Which Morocco desert tour should you choose?
Staying in Marrakech? The 3 day round trip to Merzouga is the most popular choice. Visiting both Marrakech and Fes? Take a one-way desert crossing and avoid driving the same road twice. Want more than one night in the dunes? The 4 day tour adds a full 4x4 day around Erg Chebbi, Khamlia and Rissani.
Not sure? Send us your dates and we suggest the best route for your trip.
Merzouga or Zagora?
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) has dunes up to about 150 metres high and is the real Sahara experience; it needs at least 3 days from Marrakech. Zagora is closer but has small dunes. We focus on Merzouga — read Merzouga vs Zagora: which Sahara desert?
What a night in the desert is like
You arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and ride a dromedary for 45–60 minutes into the dunes to watch the sunset. At the luxury camp you have a private tent with real beds and an en-suite bathroom, dinner under the stars and Berber music around the fire, then sunrise over the dunes before breakfast. More in camel trekking in Merzouga: what to expect.
Best time for a Sahara desert tour
October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cold nights (bring a warm layer from November to March). Summer tours run with early starts and the camel ride at sunset. See the best time to visit the Sahara Desert and our Sahara packing list.