Picolo recommends · Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Merzouga desert camp: a night among the Sahara dunes
You ride into the sunset on a camel, eat tagine under the stars and wake in a tent surrounded by dunes as tall as houses. This is how to stay in the Sahara in Morocco.
Erg Chebbi
The dunes near Merzouga.
The camel sways, the sand hisses under the animal in front of you, and somewhere behind the next dune a row of white tents comes into view. The sun is low, and the sand shifts from yellow to orange to almost red. When it has gone, the stars arrive, more than you thought existed.
Merzouga lies in the far east of Morocco on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a sea of dunes that is one of the most accessible places to experience the Sahara. This is where the desert camps are, from simple Berber tents to camps with proper beds, private bathrooms and dinner by the fire. The journey is long, which is exactly why it feels so far away.
We have picked one camp in the middle of the dunes and one kasbah with a pool on the edge, so you can combine the two. The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose a desert camp in Merzouga
Luxury camp: tents with beds, private bathroom and dinner. You arrive by camel or 4x4.
Kasbah or hotel in Merzouga: a pool, a proper shower and the dunes right outside. A good choice for the night before or after.
Combine: one night in the camp is enough for most people, two if you want a full day in the dunes.
The camp
The tents in neat rows.
Dinner
Served under the open sky.
The tent
Beds and a bathroom inside the tent.
The suite
Room to relax after the ride.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we like Luxury Camp Chebbi
The camp sits among the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with tents in neat rows and a shared area where dinner is served under the open sky.
The tents have beds and bathrooms, so the night is more adventure than expedition. Get up before sunrise and climb the nearest dune.
The camels
An evening ride in the dunes.
Luxury Camp Chebbi: tents in the middle of the dunes
Luxury Camp Chebbi sits among the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with tents in neat rows and a shared area where dinner is served under the open sky. The tents have beds and bathrooms, so your night in the desert is more adventure than expedition.
Get up before sunrise and climb the nearest dune. It is hard going in the sand, but the view over an ocean of dunes in the morning light is the reason you made the trip.
Book your stay: See rooms at Luxury Camp Chebbi
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Luxury Camp Chebbi in Merzouga
Tents with beds and bathrooms, right among the dunes.
The night
A starry sky over the Sahara.
How to get to Merzouga
Most people drive from Marrakech across the Atlas Mountains, often via Ouarzazate and the Dadès and Todra gorges, with a night on the way. It is a long trip, so allow at least two days each way if you want to see anything en route. There are also domestic flights to Errachidia, some distance away. Read more about Marrakech and in our Morocco travel guide.
When is the best time to visit the Sahara?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions. In winter the days are mild, but desert nights can be cold. Summer is extremely hot and not suited to desert trips.
When should you book?
March to May and October to November: high season, so book the camp along with your flights.
Christmas and New Year: popular for desert camps, so book early.
Camel ride: ask the camp about going in by camel and out by 4x4, or the other way round.
Alternatives
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
Would you rather have a pool and walls?
Frequently asked questions about Merzouga desert camps
Where can you sleep in the Sahara Desert?
The easiest place to sleep in the Sahara in Morocco is at the desert camps in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. Camps range from simple tents to luxury camps with beds, private bathrooms and dinner.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?
The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga crosses the Atlas Mountains and takes most of a day. Most people break it up with a night on the way.
Is the desert cold at night?
Yes, especially in winter the nights can be cold even when the days are warm. Bring warm clothes, and the camps provide blankets.
How many nights should you spend in a desert camp?
One night is enough for most people. Choose two if you want a full day of camel rides, sandboarding and sunset in the dunes.
Can children stay in a desert camp?
Yes, many families do. Choose a camp with beds and a private bathroom, and add a rest night in Merzouga before or after.