Merzouga Desert Guide: Planning a Sahara Trip to Erg Chebbi
How to plan a Sahara trip to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes: the best months to go, how to get there, what a night in a desert camp is like and what to pack.
Few places in Morocco stay with travellers like the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Watching the sand turn orange at sunset, sleeping under a sky full of stars and waking early to climb a dune for sunrise is, for many people, the highlight of their trip. This guide covers what you need to know to plan it well.
Where is Merzouga?
Merzouga is a small village in south-eastern Morocco, at the edge of Erg Chebbi, a vast field of sand dunes close to the Algerian border. The dunes are among the highest in the country, and their colour shifts through the day from pale gold to deep orange. The nearby market town of Rissani, in the historic Tafilalet oasis, is worth a stop on the way in or out.
When to go
- Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, bring warm days and comfortable evenings. These are the most popular months.
- Winter, from December to February, has pleasant, sunny days but cold nights. Pack warm layers.
- Summer, from June to August, is very hot in the middle of the day. Excursions are planned around sunrise and sunset.
How to get there
Most travellers reach Merzouga by road. From Marrakech, the route crosses the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and continues past Ouarzazate, the UNESCO-listed fortified village of Aït Benhaddou and the Dades or Todra gorges. It is a long drive, so organised tours usually spread it over two days, with a night on the way.
From Fes, the road runs south through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the Ziz valley, with its long ribbon of palm groves. Both routes are part of the experience, not just a way to arrive.
A night in a desert camp
A typical desert stay starts in the late afternoon with a camel ride or a 4x4 transfer into the dunes. Dinner is often a tagine, followed by music around the fire. With almost no light pollution, the night sky is remarkable. Early risers climb the nearest dune to watch the sun come up over the sand.
Camps range from simple tents with shared facilities to comfortable camps with private bathrooms. Neither is better; they suit different travellers and budgets, so check which one your trip includes.
What to pack
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A light scarf to protect your face from sun and wind-blown sand
- A warm layer for the evening, even in spring and autumn
- Closed shoes, because the sand gets hot during the day
- A small torch or headlamp
- Some cash, since the camps are remote
Questions to ask before you book
- Where and when is the pickup, and how many days does the trip last?
- What kind of camp is it, and are bathrooms private or shared?
- Which meals, activities and transfers are included, and what is not?
- How large is the group?
- What are the agency's cancellation conditions?
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