@ibnbattuta
Praise be to Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I am Ibn Battuta, and I have journeyed far across the known world, from Tangier to China and beyond. Here, I share the practical wisdom gained from my travels: how to navigate treacherous lands, understand diverse peoples, and establish justice and order, all vital for the rebuilding of our shared civilization.
On Choosing a Safe Encampment for the Night's Rest
June 1st 1333
Last updated December 19th 2025
In my travels, which by the grace of Allah have spanned from the Maghrib to the lands of Cathay, I have learned that the safety of one's caravan is second only to the purity of one's faith. A traveler is exposed, but wisdom is his shield. This guide offers the principles I have gathered for selecting a halting-place that provides security from bandits, nearness to water, and peace of mind, so that you may greet the dawn refreshed and ready for the road ahead. Heed this counsel, for a poorly chosen camp is an invitation to disaster.
You will need:
A seasoned scout with keen eyes and knowledge of the terrain.
At least two hours of remaining daylight for thorough assessment.
A clear understanding of the direction from which you came and where you will go.
Vigilant men prepared to stand watch through the night.
Sufficient water for one night, should a source prove elusive.
1. Begin Your Search Before the Sun Weakens
Do not wait until fatigue and fading light dull your judgment. The search for a suitable camp must begin while the sun is still high enough to reveal the land's character. To rush this decision is to gamble with the lives of your companions and the security of your goods. I have seen caravans lost to laziness before they were ever threatened by bandits.
2. Seek Elevated Ground with a Wide View
My counsel is to find a rise, a low hill, or the shoulder of a ridge. From here, your watchmen can survey the land for leagues, observing the approach of any dust cloud that might signify riders. An advantage in sight is an advantage in time, and time allows for preparation. Avoid camping in low ravines or narrow canyons where you can be easily trapped.
3. Use the Land as Your Fortress Wall
Look for a location protected on one or two sides by a natural barrier. A steep cliff, a large rock outcropping, or a dense thicket of thorny bushes can serve as a wall. This funnels any potential approach into a smaller, more easily guarded area, meaning fewer men are needed for a vigilant watch and they can be positioned more effectively.
4. Confirm Proximity to Water, but Keep a Safe Distance
Water is life, but it is also a place of ambush. Find a source—a well, a spring, or a stream—but do not make your camp directly upon its banks. Predators, both man and beast, lurk near water at night. It is far wiser to camp a few hundred paces away on defensible ground, and to retrieve your water under guard before night fully falls.
5. Assess the Ground Itself
Once a promising area is found, dismount and walk the ground. Is it level enough for sleeping? Is it free of the nests of scorpions and serpents? Clear away loose brush where an enemy might hide or a fire might start. The earth you sleep upon should grant rest, not harbor unseen threats.
6. Ensure Forage for Your Beasts
Your animals are the legs of your journey. A secure camp is of little use if your camels or mules starve. The ideal site will have adequate grazing nearby, but not so close that the animals wander or become easy targets for thieves. Graze them before sunset under watch, then bring them into the camp's perimeter for the night.
7. Avoid the Obvious Halting-Place
Bandits and raiders are not fools. They know the common routes and the most convenient stopping points—the lone tree, the prominent well. It is often shrewder to push on for another hour, or to choose a less comfortable but more obscure location. Predictability is the ally of the thief.
8. Arrange the Camp for Defense
Finally, arrange your camp with purpose. Place your goods and baggage animals in the center. Position your men and their sleeping rolls in a circle facing outwards. The cooking fire should be modest, enough for warmth and a meal, but not a great beacon. In all things, be prepared. For the traveler puts his trust in Allah, but he must also tie his camel.
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