How to Take a Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco The Right Way!

Accommodation is big business here and most hotels have look-outs strategically placed on the road into town. Stay at the superbMaison d’hôtes Dar El Haja, an authentic guest house inside the ancient ksar, where you will experience traditional Moroccan hospitality and food. The best time for visiting the Sahara Desert in Morocco is between October and May. Daytime temperatures are mild and it will generally be dry with humidity as low as 10%, with sandstorms more frequent from January. We spent a month exploring southern Morocco and in this Morocco desert guide, we’ll share with you everything you need to know about visiting the Moroccan Sahara.
Merzouga is a small Moroccan town in the Sahara Desert, it is a gateway to Erg Chebbi, a huge expanse of sand dunes north of town. With our years of experience we learned what are the most lucrative destinations Morocco offers and the best on-site spots to fully enjoy them and take mesmerizing pictures. You should also bring a light scarf to cover your morocco desert camping face and hair. The desert can get very windy, so the scarf will prevent you from getting sand in your mouth and your hair. Bring your sunglasses with you as well to protect your eyes. This way, you can spend the rest of your trip just relaxing and enjoying this beautiful country from places like Marrakesh and Essaouira, both of which are wonderful.

As an adult, it means that I am deeply suspicious of organized group tours and generally avoid being part of them at all costs. The Standard Bivouac Sahara Desert camp in Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi Dunes will be one of the highlights of your Moroccan experience. Your evening gastronomic experience combines the best of Moroccan cuisine with desert tradition. Internet No internet access available.Parking Free public parking is possible at a location nearby .Pets Pets are allowed. No extra charges.Children and Extra Bed Policy Children older than 10 years are welcome. One child under 2 years stays free of charge when using existing beds.
There are several ways to book such a nice overnight stay and some activities in the desert. Staying in the center of the dunes is no longer allowed due to a law that was introduced some time ago. Yet you don’t really notice this once you are in the camp and it feels like you are in the middle of the desert. Then you leave from there by jeep or dromedary to the tent camp. This is often in the early evening so that you are in the desert by sunset and can admire the spectacle from a dune.

These short camel rides can also be super romantic so it’s a great activity to do if you are traveling with your significant other. There are various companies in Merzouga offering camel rides throughout the whole day and they are generally not too expensive. Winter can be a lovely time to visit – there are less people, and the highs are in the 50’s and 60’s, sometimes reaching 70 degrees F. However, the nights are quite chilly (getting down into the 30’s and 40’s and the tents aren’t heated) so bring some warm clothing. You will meet your guides for the desert at a hotel in town.
We drank lukewarm weak coffee, ate rusks, and packed our backpack ready to trek on our camels. We cuddled under the stars and stared up at the milky way. The stars were so bright as we were in complete darkness, and it was strangely silent (except for the odd camel fart much to Julian’s delight).
It was quite possibly the most magnificent view I’ve ever seen. I was on a weeklong tour around Morocco with Intrepid Travel and I already knew that camping in the Sahara would be the highlight of the trip. I’m still not sure if our drivers were teasing us or we were genuinely lost but I’m sure we passed the same sand dune on more than one occasion! I have no idea how you differentiate one sand dune from another but the surrounding sand dunes were beginning to look worryingly familiar. You will want warm conditions when spending a night beneath the stars during a hike in the High Atlas Mountains. You can expect an average of 17°C (64°F) at elevations of 1800m above sea level in summer.

We had tea with the patriarch of the family and played with a cute little girl who was very interested in the group of Westerners visiting her home. This was my first time at a Morocco desert camp so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. After that, we switched to 4x4s in which to traverse the length of desert that leads to the camp. Kevin and I shared a double tent, and there were also triple tents available with twin beds. Additionally, visitors can listen to Berber music and drumming around the campfire. An unforgettable experience in Morocco’s mysterious Sahara desert is a treasured memory for everyone.
They also have a private camp and royal Camp option if you wanted something even more private/luxe. Our luxury canvas tent was is what glamping dreams are made of! We had a spacious bed, AC (so grateful we had that in the desert summer!), a shower, toilet and spacious patio area.

Winter has cooler average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) but reaches lows of 5°C (41°F). While less essential, you can also include the following gear to make the journey a touch more comfortable. Bring a small gas adaptor , a travel kettle, and cups just to name a few items. When wild camping it is important to avoid making fires, leave no trace, and create as little noise as possible. These simple rules, if followed, can ensure future free campers are welcomed to the area. Do note that to camp in the mountain regions you must be accompanied by a licensed mountain guide.
The desert camp is really intimate, with only six tents available and one large communal tent for meals, making it a great large for an incredible experience that is personalized to your exact liking. The tents also have beautiful windows so you can view the dunes at sunrise without ever needing to get out of bed — pretty amazing. In terms of inclusions, each Sahara Desert glamping destination is different.
Our isolated luxury Sahara desert camp is far more exclusive and private than the larger communal camps in Erg Chebbi. Although these treks are possible during the whole day, the best time is at sunset. Short camel rides to the desert that do not include overnight camping in a luxury camp are relatively cheap. Depart for a walking trek to discover the ecosystem of the last oasis in the Draa Valley.