Merzouga jeep tour: a 4x4 desert excursion

The Merzouga 4x4 tour route

We leave Merzouga on the tracks that circle Erg Chebbi. The first stop is with a nomad family, who live in tents as they always have and invite us in for tea. Then on to Khamlia, the village of the Gnawa musicians, whose music came from sub-Saharan Africa with the caravans.

Next come the abandoned mines of Mfis, where lead was once extracted, and the black desert, a plain of dark stone full of fossils. We head back skirting the dunes, stopping at the viewpoints and at the oasis of Hassi Labied.

Dayet Srij, the lake that appears with the rain

Dayet Srij is a seasonal lake that only holds water after the winter and spring rains. When it does, waterbirds arrive and, sometimes, flamingos. When it’s dry, we drive across its basin. We can’t promise it: it depends on the year.

• More about Dayet Srij

A desert tour without camels

If you’d rather not ride a camel, this excursion doesn’t need one. And if you’re sleeping in the desert, we can also do the transfer to the camp by 4x4. It’s the option for families with young children, older travellers, or anyone who simply doesn’t want to climb onto a dromedary.

What to bring and when to go

Even though you sit in the 4x4, at every stop you get out and walk on sand and stone. Bring closed shoes, sunglasses, a scarf in case the wind picks up, sunscreen and water. In winter, a warm layer: mornings and evenings are cool.

In summer, the best time to set off is early in the morning, before the heat builds. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, and winter is when Dayet Srij is most likely to have water.