Picolo recommends · Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Luxury Camp Chebbi
Tents with beds and bathrooms among the dunes of Erg Chebbi, dinner under the open sky and a dune to climb before sunrise.
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.
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.
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.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose 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.
What you get
- Tents with beds and bathrooms
- Dinner served under the open sky
- Dunes right outside the tent
A day at Luxury Camp Chebbi
- Afternoon
- Arrive at the camp among the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- Sunset
- Out on the sand as the dunes turn red.
- Evening
- Tagine under the stars in the shared area.
- Dawn
- Climb the nearest dune before sunrise for the view over a sea of sand.
Location
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Morocco
Open in MapsWhen 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.
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.
Questions about Luxury Camp Chebbi
Is Luxury Camp Chebbi worth it?
Yes, for one or two nights. You get the Sahara experience with a bed, a bathroom and dinner served, without giving up comfort. The journey there is long, so combine it with a night in a kasbah on the way.
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.
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
Would you rather have a pool and walls?
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles
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