Things to Do in Merzouga: A Local's Guide to the Sahara
Looking for the best things to do in Merzouga? This local guide covers camel treks, desert camps, villages, markets and practical tips for your visit to the Sahara.
We live and work in Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, so this is our home, not just a stop on the map. Here are the experiences we recommend to our own guests, plus practical tips on when to come, how to get here and where to stay.
1. Ride a camel into the dunes at sunset
The classic Merzouga moment. Leave the village in the late afternoon and ride for about an hour into Erg Chebbi as the sand turns orange, then red. Most camel treks end at a desert camp where you spend the night.
2. Spend a night in a desert camp
Dinner under the stars, Berber drums around the fire and total silence after. Camps range from simple nomad tents to luxury tents with private bathrooms, beds and showers.
3. Watch the sunrise from the top of a dune
Wake before dawn and climb the dune behind your camp. Some dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to about 150 metres, and the view over the sea of sand as the sun comes up is unforgettable.
4. Try sandboarding
Slide down the steep dune faces on a board. Most camps lend boards for free; the hard part is walking back up.
5. Explore the dunes by quad bike or buggy
For a faster way to see Erg Chebbi, take a guided quad or buggy ride around the edges of the dunes, from 1 hour to half a day.
6. Take a 4x4 tour around Erg Chebbi
A full or half-day drive around the dunes that combines the best stops below: Khamlia, nomad families, old mines, fossil sites and the seasonal lake.
7. Listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia
The village of Khamlia, just south of Merzouga, is home to Gnawa musicians whose ancestors came from West Africa. Stop for tea and a live performance of their hypnotic music.
8. Visit a nomad family
Some Amazigh nomad families still live in tents around the dunes. With a local guide you can share tea and learn how they live in the desert.
9. See the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji
After good rains, a shallow lake appears west of the dunes and attracts flamingos and other birds, usually in winter and spring.
10. Shop at the Rissani market
Rissani, 35 km away, holds a big traditional market on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with spices, dates, livestock and the famous donkey parking. Try the local stuffed “Berber pizza” (medfouna).
11. Discover fossils in Erfoud
The area is rich in fossils over 300 million years old. Visit a workshop in Erfoud to see how fossil marble is cut and polished.
12. Stargaze in the darkest sky you have ever seen
With almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible on most nights. Ask your camp to switch off the lights for a while after dinner.
When is the best time to visit Merzouga?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal: warm days and pleasant nights. Summer (June to August) is very hot, often above 40°C, so camel rides happen only early and late in the day. Winter days are sunny and mild, but nights in the desert can drop close to freezing, so bring warm clothes.
How to get to Merzouga
- From Marrakech: about 560 km, a 2 to 3-day trip through Ait Ben Haddou and the gorges is the best way. See our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech.
- From Fes: about 470 km through the Middle Atlas. See our 3-day desert trip from Fes.
- By plane: fly to Errachidia, about 2 hours from Merzouga. See our desert tours from Errachidia.
- By bus: Supratours runs buses from Marrakech and Fes to Merzouga.
Where to stay in Merzouga
For the full Sahara experience, sleep in a camp inside the dunes. Our team runs Dihya Desert Camp in Erg Znagui, with luxury tents and private bathrooms. If you prefer a hotel, there are kasbah-style hotels along the edge of the dunes in Merzouga and Hassi Labied.
Things to do in Merzouga: frequently asked questions
One night in a desert camp is enough to enjoy the sunset, the camp and the sunrise. Stay two nights if you want to add a 4×4 tour, Khamlia and the Rissani market.
Yes. Merzouga is a welcoming village that lives from tourism. As anywhere, book camel treks and camps with a known company.
Not from Marrakech or Fes, which are 7 to 10 hours away. From Errachidia it is possible but rushed; staying at least one night is much better.
Light, loose clothing that covers your shoulders, a scarf for sun and sand, closed shoes or sandals, and a warm layer for the evening.
Ready to see the Sahara?
Tell us your dates and where you are starting from, and we will plan your Merzouga trip.