A wonderful colourful sight to behold, let alone to drive through…acres and acres of wild roquette (‘rucola’) are currently growing on the plateau north of the great dunes of Erg Chigaga in Sahara Desert. The aroma in the air is distinct, one of pepper, and the plant is flowering. Herds of camels are driven here to graze, with their new young.
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We were fortunate to drive through the fields, en-route to Lake Iriqui and Foum Zguid – glorious contrasting colours all around us – when only 5 weeks prior, this area was covered in water (read more here). Whilst the weather can be changeable as winter transitions into summer in a matter of weeks, the desert flora, fauna and bird-life are thriving in March and April.
Nature’s parting gift as we were leaving the Erg Chigaga region – a pair of blue-cheeked bee eaters flew across our path. Truly stunning.