Most people come to Merzouga for the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Few expect to find a lake full of pink flamingos just beside them. Yet in wet years, the desert near Merzouga turns blue: Dayet Srji, the lake of Merzouga, fills with water and becomes one of the most surprising sights in Morocco.
What is Dayet Srji?
Dayet Srji (also written Dayet Srij, and known locally as the lake of Merzouga) is a seasonal salt lake on the plain at the foot of Erg Chebbi, close to Merzouga village. It has no river feeding it: the lake fills only with rain and flash floods from the surrounding hills, and slowly evaporates under the desert sun.
Because of this, the lake is different every year. After a rainy autumn and winter it can hold water for many months, usually from around November to May, and in very wet years until the summer. In dry years it shrinks to a few pools or disappears completely, leaving a flat white salt pan.
Flamingos in the desert
When the lake is full, it becomes a stopover for migrating birds crossing the Sahara. The stars of the show are the greater flamingos: hundreds of pink birds wading in the shallow water, with the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi rising behind them. It is a scene that looks almost unreal.
Flamingos are not the only visitors. More than a hundred bird species have been recorded around the lake, including ducks, waders and herons, which makes the area a special place for birdwatchers and nature photographers.
The lake came back to life
For years the lake was mostly dry. Then in autumn 2024, rare heavy rains hit south-east Morocco and filled the dry lakes of the region. Dayet Srji came back to life, the flamingos returned, and photos of water between the dunes travelled around the world. For locals in Merzouga, it was a moment of real joy.
When to see the lake
- Best season: late autumn to spring, when the lake is most likely to hold water and the flamingos are present.
- Best time of day: early morning or sunset, when the light is soft, the water is calm and the dunes reflect in the lake.
- Check before you go: since the lake depends on rain, ask your guide or camp about the water level during your stay.
Tips for visiting
- Keep your distance from the birds. Flamingos are shy and fly away if you walk too close, so bring a zoom lens or binoculars.
- The ground around the lake can be soft and muddy after rain. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Combine the lake with a camel ride or a 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi for a full day of contrasts: water, dunes and desert villages.
- Respect the place: take your rubbish with you and don’t disturb the wildlife.
Visit Merzouga Lake with Morocco Paradise
Our local team lives in Merzouga and knows when and where the flamingos can be seen. We can add a stop at the lake to any of our private desert trips, along with sunset on the dunes and a night in a desert camp. Don’t miss our guide to the tallest dune in Merzouga, Erg Chebbi.
Start your desert adventure from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca or Tangier, and contact us with your dates to plan your trip.
