Camping in the tranquil beauty of Wasit’s Al-Shweijah marshes

WASIT, September 23 — As autumn arrives and the nights become pleasantly cool beneath the moonlight, young adventurer Hamad Al-Shammari heads to the Al-Shweijah marshes in Wasit, a new destination for camping enthusiasts. He embarks on both solo and group trips, aiming to promote tourism and explore the region’s natural beauty.

With nighttime temperatures dropping during this season, Al-Shammari chooses Al-Shweijah to revel in starry skies under the moon’s glow. He brings along simple tools to prepare coffee over the crackling sounds of burning firewood.

Al-Shammari is a founding member of the Wasit Safari Association, established in 2021, which seeks to revive the concept of collective camping expeditions.

“We also aim to shed light on the governorate’s natural beauty, while encouraging relevant authorities to prioritize its preservation,” he said.

The Al-Shweijah marshes, although man-made, consist mainly of seasonal water coming from the Iranian highlands. About half of this water flows into rivers, while a significant portion eventually evaporates and dries up. Despite the absence of tourism projects capitalizing on the marshes, camping during this time is a highly enjoyable experience.

Al-Shammari doesn’t require much besides a tent, a small kitchen, and a source of lighting—simple necessities that are easily obtained.

While the association contemplates organizing camping trips in the future, their current focus remains on encouraging everyone to camp in Wasit’s tourist destinations, demonstrating support and solidarity with these areas.