Sahara Desert Tours
Sahara Desert Facts: Where It Is, How Big It Is and How to See It from Morocco
Published November 4, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: the Sahara is the largest hot desert on Earth, covering about 9 million km² across North Africa, roughly the size of the United States or China. It spans 11 countries from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. Most of it is rock and gravel; sand seas (ergs) cover only about a quarter. In Morocco you can reach its dunes at Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and Erg Chigaga near M'Hamid.
Sahara Desert facts at a glance
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Size | About 9 million km², the largest hot desert in the world |
| Location | North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea |
| Countries | Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara |
| Name | From the Arabic "sahra", meaning desert |
| Sand dunes | About 25% of the surface; the rest is stony plateaus (hamada), gravel plains and mountains |
| Highest point | Emi Koussi volcano in Chad, about 3,400 m |
| Climate | Very hot days in summer, cold nights in winter, under 100 mm of rain a year in most areas |
The only larger deserts are the polar deserts of Antarctica and the Arctic. For deeper reading, the Sahara article on Wikipedia is well sourced.
A desert that was once green
Between roughly 11,000 and 5,000 years ago, during the "African Humid Period", the Sahara held lakes, grasslands, giraffes and hippos. Rock art from that time survives across the desert, and fossils of ancient sea creatures are still sold around Erfoud in Morocco, where marble slabs are full of ammonites and orthoceras.
Is the Sahara in Morocco?
Yes. The north-western edge of the Sahara covers south-eastern Morocco. Most of the Moroccan Sahara is hamada, but two large dune fields draw visitors:
- Erg Chebbi (Merzouga). Dunes up to about 150 m high in a field roughly 22 km long. Accessible by paved road, with camps of every level. Our Erg Chebbi guide covers it in detail.
- Erg Chigaga (M'Hamid). Wilder and more remote, reached by 4x4 across the desert from M'Hamid beyond Zagora.
How hot is the Sahara?
In the Moroccan Sahara, summer afternoons regularly pass 40°C, while winter nights can fall near freezing. Sand heats and cools fast, so the difference between day and night is large all year. Spring and autumn give warm days and cool nights; see the best time to visit the Sahara.
Who lives in the Sahara?
Only a few million people live across the Sahara, mostly in oases and towns. In Morocco the desert edge is home to Amazigh communities and to nomadic families who still move their herds with the seasons. Around Merzouga you also meet the Gnawa village of Khamlia, known for its music, descended from people brought across the Sahara from West Africa.
How to visit the Sahara from Morocco
- From Marrakech: 3 days minimum to Merzouga. Our Marrakech to Merzouga guide compares the options.
- From Fes: 2 to 3 days via the Middle Atlas; see Fes desert tours.
- As part of a longer trip: our 8 day Morocco tour includes a night in Erg Chebbi.
Everything about the desert itself, from camps to camel treks, is on our Sahara Desert Morocco page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Sahara Desert located?
In North Africa, stretching from the Atlantic coast of Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania to the Red Sea coast of Egypt and Sudan.
How big is the Sahara Desert?
About 9 million km², comparable to the area of the United States or China, which makes it the largest hot desert in the world.
Is the Sahara all sand dunes?
No. Sand seas cover only about a quarter of it. Most of the Sahara is rock, gravel plains and mountains.
Where can I see the Sahara Desert in Morocco?
At Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, the most accessible dunes, and at Erg Chigaga near M'Hamid, the most remote.
See it with a private driver
Planning a trip around this? These private, driver-guided itineraries cover it — every route can be adjusted to your dates.
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