Merzouga

Merzouga is Morocco's premier desert destination, sitting at the edge of the Erg Chebbi — a sea of orange sand dunes rising up to 150 meters. It's the place most visitors picture when they imagine Morocco: riding camels at sunset into the dunes, sleeping under a billion stars in a Berber camp, and waking at dawn to watch the dunes shift color from purple to gold.

Merzouga has been a caravan stop on trans-Saharan trade routes for centuries. The Erg Chebbi dunes are unusual in Morocco — most of the Sahara in this region is rocky hammada, not sandy erg. The village grew significantly after desert tourism expanded in the 1990s. The Ait Ounir Berber tribe has traditionally inhabited this area.

The Berber nomadic tradition is alive here — guides are often from families who have navigated the desert for generations. Camel (dromedary) caravans remain a practical reality, not just a tourist attraction. Traditional music around the fire — drums, guembri, and call-and-response singing — is authentic Berber entertainment. The festival of Taragalte celebrates nomadic culture annually.

• ✓Avoid July–August: daytime temperatures exceed 45°C and are genuinely dangerous.
• ✓The 'luxury camps' vary wildly — read recent reviews carefully.
• ✓Budget camps offer the same stars as luxury ones — the view costs nothing.
• ✓Sandstorms can occur — protect your camera gear.
• ✓4WD vehicles are needed for dune driving; quad bikes are available for rent.
• ✓The drive from Marrakech via the Draa Valley (9h) is as spectacular as the destination.

No train. CTM buses from Marrakech (9h) and Fes (8h). Most visitors drive or take organised tours. Shared taxis from Rissani (45 min) are the cheapest option.