Merzouga Desert Travel Guide – How to get there, the best time to visit Erg Chebbi, desert camps, camel treks and what to pack for the Sahara.
Merzouga is a small Berber village in south-east Morocco, at the foot of Erg Chebbi, the most famous sand sea of the Moroccan Sahara. The golden dunes stretch for about 22 km and the highest reach around 150 metres. This guide, written by our local Berber team, answers the questions travelers ask us most often.
Where is Merzouga?
Merzouga is in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, close to the Algerian border, about 50 km south of Erfoud and 35 km south of Rissani. It is the main gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where most desert camps are located.
How to get to Merzouga
- From Marrakech: about 560 km, 9 to 10 hours of driving through the High Atlas, Ouarzazate and the Dades and Todra gorges. Most travelers do it in 3 days so they can enjoy the stops. See our desert tours from Marrakech.
- From Fes: about 470 km, 7 to 8 hours via Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley. See our desert tours from Fes.
- By plane: the nearest airport is Errachidia (about 2 hours by car). We offer a private transfer from Errachidia.
- By bus: buses connect Marrakech and Fes with Rissani and Merzouga, but the journey is long and you still need a camp and a camel ride on arrival.
When is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant months are March to May and September to November: warm days and comfortable nights. From December to February the days are sunny but nights in the desert can be close to freezing, so bring warm layers. In June, July and August midday temperatures often pass 40°C; camel rides then take place at sunset and sunrise, and most camps provide fans or air conditioning.
Desert camps: traditional or luxury?
A traditional Berber camp offers simple tents, shared bathrooms, dinner around the campfire and drum music. A luxury camp adds a private tent with real beds and an en-suite bathroom with shower. Both are reached by a camel ride of about one hour, or by 4×4 if you prefer. Discover our Merzouga trips and camps.
Things to do in Merzouga
- Sunset and sunrise camel rides over the dunes
- Sandboarding on the high dunes of Erg Chebbi
- 4×4 excursion to visit nomad families and hear Gnawa music in Khamlia village
- Quad or buggy rides, and a walk in the Hassi Labied oasis gardens
- Stargazing: the sky above the Sahara is one of the clearest in Morocco
What to pack
A scarf or turban against sun and sand, sunglasses, sunscreen, a warm jacket for the night (even in spring and autumn), comfortable closed shoes, a small torch, a power bank and some cash in dirhams, as cash machines are rare around the dunes.
How many days do I need?
From Marrakech or Fes, plan at least 3 days. With 4 or 5 days you travel at a relaxed pace and have a full day in Merzouga for the 4×4 trip and the nomads. If you are already in Erfoud or Errachidia, even one night in the desert is enough to live the experience.
Do you have a question we did not answer? Contact us or write to us on WhatsApp: we were born here and we are happy to help you plan your trip.
Merzouga Desert Travel Guide: useful information
With Merzouga Packages, “Merzouga Desert Travel Guide” is a private experience run by a local Berber team that lives in Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The program adapts to your pace, with pick-up from your hotel or riad, an experienced driver-guide and hand-picked accommodation.
For more ideas, see also these pages: Morocco Tours and FAQ. To learn more about the places you will visit, read the article on Erg Chebbi on Wikipedia.
