Merzouga
The great dunes of Erg Chebbi and Sahara nights
© Tranquille Internet / Unsplash
Merzouga is the village at the foot of Erg Chebbi, a dune sea around twenty kilometres long with some dunes over 150 metres high. It is the most common access point to the Moroccan Sahara for a night in a desert camp. The drive is long from both Marrakech and Fes: most tours spend two days on the road, which is why staying two nights, with a full day in the desert, makes sense.
- 1 to 2 nights
- Mar – Apr, Oct – Nov
- from 450 MAD
- Desert, Adventure, Couple, Family
- A first night in the Sahara, couples, families with older children, photographers
Why go
- The highest easily accessible dunes in the country
- A night in a desert camp, from simple tents to ones with bathrooms
- A very starry sky, far from cities
Desert experiences
A night in camp
You reach camp by camel or 4x4 in the late afternoon.
Sunrise over the dunes
A climb to a ridge before dawn; bring a headlamp.
Khamlia
A village where you can hear Gnawa music.
Quad, 4x4 or sandboarding
Activities offered by most camps and inns.
On the map
Experiences
Food
Madfouna, the stuffed "Berber pizza" baked in sand, tagines and tea by the fire.
Where to stay
Camp in the erg
A night in a tent among the dunes, usually with dinner and breakfast.
Inns at the foot of the dunes
Earthen rooms with pools, practical with children.
Shopping
Fossils from the Erfoud area, jewellery and desert scarves.
Day trips
Rissani
A traditional souk and ksour.
Todra Gorge
Cliffs on the road west.
Getting around
A long drive from Marrakech (usually over two days) or from Fes. Overnight Supratours buses. Errachidia is the nearest airport.
Budget
- 450 MAD
- 1,100 MAD
- 3,200 MAD
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar ✓
- Apr ✓
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct ✓
- Nov ✓
- Dec
March-April and October-November. Summer is extreme and winter nights are very cold.
Combine with
Plans that stop here
Morocco in 7 Days
Marrakech, the road of kasbahs, a night in the Sahara and the Fes medina: the great classic.
- Marrakech
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Fes
Morocco Desert Adventure
Five days round trip from Marrakech: kasbahs, gorges and two Sahara nights.
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Dades Gorges
- Marrakech
Tips
- A headlamp, warm layers and a scarf against the sand.
- Compare what camps include: meals, transfers, bathrooms, electricity.
Best time to visit Morocco
Season by season, region by region: pick the right time for your trip.
Morocco road trip guide
Car rental, distances, mountain roads and recommended routes.
Sahara travel guide
Merzouga or Zagora, simple or luxury camp, how many nights: choosing your desert experience.
What to pack for Morocco
Clothes, adapter, first-aid: the practical list by season and itinerary.
Where next?