Sleeping in the Sahara dunes is the dream of many travellers to Morocco, and the most memorable experience of our tours. Near the Algerian border, the Erg Chebbi in Merzouga lines up golden dunes more than 150 metres high. Here is our complete guide to spending a night in the Merzouga desert.
How to get to Merzouga
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech and 470 km from Fez. Allow two days on the road from Marrakech, a magnificent drive across the High Atlas via the Tichka pass, the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades valley and the Todgha gorge. That is exactly the route of our 3-day Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech. From Fez, the road crosses the Middle Atlas, its cedar forests and the Ziz valley.
How a night in the desert goes
- Arrival in Merzouga in the late afternoon, tea at the guesthouse and drop off the big suitcases.
- Camel ride of about 1.5 hours to the camp, in the heart of the dunes.
- Sunset from the top of a dune: the sand turns from gold to red.
- Berber dinner under the stars, music and campfire.
- Wake up before dawn for sunrise, then ride back by camel and have breakfast.
Nomad bivouac or luxury camp?
The nomad bivouac offers simple Berber tents, comfortable mattresses and shared bathrooms: the most authentic experience. The luxury camp has real tented rooms with a double bed, private bathroom and solar power. In both cases, dinner, breakfast and the camel ride are included in our tours.
What to pack
- A small backpack for the night (suitcases stay at the guesthouse).
- A fleece or down jacket: nights are cold from October to April.
- A cheche (scarf) against sun and sand, which you can buy locally.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a head torch.
- A power bank for your phone in the simpler bivouacs.
When to go to the desert
The best time is October to April: mild days and starry nights. In summer the days are very hot, but nights remain pleasant. All the details in our article on the best time to visit Morocco.
Things to do around Merzouga
Sandboarding on the dunes, quad or buggy rides, visiting a nomad family, Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia, or a trip to Dayet Srji lake, where flamingos can sometimes be seen depending on the season.
Still undecided? Read our comparison Merzouga, Zagora or Erg Chigaga: which desert to choose, and if you start from Fez, our Fez to Merzouga desert tour itinerary.
Good to know: to really enjoy the desert without rushing, we recommend at least 3 days from Marrakech, or including it in a longer trip such as our 10-day grand tour of Morocco.
