The Villages

We currently have hosting opportunities in four different villages.

You can stay with the family of Salman bin Hemed in the village of Bir Haddaj, with the family of Atia al-Athamin in the village of Khashm Zanna, with the family of Ibrahim abu Kaf in the village of Um Batin, or with the family of Sheikh Jumaa Kishkhar in the village of al-Foraa. All of them are wonderful and kind individuals, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.

Bir Haddaj is a recently-recognized town in the central Negev, set atop rolling dunes and desert beach-grass. It is a beautiful landscape, and Salman and his family can explain the ways of the desert to visitors with depth and understanding. Salman can also offer desert 4x4 cruises through the dunes, and can take you on overnight hikes through the desert, where he willl make a traditional meal in the desert, bake bread in the campfire, and you will sleep out in the desert sands, under the stars.

For directions to Salman's home in Bir Haddaj from Beer Sheva, click here.

Khashm Zanna has been in the same location since the days of the Ottoman Empire, and is set on two sides of a large hill. The village is easily accessible, as it is situated adjacent to a main road. Atia al-Athamin is a community leader and an expert on Bedouin traditional lifestyles in the Negev. His wife Naamah practices traditional Bedouinweaving techniques and teaches the women in the village how to weave carpets.

For directions to Atia's home in Khashm Zanna from Beer Sheva, click here.

Um Batin is a recently-recognized village in the northern Negev. Both Um Batin and Bir Haddaj were recognized in 2004 under the Abu Basma Regional Council plan. It is situated near the intersection of Routes 60 and 31, and is an easy drive from Beer Sheva. The village is spread out over a large swath of land, and there are many easy and beautiful desert hikes in the area. Your host in the village, Ibrahim Abu Kaf, is a certified tour guide and an expert on the history of the Negev, its flora and fauna, and the many secrets of the desert that Bedouin guides have held the keys to for generations.

Al-Foraa is also a recently-recognized village in the northeastern Negev, near the city of Arad. It was also recognized under the Abu Basma plan. Your host in the village, Sheikh Jumaa Kishkhar, has been in the hospitality business for years, and operates a desert tour company offering meals, camel rides in the desert, and private desert tents for overnight stays. He is a former officer in the Israeli army, and teaches desert survival and tracking courses as well. These courses range from 1 hour to several days. Please inquire for more information

Traditional live music is available upon request, both the Sumsumia and Rubaba instruments. Sheikh Jumaa can organize sunrise trips to Massada, the ancient Israelite fortification.

If you are on a bike hike through the south, leave your cars with us, ride down to the Dead Sea, and we will bring you and your bikes back, and serve you a wonderful meal. This service costs 200 shekels for 10 riders for transport. Food is served according to request. 

You can also learning to prepare traditional Bedouin food in the desert: Zarb (lamb meat prepared in embers and buried), Qorse: the Bedouin pita made in the embers of the fire, Madfuna: chicken and rice cooked together in the fire, Bedouin pitas on the Saj, and tea prepared from herbs you will find in the desert. Milk a female camel and enjoy the most healthy milk available when in season. 

Pull water out of Bir-el-Jamal, an ancient water well used by camel caravans coming from Sedom, carrying salt to ancient Beer Sheva. 

For directions to Sheikh Jumaa's house in Al-Foraa from Beer Sheva, click here.