When you think of Morocco, you quickly think of the desert. The Erg Chebbi desert is part of the Sahara, and you can find several beautiful camps where you can stay overnight, mostly in luxury tents. In the evening, while sitting by the campfire, you can admire the most brilliant starry sky as the locals bring out their musical instruments. Here are some tips on how to arrange your desert overnight stay in Morocco.

Merzouga, the base for the Sahara

On the edge of the desert, you’ll find the town of Merzouga, which serves as the base for a stay in the desert. After a long journey of about 8 hours from Fez, it’s nice to spend a night here and take it easy. We stayed at Kasbah Azalay and can highly recommend it! From the pool, you can overlook the desert, enjoy a delicious meal in the evening, and Youssef is an excellent host. The next day, you can relax by the pool or hop on a quad bike to explore the desert. In the afternoon, you can travel to your desert camp during the sunset, either by a 4×4 vehicle or on a camel.

Choosing from the different camps

There are various camps to choose from, and at first glance, most of them seem quite similar. However, there’s a significant difference in prices. Some camps are very basic, while others are luxurious with comfortable beds and private bathrooms. Additionally, some camps include dinner and breakfast in their price, while others don’t. We stayed at Sahara Desert Luxury Camp, where both breakfast and dinner were included. After dinner, the camp staff lit a campfire in the desert, and traditional Moroccan musical instruments made an appearance. Don’t forget to take a walk into the desert where there’s no light pollution, allowing you to marvel at the most brilliant starry sky!

Camel Riding and Sunset in the Desert

You can choose to go to your camp on a camel or a quad bike. Riding a camel is not inherently bad like riding an elephant. However, it’s always a question of whether the camels are well taken care of and treated properly. In some camps, this is better than others, and it can be difficult to check. So, you may consider if you want to do this. You can arrange transportation to the camp with a camel or a quad bike through your camp in advance, and both camels and quads depart from Merzouga. You’ll enjoy the sunset in the desert and arrive at your camp shortly afterward.

Tips for Sleeping in the Desert

• Don’t expect the camps to be completely secluded. Due to new regulations, the camps are no longer allowed to be located deep in the desert. As a result, the camps are relatively close to each other and on the edge of the desert. However, you won’t notice this when you’re in the camp because you’ll still have a view of the tall orange dunes.
• Take only carry-on luggage and leave your large suitcase or backpack at the hotel in Merzouga.
• In the winter months between November and March, the nights can be quite cold. So, bring some warm clothing.

Sample Itinerary for Your Sahara Experience

Day 1: Drive from Fez to Merzouga (8 hours with short stops)

Day 2: Morning and afternoon by the pool and optional quad biking in the desert. In the afternoon, travel to the camp for your overnight stay in the desert by 4×4 vehicle or camel.

Day 3: After breakfast, retrieve your luggage in Merzouga and head to the Todra Gorge.