Visiting the Moroccan Sahara desert? All our do’s and don’ts for an unforgettable stay in the desert

Travelling to the Sahara Desert in Morocco? All our do’s and dont’s for a successful visit to the desert at a glance

Venturing into the golden sand dunes on the back of a camel – or to be exact, the one-humped dromedary – is a dream of many travelers. Although the Moroccan Sahara is easily accessible from Marrakech or Fez, there are plenty of misconceptions about the best way to visit this breathtaking place and what exactly to expect from a night in a desert camp.

To get prepared for your visit to the Moroccan desert, we wrote this blog, sharing all our do’s and don’ts for an unforgettable desert stay.

Which part of the desert is best to travel to?

The Sahara – the world’s largest sandy desert – stretches across 10 African countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan. Although most of the Sahara is known for its rocky plateaus, extremely high temperatures and incredibly dry climate, you can also find breathtaking golden sand dunes, of which we also find some stunning examples in Morocco.

In Morocco, Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi are known for their meters-high sand dunes that attract tourists from all over the world.

A desert escape in Erg Chebbi: orange-red sand dunes and luxurious accommodations

The sand dunes of Erg Chebbi are world famous. Many travelers visit the orange-red sand dunes from Marrakech, as there is also a lot of beauty to see on the way there. You will pass by among others the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, Hollywood town of Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses and Dades.

When you travel from Marrakech to Merzouga, you drive through the highest mountain pass in North Africa, Tizi n’Tichka, to Aït Ben Haddou, where you can explore the world-famous kasbah.

If this is your first trip to Morocco and you want to discover both the vibrant Marrakech, the authentic southern Morocco with its Berber culture and the desert in a short time, we recommend you to choose the desert area around Merzouga (Erg Chebbi). On the way there you will pass numerous enchanting locations to spend the night. Upon arrival in Merzouga, you immediately step from the car onto the back of the camel, thanks to the proximity of the dunes, making this trip comfortable even for families with young children.

You will find numerous luxurious desert camps, where the night is heavenly under a shimmering starry sky. Contact us for the best tips on your desert stay.

Desert hideaway in Erg Chegaga: our absolute favorite for wild souls

Erg Chegaga, the lesser known, but certainly not inferior desert destination in Morocco.

It takes time and effort to reach this nature reserve, but we promise you that this destination will not disappoint. From Marrakech you travel by Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate to Zagora, where the rammed-earth kasbahs take your breath away and a horseback ride through the green Drâa valley in the lush palm groves is a must. Then you will reach M’Hamid, the town geographically closest to the dunes of Chegaga. There you get into a 4×4 and drive no less than 80 kilometers through the wilderness of the Sahara to finally reach your final destination: the towering sand dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Adventurers beware: although sandboarding and quad biking are definitely possible in Merzouga, Chegaga is the destination of choice. You can enjoy yourself here for hours, without many other tourists around. Erg Chegaga is also the place to shoot content and take the most beautiful photos and videos.

We recently climbed one of the highest dunes in the Sahara there. I can tell you that it was by no means an easy climb, even for experienced hikers or athletes, but those who reach the top are rewarded with the most beautiful sunset you will ever see. Challenge accepted?

Spend the night in one of the cozy camps around the high sand dunes. Although there are quite a few luxurious camps to be found, we recommend that you opt for a standard camp so that you retain the off-the-beaten-track feeling.

We find this place so magical that we like to spend two nights here, to enjoy as much as possible of the surroundings and the many activities available here, including visiting the nomads.

Are you traveling to Erg Chegaga soon or would you like to plan a customized trip? Then contact us with no obligation.

Desert overnight in the stone desert of Agafay: the hot spot of the moment

Agafay, an immense stone desert located 30 kilometers from Marrakech, is hip and trendy. Numerous city trippers are descending to this place that was very unknown until a few years ago. And although it has been really over the top for a while now, we too are fans of the stone desert of Agafay, which is surrounded by the Atlas Mountains. Even in the hot summer months, it’s a great place to stay in one of the many luxury resorts, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of bustling Marrakech for a while.

We are more and more being asked if Agafay is a good alternative to the Sahara which is located further south in the country. If we are completely honest, there is no comparison here: the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi or Erg Chegaga are a miracle in their own right, while you can find landscapes like the one in Agafay elsewhere in Morocco.

It happens that travelers return from Agafay disappointed because many blogs describe this place as “the third desert of Morocco” and thus expect golden sand dunes.

If you are planning a city trip to Marrakech soon and are a real adrenaline-seeker, the stone desert of Agafay is for you. You can enjoy quad, hiking or a balloon ride.

This is also the right place for those seeking pure tranquility. You’ll find plenty of luxurious tent camps with pools and incredible views of the region for a high class desert stay. We recently traveled to Agafay again to find the best spots for you!

How many days should you set aside to visit the desert?

Rumors abound that the desert is located near Marrakech. Which leads to a big disappointment for many citytrippers who thought the they could book a daytrip to the desert from Marrakech.

To travel from Marrakech to Erg Chegaga or Erg Chebbi (and back) requires at least 3 full days, but even this we do not recommend. If you really want to get to know the desert and Southern Morocco, you should allow 4 to 5 days for your trip through the South.

If you are looking for a real adventure and want to get to know Southern Morocco in an authentic way, it is best to take a private guide.

Thanks to his or her knowledge of the region, you will meet the hospitable Berber population, stay overnight in the most authentic guesthouses or family-run hotels along the way, eat special local delicacies known only by locals, meet the nomads and pass by hidden sights. A tour with our private guide will open doors for you that remain closed to travelers from around the world due to the language barrier and culture gap.

Which tent camp do I choose?

Tent camps come in all shapes and sizes, but which choice suits you?

The budget camp (basic)

If you love the camping vibe and come to the desert mainly for the experience: to watch the sunset from the back of a camel and dance around the campfire, then the standard camp is the right option for you. You spend the night in a private tent with shared bathroom. This often does mean that the entire camp shares one bathroom with about 5-6 showers and toilets. The tents and camp are well maintained and the meals (nowadays often buffet style) are also ample and of good quality.

The standard tented camp (standard)

In the standard tented camp, all tents have a private bathroom. The tents are elegantly and comfortably furnished and in the evening you will be pampered with a delicious 3-course meal (accompanied by a glass of wine if desired). If you are traveling with young children or want a comfortable overnight stay in the Sahara, this is your top pick!

The luxury camp

Sometimes a little more is not a bad idea. A bottle of bubbles crackling in the bathtub overlooking the golden sand dunes. A private campfire accompanied by live music just for you and your loved one(s). A gourmet dinner with matching wine. It’s possible! Do you have something to celebrate or do you want to transform your desert night into a fairy tale from a thousand and one nights, then the luxurious camp is for you!

Note: A few elements are common to all desert experiences: watching the sunset from camel back, dinner and traditional live music, campfire and dancing are always included in your desert excursion!

What do I take with me during my desert getaway?

We all know the drill, we leave on a trip with a suitcase full of clothes and stuff we don’t need at all. Therefore, it is extremely inconvenient to travel to the desert with your full suitcase. We always advise our travelers to put a small backpack in your suitcase and fill it with the essentials for the day of your desert stay. Be sure to bring your toiletries, chargers, pyjamas, clean clothes for the next day AND a sweatshirt (because even in the summer months it can occasionally cool off in the desert).

TIP: Light long pants (especially for the ladies) are recommended for the camel ride, this will make the trek to the camp a lot more comfortable.

Do you have any questions about your future travel plans? Contact us and we will be happy to answer all your questions.