Morocco Sahara Desert

Popular Morocco Sahara Desert experiences include trekking along ancient trade routes on a camel, sleeping out under the desert stars, and rising at the break of dawn to watch the sunrise over a sea of orange dunes. Most Morocco Sahara tours visit one of the two most accessible areas: the dunes of Erg Chebbi, close to the town of Merzouga, or Erg Chigaga, near the town of Zagora.

Although day tours are possible from Merzouga, most travelers opt for an overnight camping excursion, trekking out into the desert by camel or 4x4, then spending a night at a traditional Bedouin encampment. From Marrakech or Fez, a 3-day tour often includes a visit to the desert town of Ouarzazate, the Draa Valley, or the Kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famously used as a filming location forLawrence of Arabia,Gladiator, andStar Wars.

• It takes a full day to reach the Sahara Desert from Marrakech, so a multi-day trip is essential.

• Wear light, long-sleeved clothing to protect against the desert sun and bring a scarf to wrap around your face (the sand can get in your eyes and mouth if there’s a breeze). Pack something warm for the evening—the desert can be cold at night even in summer.

• For camel riding, comfortable trousers and closed-toed shoes are recommended.

• Expect very basic facilities at the desert campsites and no electricity, so bring a flashlight and an extra battery pack for your camera.

• A 4x4 is required for driving in the desert, mountains, and surrounding towns.

The easiest way to experience the Morocco Sahara Desert is on a guided tour from Marrakech, Fez, or Merzouga, with round-trip transportation included. Merzouga and Zagora are the gateway towns to the desert dunes. Both routes travel mountain and desert roads and take at least a full day. Buses run to Zagora and Merzouga from Marrakech, but you will still need to take a tour to explore the desert on arrival.

The most popular time for a trip into Morocco's Sahara Desert is May through October, but the summer months of June to August can get extremely hot during the day. Visiting in winter (December to February) means that daytime temperatures will be much more pleasant, but it can drop below freezing at night and sandstorms are more frequent.

Spending a night in the Sahara Desert is a cultural experience in itself. As well as watching the stunning desert sunset and sunrise, visitors stay at a traditional Bedouin camp and learn about Berber culture. Most campsites are accessible only by camel or on foot. Upon arrival, guests are treated to traditional Moroccan specialties such as tagine and sweet mint tea, with entertainment including traditional Berber music and dance. Additional activities may include sand boarding and quad-biking excursions.

Yes, you can visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco. It's a popular attraction. Tours offer different activities and cater to a variety of budgets. You can go more basic or luxurious, choose camping or glamping for a night, arrive by camel, or see the sunset and sunrise over the dunes.

Try to visit the Sahara Desert in May or October, when the temperatures are mild. You’re more likely to have colder weather and sandstorms in the other months—weather conditions that make sleeping in Berber tents, riding camels, sandboarding, sipping Moroccan mint tea, and eating desert tagines a lot more uncomfortable.

Head to Merzouga as a starting point into the Moroccan Sahara Desert. From there, hop on a camel heading to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which are perfect backdrops for photos of you riding camelback. There are loads of Berber desert camps, perfect for spending a night under the stars.

Cover yourself up when you visit the Sahara, to protect from both wind and sun. Be prepared for warmer days and colder nights with long sleeves. One thing to wear is a blue Berber scarf, which helps both block the sand and fit into the desert fashion.

Yes, a visit to the Sahara Desert is worth it, especially for the sunrise, sunset, and chance to learn about Berber culture. Stay for a tagine dinner and Berber singing and hand clapping. Then, recline as the stars come out. You can also ride camels for the full desert experience.

Stay away from the Sahara Desert in the height of summer when temperatures become intense. Try to go in spring or fall, when temperatures are mild—you’ll also avoid sandstorms and chilly winter temperatures. Note that spring and fall are tourist seasons, so you probably won't be alone.