Morocco desert travel advice from a team on the ground
( Disclaimer: all the below photos were taken by Sun Trails staff on location over the years or otherwise provided by the respective desert camps ).
What is it that draws us to the immensity of the dunes ? The oceans of sand. Where does it spark from, this longing to gaze at wave after wave of sand disappearing on the horizon?… Here, by the dunes of Erg Chigaga, despite of all the apparent scarcity, water runs just below the surface, a secret well kept under layers of sand. The desert also turns grown- ups into children again.
“For years we lived anyhow with one another in the naked desert, under the indifferent heaven. By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars.” T. E. Lawrence
In the collective imaginary, there is hardly anything more exotic, than those tougher- than- life Bedouin men crossing the desert, carrying precious loads of gold, ivory, slaves, textiles, spices or salt on the back of their sturdy camels. It used to take the caravans 7 to 8 weeks to cross from one side (Morocco) to the other ( Mali) and some were losing half their personnel on the way. Whilst some camel trading still takes place in some parts of Niger where the Azalai transhumance sees thousands of camels travel across the vast territory, camels in Morocco are not used for caravan trading anymore.
For some of those traveling to Morocco, spending a night in the Sahara is ticking off a box on a travel notebook. For others, it is a lifelong dream. Naturally then, you don’t want to ruin that experience and thus should carefully choose the right Morocco travel planner.
Camp cramping and hothouse tents ( update March 2025)
Having recently toured both Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, we’ve noticed a few changes. Due to more frequent strong winds, many camps have adopted a fixed frame structure with either the canvas stretched over a metal frame or more often a base ( 1 to 2 meters ) of solid adobe or wood panel on top of which the tent is stretched. Many now also have concrete floors. Sadly, it feels like inhabiting an apartment in the dunes. Second, dozens of tents are huddled together.
While not an issue in itself, it screams attraction park, not desert camping. For the real experience, try and book a tent in a camp of no more than 10 or so tents and that canvas prevails. Avoid tents covered in vinyl or plastic – it tends to overheat it. Better yet, ask for photos before booking.
WHERE IS THE DESERT IN MOROCCO: ERG CHEBBI/ ERG CHIGAGA
Any forum on Trip Advisor, Fodor or the likes will tell you that there are two places in Morocco where you can actually spend a night in the desert: the dunes of Erg Chebbi and the dunes of Erg Chigaga. The route from Marrakech over the High Atlas mountains is one of the most dramatic in Moroco and reaches Ouarzazate on the other side. But you still got about 6 hours to go.
[ Read: Our Morocco desert private tours to include a night in the Sahara dunes]
From here, there are two options: Erg Chebbi dunes– east through Skoura, Dades Gorge, Tinerir, Rissani and finally Merzouga; and Erg Chigaga dunes- south, following the Draa Valley through Agdz, Zagora, Tamegroute and finally Mhamid. From my own experience and feedback over the years, indeed, the dunes of Erg Chigaga get a fair amount less of Morocco private desert tours. The distance and driving time to both these dune locations is more or less similar, about 5- 6 hours drive from Ouarzazate.
Fortunately, there are still camps that retain their human dimension – what you should aim for is maximum 8- 9 tents in one single camp. What we love about our partner camp in Erg Chigaga ? It tethers one tent per dune trough, which yields that feeling of disconnect that we associate with the Sahara and there are no concrete foundations or floors. Not that they have any reason to pack up and leave, but if they did, the next morning the dunes wouldn’t show a trace. How eco – friendly is that ?
HOW TO GET TO MOROCCO’S SAHARA DESERT ?
The dunes of Erg Chebbi owe their popularity partly to their being easily accessible : a bus will take you to literally the foot of the dunes from Marrakech in a 10 hour drive. Or, you could hire a rent a car. But in both cases, you’d miss a lot on the way there. We recommend taking at least 4 days for the journey from Marrakech to the Sahara and back. The best way to reach Sahara desert is booking one of the Morocco desert private tours. If still not sure, Erg Chebbi dunes are the obvious choice when you wish to also take in Fes and Rabat or Meknes.
“The Sahara, like all abstract, vast spaces, is a dream. One vast mirage, the grandeur, the enormity of which fires the imagination in one’s memory after the physical impact is over. The desert is something you shrink from while in its presence, but which you remember nostalgically after it is all over.” Hoyningen Huene
If you are ready to give Fes a miss, then the dunes of Erg Chigaga are the ones to go for. Especially since they are two hours drive away from the closest bit of tarmac and you would be a fool not to loop your way back to Marrakech on a different route, thus experiencing all different formations of the desert: sand dunes, stone plateaus, gravel plains, dry valleys and salt flats.
And did we mention the Draa Valley, a caravan highway for centuries, where the river is flanked by one of the largest palm groves in the world along with Biblical villages and century old kasbahs ? In conclusion, you generally get better value for money for a tent in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, but these dunes tend to get more cramped, peppered with desert camps and quad / buggy riders wherever you look.
MOROCCO DESERT TOUR FES TO MARRAKECH ?
Yes, that is possible. You’d need about 3 days as a minimum. Over 4 or 5 days it is even better, considering you are lookin at a total of 17- 18 hours of driving. Here is where you can find a detailed itinerary of such a Fes to Marrakech private tour.
IS MOROCCO’S DESERT SAFE ?
Although the border with Algeria is not far, hitherto there has been no registered case of kidnapping or activity of a terrorist organization in these areas. Security at the border is very tough. In the very hot season ( July – August), there may be very rare cases of scorpions or snakes, but they hardly ever enter areas where they feel human presence. If you want to be 100 % sure, make sure you spend the night inside your tent and that your mattress is not laid straight on the ground.
BASIC DESERT TENT VERSUS LUXURY DESERT TENT
Nowadays, there are more and more luxurious desert camps to complement the regular ones. Most regular camps offer spartan but clean double beds with mattress and frame and plenty of blankets to keep you warm in the night, if chilly. Toilets are private ( dry toilets) while showers are shared and running water is scarce.
Sahara luxury camps offer wider tents with en suite showers and toilets, extensive furniture and fittings, and king size beds. The dinner menu is also more comprehensive. In the past 2- 3 years, the desert luxury camps also offer a higher level of standard, the VIP desert tents. These tents tend to be placed further away from the main camp, more accommodating and complete with a private butler. A normal basic camp accommodates 10- 12 double tents with a larger tent for restaurant. The typical luxury camp accommodates 6- 7 en- suite tents with a restaurant tent.
However, if your only reason for booking a Sahara luxury camp tent is having private showers and toilet, bear in mind showers are available on the night before and the night after. After a 30 – 45 minute camel ride ( optional), you arrive at the desert camp as the sun sets, where you will have your dinner and spend the night. Naturally, the camp is fully staffed. Next morning, you should try and not miss the sunrise. Then, you will be taken back to the same lodge where you had arrived the previous afternoon and have a proper breakfast, before proceeding with your private tour of Morocco .
{ Read: House of Dreams, impromptu romance half way between Marrakech and the Sahara }
MOROCCO DESERT CAMPS : A BRIEF HISTORY
In the beginning ( up until 2010’s ) desert camps in Morocco were of only 1 kind – nomad tents fastened around a central mast, a sort of brown wool tee- pee cone- like structure. The interior of the tent was spartan, with not much more than a double bed and carpets spread on the sand. Back then, the only camp offering more luxurious settings was in the dunes outside Mhamid, just 2 hours from the dunes of Erg Chigaga. Fast forward two decades or so and you’ve now got luxury camps with air conditioning, satellite internet and… a swimming pool ( no joke).
Hardly anyone expects air conditioning in the desert. That being said, the average guest has gotten more demanding over the years. Fortunately, a third range of camps has cropped up: comfort camps. While not as lavish or extravagant as the luxury camps with their heated mattresses or USB plugs, they offer ensuite bathrooms with WC and hot showers, king size beds and choice bedspreads for not much more than you’d pay for a basic tent with no showers or running water.
THINGS TO DO IN THE SAHARA ?
In winter ( mid November to mid March) days are short and the sun sets around 5- 6 PM. If you’re on a tour of Morocco, it is likely you will arrive at the camp just before sunset and will leave not long after breakfast.
Which doesn’t leave you with much time to enjoy the dunes. Ideally, forecast two nights in the desert in winter then ( or at least one night in a lodge by the dunes and the second one in a desert camp inside the dunes).
If you are worried about not having much to do, you may be wrong: tea with the nomads, rock engravings, prying out fossils, lunch in the oasis, dinosaur sites, quad biking, sand boarding, Berber mtfounaare but some of the choices. The downside is that if a sand storm is blowing in ( very rare but not impossible ), you will have no choice but to spend the morning or afternoon inside your tent.
ALCOHOL IN THE SAHARA
Given the alcohol regulations in Morocco, very few camps ( even among luxury ones) sell alcohol on site. Therefore the best way to go about it is to get yourself your supplies in Marrakch or Ouarzazate ( cca. half way between Marrakech and the dunes and the largest town in the south). Otherwise, you may end up paying 3 or 4 times the price if you want to acquire it in a hotel by the dunes. All you need to do is ask for your driver to stop you at a special store. He will then stock it for you in the 4×4’s freezer box, if need be.
TEMPERATURES IN THE SAHARA & CLOTHING
Cotton/ linen clothes and sneakers/ sandals are best for traveling around Morocco including the desert. A fleece or rain jacket is always a good addition for late nights/ early mornings. Outside the summer season, nights in the desert tend to be fresh/ chilly and in December/ January temperatures can get down to 35°F/ 2°C.
Even with the basic tent accommodation, you will get as many blankets as necessary to keep you warm. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to bring over your sleeping bag, if space is available in your luggage. Day time, when the sun is out, temperatures can vary from 70°F/20°C in the winter months to the 113°F/ 45°C and more in July and August.
In general we will not recommend taking a Morocco safari desert tour in summer but for some, it is the only time of the year they can come. Have you booked to spend the night in the desert in the summer and you find it too hot to be there ? Worry not.
Sun Trails will accommodate you at no extra charge, back at the lodge by the dunes, where you will have the comfort of an air conditioned room and a fresh pool giving onto the dunes. Early next morning, you can still enjoy your camel ride over the Sahara dunes while the sun is rising. Some of the desert luxury camps now offer air conditioned tents.
Sun Trails offers both basic and luxury camp options in the desert for those booking Morocco private tours. For more details, please send your enquiry here.
Experience the breathtaking Morocco desert through exclusive private tours that unveil the magic of the Sahara’s golden dunes, ancient kasbahs, and nomadic traditions. Our Morocco Sahara desert adventures combine luxury desert camps with authentic cultural encounters, creating transformative journeys that transcend typical tourism. From the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi to the remote wilderness of Erg Chigaga, discover why Morocco desert tours remain the crown jewel of North African travel experiences.
Morocco Desert: Gateway to Sahara Magic
Morocco Sahara Desert: Two Magnificent Dune Systems
The Morocco desert experience centers around two spectacular dune systems that offer distinctly different adventures for discerning travelers. Each destination provides unique opportunities for private Morocco tours that showcase the Sahara’s diverse beauty and cultural richness.
Erg Chebbi: The Grand Dunes Experience
Rising majestically near Merzouga, Erg Chebbi presents Morocco’s most photographed desert landscape with dunes reaching 150 meters high. These golden mountains of sand create dramatic backdrops for Morocco desert camps and offer accessible luxury experiences just 45 minutes from paved roads. The proximity to civilization makes Erg Chebbi ideal for first-time desert visitors seeking comfortable Sahara desert Morocco adventures without sacrificing authenticity.
Our Morocco desert tours to Erg Chebbi include exclusive sunrise camel treks, private sandboarding sessions, and intimate Gnawa music performances under star-filled skies. The nearby villages of Merzouga and Hassilabied provide cultural depth through encounters with settled nomads, fossil workshops, and traditional markets that maintain centuries-old trading traditions.
Erg Chigaga: Remote Wilderness Adventure
For those seeking ultimate seclusion, Erg Chigaga delivers unparalleled desert experience Morocco through its remote location 60 kilometers from the nearest paved road. This isolation creates opportunities for exclusive Morocco desert camping experiences where luxury meets wilderness in perfect harmony. The journey itself becomes an adventure, crossing dried river beds, stone deserts, and ancient lake beds that tell geological stories spanning millions of years.
The dunes of Erg Chigaga, reaching heights of 300 meters, provide dramatic settings for our most exclusive luxury desert camps. Here, traditional Berber hospitality merges with contemporary comfort through beautifully appointed tents featuring proper beds, private bathrooms, and gourmet dining experiences that honor local culinary traditions while meeting international luxury standards.
Morocco Desert Tours: Crafting Your Perfect Journey
Every Morocco desert tour begins with understanding individual travel dreams and crafting bespoke itineraries that balance adventure with comfort. Our expertise in Moroccan desert logistics ensures seamless experiences from initial planning through final farewell, with attention to every detail that transforms good trips into extraordinary memories.
Classic 3-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech
The most popular desert tour Morocco option connects Marrakech with the Sahara through a carefully paced journey that maximizes experiences while ensuring comfort. Day one crosses the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka pass, pausing at Ait Benhaddou kasbah before reaching Dades Valley for overnight accommodation in a traditional riad.
Day two continues through Todra Gorges’ dramatic canyon walls toward the desert, arriving at your chosen dune destination for sunset camel trekking and overnight in a luxury Morocco desert camp. The experience includes traditional Berber dinner, drum circles around campfires, and countless stars illuminating the desert silence.
The return journey explores different routes, potentially including Draa Valley’s palm groves, Agdz’s ancient kasbahs, or Ouarzazate’s film studios, ensuring varied scenery throughout your Morocco Sahara desert tour.
Extended 4-5 Day Desert Adventures
Longer Morocco desert tours allow deeper exploration and more relaxed pacing, perfect for photographers, families, or those seeking comprehensive desert immersion. These extended journeys include multiple nights in the desert, enabling participation in nomad encounters, fossil hunting expeditions, and visits to seasonal lakes that attract migrating flamingos.
Our 5-day Sahara desert tour Morocco itineraries often combine both Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, providing comparative experiences of Morocco’s premier dune systems. Additional time allows for exploration of remote oases, ancient caravan routes, and hidden valleys where traditional Berber life continues unchanged by modernity.
Morocco Desert Camps: Luxury Under the Stars
The evolution of Morocco desert camps from basic nomad tents to luxury accommodations represents Morocco’s commitment to providing world-class tourism experiences while preserving authentic character. Our carefully selected desert camps in Morocco balance comfort with environmental responsibility, ensuring minimal impact on fragile desert ecosystems.
Luxury Desert Camp Features
Modern luxury desert camps in Morocco redefine wilderness accommodation through thoughtful amenities that enhance rather than compromise the desert experience. Private tents feature proper beds with quality linens, carpeted floors, and en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers. Solar panels provide sustainable electricity for lighting and device charging while maintaining the desert’s natural darkness for stargazing.
The best desert camps in Morocco distinguish themselves through exceptional service, gourmet cuisine, and exclusive experiences. Private butlers attend to every need, chefs prepare elaborate meals using traditional techniques and local ingredients, and camp managers arrange personalized activities from private sunrise yoga sessions to telescope-guided astronomical tours.
Authentic Desert Camping Experiences
While luxury defines our premium offerings, authentic desert camping Morocco experiences connect travelers with traditional nomadic culture. These camps maintain traditional goat-hair tents, prepare meals over open fires, and share stories through oral traditions passed down through generations. The absence of modern distractions creates space for meaningful connections with fellow travelers, local guides, and the profound silence of the Sahara.
Our Sahara desert camps Morocco selection includes family-friendly options with interconnected tents, romantic setups for honeymooners featuring private dune dinners, and adventure camps equipped for sandboarding, quad biking, and extensive camel trekking expeditions.
Best Desert Experience in Morocco: Insider Recommendations
Creating the best desert experience in Morocco requires insider knowledge, perfect timing, and attention to details that transform standard tours into extraordinary adventures. Our decades of experience organizing private Morocco desert tours reveals secrets that ensure optimal experiences regardless of travel style or budget.
Optimal Timing for Desert Visits
The Morocco desert experience varies dramatically by season, with each period offering distinct advantages. October through April provides comfortable temperatures for extensive desert activities, with December and January offering crisp nights perfect for stargazing. March and April bring wildflower blooms to desert margins, creating unexpected color contrasts against golden sands.
Summer Morocco desert tours require special considerations but reward adventurous travelers with authentic experiences of traditional desert survival techniques. Early morning and late evening activities avoid peak heat, while midday siestas in shaded camps follow local wisdom developed over centuries.
Essential Desert Activities
Beyond standard camel trekking, the best Morocco desert tours incorporate diverse activities that showcase the Sahara’s many facets:
- Sandboarding Adventures: Glide down pristine dune faces on specially designed boards, accessible for beginners yet thrilling for experienced boarders
- 4×4 Desert Safaris: Explore remote areas inaccessible by camel, discovering fossil beds, prehistoric rock art, and hidden oases
- Stargazing Sessions: Professional telescopes and astronomy guides reveal celestial wonders invisible from light-polluted cities
- Berber Cultural Workshops: Learn traditional crafts including carpet weaving, henna application, and bread baking in sand ovens
- Desert Yoga & Meditation: Practice mindfulness surrounded by the Sahara’s profound silence and natural beauty
- Photography Expeditions: Capture golden hour magic with professional photographers who know optimal locations and timing
Private Desert Experiences
Our private Morocco desert tours unlock exclusive experiences unavailable through group tours. Private camps ensure complete privacy for special celebrations, while personal guides share deep cultural knowledge and facilitate authentic encounters with nomadic families. Customized itineraries adapt to individual interests, whether focusing on adventure activities, cultural immersion, or pure relaxation.
The luxury private desert tour experience extends beyond accommodation to include private chefs preparing personalized menus, dedicated vehicles for flexible scheduling, and exclusive access to remote locations where mass tourism never ventures. These bespoke adventures create memories that resonate long after returning home.
Morocco Desert Safari: Adventure Beyond the Dunes
The Morocco desert safari experience encompasses more than sand dunes, revealing diverse landscapes that challenge preconceptions about desert environments. Our comprehensive safari desert Morocco adventures explore stone deserts, ancient lake beds, mountain oases, and dramatic gorges that demonstrate the Sahara’s geological diversity.
Beyond the Dunes: Hidden Desert Treasures
The desert in Morocco includes vast stone plateaus where acacia trees provide shade for desert gazelles and drought-adapted plants create unexpected splashes of green. Ancient caravan routes marked by centuries of passage connect remote wells where nomads still gather to water their camels and exchange news.
Seasonal rivers appear after rare rains, transforming dry valleys into temporary oases that attract diverse wildlife. These ephemeral waterways support traditional agriculture in desert margins, where ancient irrigation systems called khettaras channel precious water to palm groves and vegetable gardens.
Desert Wildlife Encounters
Despite harsh conditions, the Morocco Sahara desert supports surprising biodiversity. Desert foxes, sand cats, and various reptile species adapt to extreme temperatures through behavioral and physiological strategies developed over millennia. Bird migration routes cross the Sahara, creating seasonal opportunities for observing species traveling between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Our guides’ expertise in reading subtle signs reveals hidden wildlife activity often missed by casual observers. Tracks in morning sand tell stories of nocturnal hunting, while strategic positioning near water sources increases chances of observing desert inhabitants during their most active periods.
Planning Your Morocco Desert Adventure
Successful Morocco desert trips require careful planning that balances ambition with realistic expectations. Our comprehensive planning support ensures every aspect of your desert trip Morocco contributes to extraordinary experiences while maintaining safety and comfort throughout your journey.
What to Pack for the Desert
Essential items for Morocco desert camping tours include layered clothing for dramatic temperature variations, with warm jackets essential even during summer months. Quality sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and head coverings protect against intense desert sun, while comfortable walking shoes enable exploration of varied terrain beyond soft sand.
Photography equipment requires protection from sand and temperature extremes, with extra batteries essential as cold desert nights drain power quickly. Personal medications, basic first aid supplies, and reusable water bottles ensure self-sufficiency during remote desert segments.
Health and Safety Considerations
The Morocco desert environment demands respect for natural conditions and proper preparation. Hydration remains paramount, with regular water intake preventing altitude and heat-related issues. Our guides monitor group welfare while maintaining discrete oversight that preserves adventure atmosphere.
Travel insurance should explicitly cover adventure activities including camel trekking and sandboarding. Pre-existing medical conditions require advance communication to ensure appropriate support throughout your desert journey. Our comprehensive safety protocols include satellite communication devices, first aid training for all guides, and established emergency evacuation procedures.
Cultural Sensitivity in the Desert
Respecting local customs enhances Morocco desert tours through meaningful cultural exchange. Appropriate dress demonstrates cultural awareness, with loose, covering clothing providing both sun protection and cultural respect. Photography etiquette requires permission before photographing people, with particular sensitivity around women and religious contexts.
Learning basic Arabic or Berber greetings opens doors to authentic interactions, while understanding traditional hospitality customs enables appropriate reciprocation of local generosity. Our guides facilitate cultural bridge-building while protecting both visitor and local interests through established relationships built over years of responsible tourism.
Morocco Desert Accommodations: From Camps to Kasbahs
The journey to and from the Morocco desert features diverse accommodation options that enhance overall travel experiences. Strategic overnight stops in historic kasbahs, mountain lodges, and oasis hotels create natural progression from urban comfort to wilderness adventure.
Pre-Desert Accommodations
Traditional kasbahs along desert approach routes offer atmospheric accommodation in restored fortresses that once protected caravan routes. These historic properties combine authentic architecture with modern amenities, providing comfortable transition zones between city and desert environments.
Mountain lodges in the Atlas ranges feature spectacular views, cool temperatures, and access to hiking trails that provide active alternatives to continuous driving. Boutique hotels in oasis towns like Skoura and Agdz showcase traditional building techniques while supporting local communities through employment and cultural preservation initiatives.
Desert-Edge Alternatives
For travelers unable to venture deep into the desert, edge-of-desert accommodations provide taste of Sahara magic without extensive travel. Properties near Zagora, M’hamid, and Merzouga offer desert views, camel trek access, and cultural experiences while maintaining easy road access and full amenities.
These alternatives suit families with young children, travelers with mobility limitations, or those preferring gradual desert immersion. Many properties feature swimming pools, spa services, and air-conditioned rooms that provide comfort after desert excursions.
Sustainable Desert Tourism
Responsible Morocco desert tours protect fragile desert ecosystems while supporting local communities through sustainable tourism practices. Our commitment to environmental and social responsibility ensures future generations can experience the Sahara’s magic while local populations benefit from tourism development.
Environmental Protection Initiatives
Our Morocco desert camps implement comprehensive waste management systems, with all non-organic waste transported out of the desert for proper disposal. Solar power systems reduce fossil fuel dependence, while water conservation measures protect precious desert resources.
Wildlife protection protocols minimize disturbance to desert fauna, with designated routes avoiding sensitive nesting and feeding areas. Education programs help visitors understand desert ecology and their role in preservation efforts.
Community Benefit Programs
Direct employment of local guides, drivers, and camp staff ensures tourism benefits reach desert communities. Fair wage policies, training programs, and advancement opportunities create sustainable livelihoods that reduce urban migration pressures.
Support for local schools, health clinics, and water projects demonstrates long-term commitment to community development beyond immediate tourism transactions. Cultural preservation initiatives including traditional music programs, craft workshops, and language documentation ensure authentic desert culture continues thriving alongside tourism growth.
Conclusion: Your Morocco Desert Journey Awaits
The Morocco desert offers transformative experiences that transcend typical tourism through combinations of natural beauty, cultural richness, and personal discovery. Whether seeking adventure through Morocco desert safari expeditions, romance in exclusive luxury desert camps, or cultural immersion through authentic nomad encounters, the Sahara delivers memories lasting lifetimes.
Our expertise in creating bespoke Morocco desert tours ensures your journey exceeds expectations while maintaining authenticity and supporting sustainable tourism. From your first glimpse of golden dunes to farewell mint tea with newfound desert friends, every moment contributes to experiences that change perspectives and touch souls.
Contact Sun Trails today to begin planning your perfect Morocco desert adventure. Let us transform your desert dreams into extraordinary realities through exclusive access, insider knowledge, and passionate commitment to sharing the Sahara’s magic with discerning travelers who seek experiences beyond the ordinary.