If you’re asking yourself is Merzouga worth visiting? The answer is a resounding yes! Known for its breathtaking sand dunes and picturesque landscapes a trip to the Merzouga Desert should be part of your travel itinerary if you are looking for an authentic desert experience. There are plenty of things to do in Merzouga and we recommend you stay a few days.
Discover the Best Things to do in Merzouga
How to get to Merzouga Desert?
Start your journey by renting a car or joining a tour bus from any major city in Morocco. If you’d rather fly, the nearest big city with an airport is Errachidia. Once you arrive in Merzouga Village a staff member from the desert campsite you have reserved will greet you and give you a lift in a 4×4 truck. If you prefer to travel far into the desert on a camelback trip, this can also be arranged for you.
Note: Reaching the Merzouga Desert from Marrakech takes about 8 hours by car.
We decided to rent a car as doing so is relatively cheap in Morocco. This also allowed us to continue on our trip towards Fez without having to go back to our starting point, as you would when booking a tour bus.
How many days do you need in the Merzouga Desert?
The ideal amount of time to spend in the Merzouga Desert is two to three days. This will allow plenty of time to unwind, settle down, join in some fun desert activities, and admire the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Below is our suggested detailed itinerary on how to make the most of your time and which activities to include.
Day 1: Travel to the Merzouga Desert
Check into your desert camp. You will most likely be greeted with Moroccan tea and biscuits. Admire the stunning desert surroundings and go camel trekking during sunset. After dinner, experience local music and dance performances around a bonfire. Step away (but not too far) from your camp at night for some stargazing.
Day 2: Explore the Merzouga Desert
Wake up early to witness the sunrise over the sand dunes. After breakfast, explore the vast desert surroundings and hike to the tallest dune of Erg Chebbi. No guide is needed, just look at the tallest one and start walking!
If you want the full desert experience make sure to go sandboarding or join a 4×4 desert safari. In the evening return to your desert camp and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Learn about the local culture and way of life
Wake up and take a moment to enjoy the tranquility of the desert before departing from Merzouga. If you have time, consider visiting a Berber village to learn about the way of life and culture of the area. There are also other attractions, such as the fossils at Erfoud or the Tafilalt Oasis that you can visit nearby.
Note: Don’t forget to pack breathable, lightweight clothing for the day and something warmer for the night. Bring plenty of water with you on your desert travels to stay hydrated. Apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes.
Check out our 10-day Morocco Itinerary!
Where to Stay in the Merzouga Desert?
There are many different lodging choices, from luxurious to more budget-friendly desert campsites.
We stayed at Sunrise Sahara Camp. This luxury desert glamping is located further into the Merzouga Desert and unlike other campsites, this one only has about 4 tents. The tents have a circular shape and are well-equipped with heating, an indoor, heated shower, and a huge window facing away from the other tents overlooking the desert. In their rates, breakfast and dinner were included, as well as pick up and drop off from the nearest village, a camel ride during sunset, snacks, and jamming sessions around the campfire. We paid 150 EUR per night (January 2023), so we found it reasonably priced.
Did you Know
By booking your accommodation for your visit to the Merzouga Desert through our link, we earn a small commission and it does not cost you anything more.
12 Must-Do Activities in the Merzouga Desert
- Spend some time unwinding, settling down, and admiring the stunning desert surroundings.
- Go camel trekking at sunset.
- Wake up early to witness a sunrise over the sand dunes.
- Hike to the tallest sand dune of Erg Chebbi.
- Go sandboarding.
- Join a 4×4 off-roading safari adventure!
- Sit around a bonfire while the locals sing and play the drums.
- Indulge in Moroccan tea and biscuits.
- Spend the night under the stars in the desert.
- Learn about the local culture and traditions and visit a Berber Village.
- Check out the fossils at Erfoud.
- Spend half a day in Tafialt Oasis.
Thinking about other desert destinations? Read our blog post on Siwa Oasis, the hidden gem of Egypt!
