fact, the false doors do work quite well to transport Bayek from the realm of the living to the dead.
False door leading to the afterlife in the rear of Tutankhamun’s in-game tomb (KV 62). (Photo: Ubisoft)
After Bayek makes his way through the false door, he finds himself in a long chamber with water flowing across a narrow walkway dotted with waterlilies and pads – the Lake of Flowers. On either side stand tall, intimidating statues – presumably representing the 42 Judges of the Dead. Powerful voices echo through the chamber, both male and female. Initially, I thought the recited lines were those of the well-known Negative Confession and this was the weighing of the heart against the feather of Ma’at before Osiris and the 42 Judges. But, listening closely, I realized the judges were accusing Bayek of transgressions: “Have you killed the innocent; the weak? Murdered for your cause! Avenge yourself; burn with rage! Cause terror in the hearts of innocents?” The effect was even more dramatic than the “I have not” confession formula featured in the Weighing of the Heart scene. I adore this adaptation – while not replicating the exact Negative Confession uttered by the deceased, you are given strong admonishments from powerful voices as you progress through the hall to the afterlife.
Waterlily path, where the Bayek hears the judgments of the gods. (Photo: Ubisoft)
(2) Tutankhamun’s Tomb
As with the base game, the attention to detail in the expansion is phenomenal. There is intention behind the placement of every object, and wall scene. For example, Tutankhamun’s tomb is filled to the brim with royal funerary grave goods, while the others are mostly empty – picked clean in antiquity. This reflects reality: Tutankhamun’s tomb, though still looted at least twice in antiquity, was promptly resealed and eventually lost after the stairs were mistakenly buried.The one criticism I have for Tutankhamun’s tomb is the entrance: it should have been inaccessible from the surface due to the Ramesside workmen’s huts which blocked the stairs until Carter’s rediscovery of the tomb in the 1920s.
Treasury room in the tomb of Tutankhamun (Photo: Ubisoft)
Another detail worth mentioning were the thrones of the pharaohs within their afterlives. Each throne has a famous scene depicted on the back of the seat – though I would say the scene from Tutankhamun’s throne is most recognizable. The throne bears the same scene found on one of his many funerary chairs. The throne (JE 62028) made its home in the Egyptian Museum, but will soon be displayed together with the entire Tutankhamun collection in the Grand Egyptian Museum which is currently under construction at Giza.
Players who own the expansion can access it through The Curse of the Pharaohs quest in their quest menu. It will appear in the quest log once players have progressed past the main game’s quest, Farewell. They can also open the Atlas in the world map and fast travel to the Thebes region.
This includes camel rides, jeep safaris, and guided hiking tours to explore the hidden gems of Wadi Rum. You can also try your hand at traditional Bedouin activities such as sandboarding and stargazing. One of the highlights of the camp is the opportunity to indulge in authentic Bedouin cuisine. The camp's skilled chefs prepare delicious meals using fresh and local ingredients, giving you a taste of the traditional flavors of Jordan. You can enjoy your meals in a communal dining area, where you can socialize with other guests and share stories of your desert adventures. The staff at Wadi Rum Magic Camp are known for their warm hospitality and genuine care for their guests. They are always ready to assist you with any inquiries or requests, ensuring that your stay is comfortable and memorable. Overall, Wadi Rum Magic Camp offers a magical and unforgettable experience in one of the world's most stunning desert landscapes. Whether you are seeking adventure, tranquility, or cultural immersion, this camp is the perfect destination to create lasting memories..
Reviews for "Discover the Secrets of Wadi Rum Magoc Camp: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Desert"
1. John - 1 star
I was really disappointed with my stay at Wadi Rum Magic Camp. The accommodation was extremely basic and lacked any kind of comfort. The tents were dirty and there were bugs everywhere. The bathroom facilities were in poor condition and there was a constant unpleasant smell. The food served was also not up to the mark. Overall, I found the camp to be highly overpriced for the quality of experience it offered. I would not recommend staying here.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for Wadi Rum Magic Camp, but unfortunately, it did not live up to them. The camp was overcrowded with tourists, making it difficult to find any sense of tranquility in such a beautiful desert setting. The staff seemed overwhelmed and not very attentive. The dinner served was mediocre at best, and there were no vegetarian options available. The tents were also not well-maintained, with torn sheets and uncomfortable beds. I expected a more magical and peaceful experience, but sadly, this camp did not provide that.
3. David - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to exploring the wonders of Wadi Rum, but my experience at Wadi Rum Magic Camp left much to be desired. The camp lacked organization and the staff were not very knowledgeable or helpful when it came to arranging activities. The desert tours offered were rushed, and I didn't feel like I got to fully experience the beauty of the area. The tent I stayed in was cramped and the bedding was not clean. Additionally, the shared bathroom facilities were not well-maintained. I was really hoping for a more immersive and enjoyable experience, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed.