A Sahara desert trip to Merzouga takes you to Erg Chebbi, the great sea of sand dunes in south-eastern Morocco, a long day’s drive from Marrakech or Fes. Most visitors book two or three days, ride a camel into the dunes at sunset and spend one night in a desert camp.
What is Erg Chebbi?
Erg Chebbi lies on the far western edge of the Sahara, close to the Algerian border. The dune field stretches about 28 km from north to south and is roughly 5 to 7 km wide. In places the dunes rise up to 150 metres above the surrounding stony plain, which is why the sunrise and sunset views are so popular.
Merzouga is the small tourist village on the western side of the dunes. The nearest larger town is Erfoud, about 60 km to the north, while Rissani is roughly 40 km from Merzouga.
- Dune field: about 28 km long, 5 to 7 km wide
- Highest dunes: up to about 150 m
- Base village: Merzouga
- Nearest large town: Erfoud, about 60 km
How to get to Merzouga from Marrakech or Fes
Marrakech to Merzouga is about 550 km, roughly nine to eleven hours by road, so most guided tours split it over two days with a night on the way. Fes is closer: about seven hours by car, and organised tours from Fes are usually planned as two days.
The last stretch is the fun part. From Merzouga the camps are about an hour away by camel or around 20 minutes by 4×4. If you are building a wider itinerary, our guides to one day in Marrakech and one day in Fes make good start or end points.
Costs, trip length and the best time to go
A standard guided desert tour from Marrakech lasts three days, with one night on the way and one night in the desert, and one travel guide quotes around 100 euros for it. If you travel on your own, a camel or jeep transfer to a camp costs about 60 euros round trip per person, according to the same source. Prices vary by season and camp standard, so treat these as a rough guide and compare offers.
Independent travellers should plan at least one night in the dunes, and two nights if you want a slower pace. Temperatures swing widely: days can be very hot in summer and nights can be cold in winter, so check the forecast. For timing across the whole country, see our best time to visit Morocco guide.
What to pack for a desert camp
- A small daypack, since large suitcases are often left at the base
- Head covering, sunglasses, neck scarf and sunscreen
- A warm fleece or sweater for the night, plus a beanie and gloves in winter
- Long, comfortable trousers for the camel ride
- Sturdy sandals, because sand fills sneakers
- A power bank, torch or headlamp and enough water
FAQ
How many days do you need for Merzouga?
Two days from Fes or three days from Marrakech is the usual tour length, with at least one night in the desert.
How long is the camel ride?
Plan on about one hour to the camp, a little longer at a slow pace. A 4×4 transfer takes around 20 minutes.
Is it cold in the Sahara at night?
Yes, especially in winter. Night temperatures can drop sharply, so bring warm layers and consider a camp with heating.
Sources: Erg Chebbi, Wikipedia; 22places, Merzouga desert tour guide
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