Morocco Destination Guide
Sahara Desert
Erg Chebbi and Erg ChegagaThe Desert that
Changes Everything
For most travellers who experience it, a night in the Sahara Desert is the defining moment of their Morocco journey. There is nothing else in North Africa that compares to watching the sun sink behind dunes 150 metres high, then waking to find the same dunes glowing gold and pink in the first light of dawn.
Morocco has two great sand seas. Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is the more accessible, with enormous orange dunes rising from the flat desert floor. Erg Chegaga, further west and reachable only by 4x4 across open desert, is truly wild ; no paved roads reach it and the silence and vastness are extraordinary.
Both ergs offer the classic desert experiences ; camel trekking at sunset, sleeping under canvas in a luxury camp, stargazing under dark skies free from any light pollution. The difference is in the degree of remoteness. We have guided travellers in both and will recommend the right option for your journey.
Quick Facts
Two Deserts,
Two Experiences
Morocco's two great sand seas are very different in character. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right one for your journey.
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
The most famous sand sea in Morocco, with enormous orange dunes rising 150 metres near the village of Merzouga. More accessible with a range of desert camps from budget to luxury. The dunes themselves are among the most dramatic in the Sahara.
Erg Chegaga, near Zagora
The wild desert. Reachable only by 4x4 across open hammada from Zagora, Erg Chegaga has no paved roads and no tourist infrastructure. The silence is absolute and the sense of real remoteness is unlike anything at Erg Chebbi.
Sunset Over the Dunes
The light at golden hour transforms the dunes from orange to deep amber, rose and crimson in a sequence that changes minute by minute. Watching sunset from a high dune crest, with the silence of the desert all around, is the defining moment of any Sahara experience.
Stargazing at Night
The Sahara has zero light pollution. On a clear night the Milky Way is so bright and dense it looks almost solid above you. The silence of the desert amplifies the experience ; nothing between you and one of the most extraordinary skies in the world.
Luxury Desert Camps
The best desert camps offer comfortable beds, private bathrooms and freshly prepared Moroccan meals under canvas. We select camps carefully for their remoteness from crowds, quality of service and the authenticity of the experience they provide.
Camel Trekking
Arriving at your desert camp by camel at sunset is the classic Sahara experience. The camels are gentle and experienced handlers guide you through the dunes. The view from camel-back as the dunes glow in the last light of the day is incomparable.
How to Make the
Most of the Sahara
The Sahara rewards those who give it time. These are the experiences that make the difference between passing through and truly knowing the desert.
Sunrise on the Dunes
Rise before dawn and climb to the highest dune crest to watch the sun appear over the horizon. The dunes shift from deep purple to rose to blinding gold in minutes, and the absolute silence makes it feel like the world is being born again.
Nomadic Berber Family Visit
At Erg Chegaga your guide can arrange a visit to a nomadic Berber family who live in the desert year-round. Sharing mint tea in a traditional goat hair tent with a family whose way of life has remained unchanged for generations is one of the most memorable experiences available in Morocco.
4x4 Desert Excursion
A guided 4x4 tour across the wider desert beyond the dunes, exploring dry riverbeds, hammada plateaus and ancient caravan routes. The best way to experience the desert for those who want to see what lies beyond the first ridge of dunes.
Sandboarding on the Dunes
Climbing to the crest of the highest dunes and descending on a sandboard is one of the great physical pleasures of the Sahara, particularly popular with younger travellers. The descent down 150 metres of open sand is fast and exhilarating.
When to Visit the
Sahara Desert
The Sahara is a year-round destination but summer temperatures are extreme. The ideal seasons are spring and autumn, with winter offering a unique cold desert experience.
March to May. Warm days 25 to 35°C with cool nights. The desert is at its most beautiful with clear skies and perfect light for photography.
June to August. Temperatures regularly exceed 45°C. Not recommended for most visitors ; only experienced desert travellers should attempt the Sahara in summer.
September to November. Temperatures a comfortable 25 to 33°C. Excellent visibility, beautiful light and fewer visitors than in spring.
December to February. Cold nights near 0°C with warm days of 18 to 22°C. Snow on the dunes is rare but extraordinary. Christmas in the Sahara is unforgettable.
Journeys to the
Sahara Desert
This is our dedicated Sahara Desert journey ; eight days from Marrakech to the remote wild dunes of Erg Chegaga, the finest desert experience available in Morocco.
8 DaysMarrakech and the Sahara Desert
The complete Erg Chegaga experience. Marrakech, Ait Benhaddou, the Draa Valley and two nights at the remote wild camp with a nomadic Berber family visit, camel ride and stargazing.
View JourneyReady to Sleep Under
the Stars of the Sahara?
Tell us which Sahara you want to experience and how many nights you have. We will arrange everything from the vehicle and guide to the desert camp and camel handlers.