Zagora Desert: Is It Worth It? An Honest Guide

The short answer: Zagora is worth it if you only have two days and want a real desert night, palm groves and kasbahs. Its dunes are much smaller than the great dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), so if tall golden dunes are the reason for your trip and you have three days, choose Merzouga instead.

Where Zagora is

Zagora is a town in the Draa Valley in south-eastern Morocco, about seven hours' drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ouarzazate and Agdz. The famous old sign at the edge of town says "Tombouctou 52 jours", the camel caravan time to Timbuktu.

What you see on a 2-day Zagora trip

• The High Atlas road and the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with mountain villages and viewpoints.
• Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village and UNESCO site, if your route includes it.
• The Draa Valley, one of Morocco's longest palm groves, lined with mud-brick kasbahs and ksour.
• A camel ride at sunset into small dunes and a night in a desert camp with dinner and music.

Zagora vs Merzouga

Read our full comparison: Merzouga vs Zagora.

Is two days too much driving?

It is a long weekend on the road, but the drive itself is one of the most scenic in Morocco. A private driver lets you stop for photos, tea and lunch whenever you want, which makes the time pass much more easily than on a shared bus tour.

Best time to go

October to April is ideal. Summer days in the Draa Valley are very hot; desert nights in December and January can be close to freezing, so bring warm layers.

Stops worth making on the way

• Tizi n'Tichka viewpoints on the High Atlas pass.
• Ait Ben Haddou for its earthen ksar: see our Ait Ben Haddou guide.
• The Agdz viewpoint above the first palm groves of the Draa.
• Kasbah Tamnougalt near Agdz, a large old kasbah open to visitors.

Bigger dunes: Erg Chigaga

South of Zagora, beyond M'Hamid, the dunes of Erg Chigaga are as wild as Merzouga's but reachable only by 4x4 across the desert. It needs at least three or four days from Marrakech. See our Erg Chigaga guide.

Local tips

• Bring a warm layer: even after a hot day, desert nights cool quickly.
• In autumn, buy fresh dates from Draa Valley stalls.
• Charge cameras before the camp; power is limited.

Frequently asked questions

Are there real sand dunes in Zagora?

Yes, but small ones. For big dunes you need Merzouga or Erg Chigaga.

Can I see Zagora in one day from Marrakech?

Not realistically: it is about 14 hours of driving return. Two days is the minimum.

What is near Zagora?

Tamegroute, with its green pottery and old library, is just south of town. See our Draa Valley and Tamegroute guide.

Book a short desert escape: our private 2-day Zagora desert tour from Marrakech includes the camel ride and camp. Ask for a free quote.

Plan it with us: Sahara desert in Morocco, Desert tours from Marrakech and Morocco desert tours.