Sahara Desert Tour Morocco: Ultimate Guide for 2024

Nothing can prepare you for the majesty of the Sahara desert. The stillness, the velvet-soft sand and the golden dunes that seemingly stretch out for miles and miles.

Staying overnight at a desert camp in the Sahara Desert has been on my travel bucket list for years, and I was thrilled to go on a 3-day tour and spend a dreamy night under the stars.

Doing a guided Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech is one of the best things you can do in Morocco. Check out my Sahara Desert Tour guide and start planning your Moroccan adventure.

Sahara Desert Tour Morocco

One of the most important things to know about the Sahara Desert is that it’s the largest hot desert globally, spans vast expanses of North Africa, weaving through countries such as Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, and Tunisia.

This vast desert is a captivating blend of dunes, rocky plateaus, and mountains and covers an impressive 9.2 million square kilometres.

The Sahara is renowned for its extreme climate. Days are scorching hot, while nights can be surprisingly cold.

Most Sahara desert tours from Marrakech visit the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you can find desert camps, camel rides, and sandboarding.

What Are the Erg Chebbi Dunes?

Erg Chebbi is a vast and dreamy expanse of Saharan sand dunes in southeastern Morocco, renowned for their immense size and striking beauty.

These dunes are among the most remarkable in the Sahara Desert, reaching heights of up to 150 meters (490 feet) and stretching over 28 kilometres (17 miles) from north to south and 5-7 kilometres (3-4 miles) from east to west.

The term “erg” refers to large areas of shifting sand dunes formed by wind action, and Erg Chebbi is a prime example of these natural wonders.

Where Are the Erg Chebbi Dunes?

Erg Chebbi is located near the small town of Merzouga in the Tafilalet region of southeastern Morocco.

The dunes are close to the Algerian border, approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Erfoud and about 600 kilometres (373 miles) from Marrakech.

This remote location contributes to the serene and otherworldly atmosphere that envelops Erg Chebbi, making it a perfect destination for a unique Morocco desert trip.

How to Visit Erg Chebbi

Visiting Erg Chebbi is an adventure in itself, and there are several ways to reach this incredible desert destination:

1. By Car: More daring tourists rent a car and drive from Marrakech or Fes. The journey offers an opportunity to explore the scenic landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley. The roads are generally well-maintained, but having a GPS and being prepared for long stretches without amenities is advisable.
2. By Bus: Several bus companies operate routes from major Moroccan cities like Marrakech and Fes to Merzouga. The journey is long, often taking 8-10 hours, but it is a cost-effective option. Supratours and CTM are the most popular bus companies offering services to Merzouga.
3. Guided Tours: For a hassle-free experience, many travellers choose guided Morocco desert tours that include transportation, accommodation, and activities. These tours can be arranged from Marrakech, Fes, or even Casablanca and often include additional stops at notable sites.

What’s There for Tourists in Erg Chebbi?

Erg Chebbi offers a variety of activities and experiences for tourists who want to explore the desert, ride camels and experience Berber culture.

Camel Trekking

Perhaps the most iconic experience at Erg Chebbi is a camel trek through the dunes. These treks can range from a few hours to overnight journeys, where you ride a camel to a traditional Berber camp, enjoy a meal under the stars, and sleep in a nomadic tent. Many Morocco desert tours include this as a highlight of their itinerary.

Desert Camps

Many tourists stay in desert camps for an authentic Saharan experience. These range from basic setups to luxurious glamping sites, offering comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and gourmet meals.

Staying overnight in the dunes allows visitors to experience the magical desert night sky and the tranquillity of the desert. A luxury Sahara desert tour from Marrakech can provide an unforgettable experience in Erg Chebbi.

Sandboarding

Adventure enthusiasts can try sandboarding down the slopes of the dunes. This thrilling activity is similar to snowboarding but on the golden sands of the Sahara.

4×4 Tours

If you prefer a faster pace, 4×4 tours offer an exciting way to explore the vast expanse of Erg Chebbi. These tours can take you to remote areas of the dunes that are otherwise difficult to reach and are a popular feature of many Sahara Morocco tours.

Cultural Experiences

You can discover local Berber culture by visiting nearby villages, such as Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, and Hassi Labied, where traditional crafts and lifestyles can be observed.

Everything you need to know about Sahara Dessert trips from Morocco

Trust me when I say that not all Sahara desert trips are created equally, and in Morocco, you really get what you pay for.

Many tour companies in Morocco offer Sahara desert trips, and not all of them provide a great experience for tourists.

With a little research, you can be better prepared to book a Sahara desert tour with a reputable company to have the best desert experience possible.

Read my detailed and highly researched guide to find out what you need to know before booking a Sahara desert tour, and get ready to be inspired. 

Book your Sahara desert tour online

This is probably my number one tip for booking a Morocco desert tour. I recommend you research desert trips online to find the right one for you.

I would also recommend booking a three-day Morocco desert trip to get the most out of the experience.

Embark on a three-day tour of southern Morocco from Marrakech. Sleep in the Sahara, see Ait Ben Haddou and visit the Valley of the Roses. Cross the landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Book your Sahara desert tour from Marrakech online 

I advocate for booking online because you can check reviews of the tours and the company in advance.

This way, you know exactly what to expect on your trip. Yes, it will be more expensive than haggling for a tour in Morocco, but there are massive benefits to booking online with a company with an established reputation. 

We found the company we went on our trip with while researching Sahara desert tours online.

We booked a 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert Safari through Get Your Guide, as it had great reviews and an incredible time. It was really good value for money and included everything you want in a desert tour – camel ride, camping in the dunes and stargazing.

The Sahara desert is really far away from Marrakech

Like, really far away, practically on the border to Algeria in fact. If you are looking at visiting Erg Chebbi, the giant dune that tourists love, this is not a day trip guys.

Most desert trips are based in Merzouga, which is on the edge of the vast Sahara desert. Merzouga is around 350 miles from Marrakech through some pretty crazy mountain roads. 

These group tours vary in price depending on whether you are going super budget or super luxury.

There are several luxury Sahara tours available if you have the budget. 

If you are short on time, I would recommend booking a 2 day Zagora Desert tour. This way, you can experience a camel ride at sunset without going to the other side of Morocco.

You will spend a lot of time in a minibus

As mentioned, the Sahara Desert is crazy far from Marrakech, so it’s important to manage your trip expectations properly.

The trip from Marrakech to Merzouga is around 12 hours of driving in a van each way. 

The journey will include multiple stops and an overnight hotel stay before you reach the desert camp in Merzouga.

If you loathe long bus journeys, then I hate to break it to you, but this is not the trip for you. 

Check with the company you booked to ensure your transport has air conditioning. Trust me, you will need it in the desert heat. 

This is another reason to book online, so you can check out reviews of the company/transport beforehand. 

The drive through the High Atlas mountains is incredible

The dizzying journey through the winding Atlas mountains is definitely worth 12 hours in a van and the inevitable accompanying nausea. 

To get to the Sahara desert, you must drive through Ouarzazate, the Gate of the Sahara.

This mountain pass lies between the great Marrakech Plains and the gateway of the Sahara Desert. 

If you have booked a decent Sahara tour, your driver should do several photo stops so that you can get some incredible panoramic shots.

I recommend buying a GoPro or a DJI Osmo Pocket for this trip. You’ll be able to make some awesome mountain road videos with hyper-smooth stabilisation!

Make sure to check what is included in your desert tour

This is a really important one, guys, especially if you are negotiating your trip on the fly while in Morocco. 

Our 3-day Desert Safari included transportation, camel trekking in the desert, one night at a hotel, one night at the Bedouin desert camp, and some meals.

Our tour did not include local guides at stops, beverages, lunches, tips to the driver, personal expenses, or souvenirs. 

Sahara Desert tour extra costs

Find out exactly what is included in your desert tour so that you know exactly what is included in your trip and what extras you need to pay for.

This is really helpful when it comes to budgeting for the trip. Our additional costs were things like:

• 25 MAD for a guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou [approx £2]
• 100 Mad for a traditional Tuareg scarf for the desert trek [approx £8]
• 120 Mad for a set menu for lunch [approx £10]
• 50 Mad tip for Todgha Gorges tour [approx £4]

Lunch will be at a tourist hotspot

As with most group trips, the lunch stops will be at a slightly lacklustre, overpriced tourist spot. I find this to be the case with many group tours.

There really isn’t any other option on a Sahara desert group tour. You will be taken to a restaurant for lunch, which will likely have a set menu. 

The lunch stops on our tour weren’t that terrible. The food was passable, given that they were tourist traps.

We shared a set menu as we often found that a large tagine, starters, and fruit were enough to share between us.

This also saved us a little money, and it is a good budget tip if you don’t have a huge appetite. 

The guided tours are surprisingly insightful

On our desert tour, we made a few stops, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou.

This unbelievable site is famous for its Kasbah and fortified village, which have been used as an ethereal film set on many occasions. 

We had a guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou that only cost 25 MAD per person [approx £2].

This tour contained lots of interesting information about the history of the traditional Mud Brick city on the edge of the Atlas Mountains.

If you are a film geek, you’ll love all the insider info on how they filmed epics such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and most recently, Game of Thrones.

I was properly geeking out hearing all about how it was used as the slaving city of Yunkai, to which Daenerys Targaryen laid siege in Game of Thrones.

Bring cash on your Moroccan desert tour

Morocco’s currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), and you will definitely need to bring some MAD with you on your desert trip.

This is because Morocco is a country that primarily uses money instead of cards, especially for daily purchases.

Do not expect the tiny cafe on the side of the Atlas mountains to take Mastercard. If anything, they won’t even accept large notes half the time.

ATMs will also be scarce in most of the desert tour stops, so make sure to take out money before you start. 

Someone will try and sell you a carpet

As with any group tour, you are a captive audience with little control over your schedule.

Inevitably, in Morocco, this means you will be taken to a carpet shop. There’s no point fighting it; it’s going to happen. 

Accept that you will have to drink gallons of mint tea and hear about the wonders of Berber carpets.

On our tour, we were taken to a “traditional Berber carpet shop”, [aren’t they all?]

We had to sip outrageously sugary mint tea and politely listen as the carpet shop owners extolled the many virtues of owning a Moroccan rug.

In all fairness, the shop owners didn’t give us the hard sell and were pretty gracious when not a single one of us wanted to buy a carpet.

Again, this is why it’s important to research your desert trip. Luckily, we only had one carpet stop on our trip.

I’ve heard from other travellers, though, that their desert tour was basically a nonstop carpet tour, which frankly sounds like my idea of hell. 

Pack a small bag for the Sahara desert tour

When you arrive at the Merzouga, you will be told to just bring a small bag to the desert camp and leave your big bag on your bus.

This is because you will ride a camel to the dunes for sunset and then go on to the Bedouin desert camp for the night.

You must carry your possessions on a camel, so pack light. You won’t be able to bring a huge suitcase on a camel.

I recommend a small backpack with a change of clothes, water, a camera, snacks, and any valuables you don’t want to leave on the bus. 

Camel trekking in the Sahara

Riding a camel as the sun sinks behind gigantic sand dunes is an experience that will never leave me. 

The slow plodding along of these beautiful camels up and down the dunes is a fun experience, though can be very sore on one’s derrière, to be honest.

The camels were treated very gently by their handlers. This is something we properly researched before booking our trip. 

Be aware that you are not in charge of your camel; the camels are all connected together in a long line and led by camel handlers. 

This means there’s a lot less chance of your camel going rogue and suddenly breaking into a run. [If camels can actually run, I’m not 100% sure about this.]

Sunset in the Sahara desert is unreal

Sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes of the Sahara desert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On this incredible desert tour, you ride your camel into the dunes, leaving all signs of civilisation behind. You won’t find a Starbucks here my loves.

I would recommend climbing to the top of the dunes to get the best sunset view and golden hour photos for Instagram.

I promise you that you will look magnificent in any desert photos when you are bathed in lovely desert light as the sun sinks below the golden dunes.

The Bedouin desert camp is basic but nice

We stayed in the ‘budget option’ Bedouin desert camp on our tour, which was much better than I had expected.

The camp is divided into fairly sturdy tents with proper beds. This is definitely a more comprehensive setup than I was preparing myself for. There are also toilets, a separate tent serving dinner, and a campfire area. 

Budget Desert Camp Sahara 

At our desert camp, we were served a pretty nice tagine dinner. We were then treated to a campfire with traditional Moroccan music and singing.

The desert camp staff are rather insistent on us joining in with the singing and dancing.

Admittedly, this felt a bit ‘Christian rock camp’ after a while. Especially if you are completely sober because you forgot to bring wine. 

See incredible stars in the Sahara Desert

If you are into stargazing and astrophotography, then you will be dazzled by the stars in the Sahara desert. 

The Sahara desert is a brilliant place to stargaze. The sky is usually clear; if you lie back, you’ll see a carpet of stars and planets above.

Erg Chebbi is located in a sparsely populated region of southeastern Morocco. The lack of urban development means there is virtually no artificial light to obscure the natural brightness of the stars.

This absence of light pollution allows for a crystal-clear view of the night sky, where thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye.

The Sahara Desert’s dry climate contributes to the night sky’s clarity. With low humidity levels, less atmospheric moisture distorts the starlight.

This results in sharper, more defined views of celestial bodies, making it easier to spot constellations, planets, and even distant galaxies.

If you can brace for the cold night temperatures of the desert, sit outside and see if you can spot the many constellations, planets, shooting stars and the Milky Way.

Bring bottled water to the desert camp

I cannot stress this enough, guys. You need to pack your own bottled water in your small bag for the overnight desert camp, as there is no water there.

Luckily, our bus driver reminded us several times and stopped at a shop just before we got to the desert so we could buy water.

I’ve heard stories from other travellers [on more shoddy desert trips] who weren’t informed of this. These poor travellers then ended up with no water for the evening. 

There is no wine in the desert

Surprisingly, your desert camp tent does not have a minibar. So, if you wish to drink booze at the desert camp, you’ll need to bring it with you.

I recommend getting your drink of choice before you embark on your journey. It will be much easier to buy adult beverages in places like Marrakech than in tiny Berber villages along the way.

While the desert camp staff appear to be fine with people bringing booze to the camp, remember to respect the local culture.

No one wants to hear you sing “Roxanne” shirtless whilst swigging from a bottle of cheap gin.

Keep the drinking sensible, guys. Remember, you will also be awoken crazy early for your sunrise camel trek. 

The Sahara desert is freezing cold at night

The Sahara desert temperature at night is super cold, so come prepared. Bring lots of warm layers and thermals.

Pack warm socks, leggings, tops, and a hat. Especially if you are visiting Morocco in Winter.

While the Sahara Desert can be crazy hot by day, the temperatures drop dramatically at night and can be freezing cold, especially in winter. 

You can travel onwards to Fes 

If you want to travel onwards to Fes from Merzouga rather than return to Marrakech, you must arrange this in advance with the tour company.

The most common way is to take a shared taxi from Merzouga to Fes, which takes around 8 hours. Make sure to ask the tour company about the transport costs to Fez. 

Manage your Sahara desert trip expectations 

This one is crucial to your enjoyment of the trip. Yes, the Sahara desert is magical, but it is an arduous journey to get there.

You will spend many hours in a minibus with a group that you may or may not get along with. 

You will have to pay for tourist trap restaurants, carpet shop trips, and tips, and you will have no control over your schedule.

It’s really important to be fully aware of these things before booking your desert trip. This way, you know what to expect and won’t be disappointed. 

Is a Sahara desert trip worth it?

Despite the long journey and group tour elements, I think it’s worth the trip to experience the Sahara desert. 

The landscape is insanely beautiful, and the sunset is utterly dreamy. Luke and I had a really romantic trip, and we‘ll always remember it.

Admittedly, his trip isn’t for everyone, and it’s a long way to go if you are short on time in Morocco.

I recommend that you do extensive research and decide if a desert trip is right for you and your travel companions. 

What do you think of my Sahara desert tour tips? Would you visit this incredible part of Morocco? Let me know in the comments below.

Practical Tips for Visiting Erg Chebbi

• Best Time to Visit:
  • October to April: Optimal months for pleasant temperatures and clear skies.
  • Avoid Summer (June-August): Temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F).
• Weather:
  • Daytime: Warm to hot; always apply sunscreen.
  • Nighttime: Can get chilly; bring layers for warmth.
• What to Bring:
  • Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and lightweight, long-sleeve clothing.
  • Hydration: Plenty of water; dehydration can occur quickly in the desert.
  • Comfortable Footwear: Sand-resistant shoes for walking on dunes.
  • Layered Clothing: Light layers are used for daytime, and warm layers are used for cool evenings.
• Essentials:
  • Personal Medication: Bring any required medications as pharmacies are scarce.
  • First Aid Kit: Basic supplies, including band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and blister treatments.
  • Cash: ATMs are rare; bring enough cash for your stay and tipping.
  • Power Bank: Ensure your devices stay charged, especially for photos.

Desert tours in Morocco FAQ

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