Activity in Merzouga
Merzouga buggy tour
A Merzouga buggy tour is the most comfortable way to race across the dunes: two seats, a steering wheel and a roll cage. We set out across Erg Chebbi with a local guide, at whatever time suits you.
What you will see
- Two seats: one drives, the other enjoys the ride
- Roll cage
- The big dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Stops to watch the sunset
What the ride is like
A buggy drives like a car, so no experience is needed. After a briefing, the guide leads the way across the dunes, with stops on top for photos. As a two-seater, it’s ideal for couples or for having your child right beside you.
At sunset the dunes change colour and the temperature is pleasant. It’s the most requested time, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Always with a guide
Buggy rides go out with a local guide. If you’d like to go without one, ask us: it depends on the vehicle and availability.
The reason is simple: Erg Chebbi has no roads. The dunes move with the wind, and a slope that was gentle yesterday can end in a sharp drop today. The guide knows these dunes, knows where you can climb and where you can’t, and chooses the route according to the state of the sand and the driver’s level.
All we ask is simple: follow the guide’s tracks, keep your distance from the vehicle in front and stop when the guide stops. If at any point you want to slow down, just say so: the group sets the pace, not the clock.
The buggy ride, step by step
1. Meeting point in Hassi Labied
We meet at the edge of the dunes in Hassi Labied. If you’re staying in Merzouga or Hassi Labied, it’s just a few minutes away; if you’re coming from further afield, tell us when you book and we’ll explain how to get there.
2. Handling briefing
Before you start, the guide shows you the controls and how the buggy behaves on sand: when to accelerate on a climb and how to come down a dune without braking hard. Then a short loop on flat ground to build confidence.
3. Into the dunes, behind the guide
We head into the erg. The guide leads the way and adjusts the route as you go: gentler if it’s your first time, longer if the group wants more.
4. Stops on the crests
On the crests we stop, switch off the engine and get out to look. From up there the sea of sand stretches to the horizon, and it’s time for photos. At sunset, the long stop is to watch the sun go down.
5. Back to the start
We return to Hassi Labied in the last of the light or, if you go out in the morning, before the heat sets in.
Who the buggy is for
The buggy is for anyone who wants the thrill of the dunes with the feel of driving a car: you sit down, with a seatbelt, a steering wheel and pedals. That’s why it’s popular with couples, groups of friends who split into several buggies, and anyone who doesn’t quite see themselves on a quad.
If you’re travelling with children, tell us their ages when you book and we’ll advise you. For younger children, the 4x4 excursion is usually the most relaxed option: you see the dunes and the area around them without driving.
What to bring on a Merzouga buggy tour
On the dunes, sand gets everywhere, and the temperature drops quickly at sunset. This is what you’ll need:
- Closed shoes: sandals fill up with sand
- Sunglasses
- A scarf or neck gaiter to cover your mouth and nose if the wind picks up
- Sunscreen, in winter too
- Water
- In winter, a warm layer for the ride back at sunset
- Clothes you don’t mind getting sandy
Best time of day and best season
Sunset is the most requested time: the light is low, the dunes turn reddish and the sand is no longer scorching. First thing in the morning has the same soft light, fewer people and sand that’s still cool.
In summer it’s best to avoid the middle of the day, when the heat on the dunes is intense. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. In winter the days are mild but the nights are cold, and you’ll feel it on the way back from the sunset. On very windy days the sand gets blown around, and the guide may suggest another time or a shorter route.
Combining the buggy with other activities
Many travellers do the buggy at sunset and spend the morning on the 4x4 excursion around the area: the nomads, Khamlia, the Mfis mines. Others book the buggy one day and the sunset camel ride the next. Tell us how long you’re staying in Merzouga and we’ll suggest how to fit it all in.
How to book
Message us on WhatsApp or by email with the date, your preferred time (sunset or morning), how many people are coming and where you’re staying. We’ll reply with a proposal and a fixed price, with no obligation. Sunset is the most requested slot, so the sooner you write, the easier it is.
Durations and prices
What’s included
Included
- Two-seater buggy
- Local guide
- Fuel
- Helmet and goggles
- Vehicle and safety briefing
Not included
- Tips
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit in a buggy?
Two: the driver and a passenger.
Is it safer than a quad?
It’s more comfortable and stable: you sit with a seatbelt and a roll cage. Either way, you go out with a guide.
Buggy Merzouga price: how much does it cost?
It’s charged per buggy and per hour, with the guide, fuel, helmet and goggles included. Each buggy carries two people. Message us and we’ll give you the price.
Is the Merzouga buggy tour suitable for children?
You must be 18 to drive and 16 to ride as a passenger. With younger children, the 4x4 tour is the calmest option.
What should I wear for a buggy tour in Merzouga?
Closed shoes, sunglasses, a scarf against the sand and sunscreen. In winter, a warm layer for the ride back at sunset.
Are helmets and goggles included?
Yes: helmets and goggles are included, along with the fuel and the guide.
Buggy or quad: which should I choose?
The buggy is more comfortable and stable, and seats two; the quad is more physical and you steer with handlebars. If your group likes the sound of both, tell us when you book and we’ll advise you.
Where to sleep in the desert
A night in a private tent
If you want to stay longer in the desert, Tassili Luxury Desert Camp has ten tents with private bathrooms in Erg Znaigui, away from the main camp area.
- Ten private tents
- A private bathroom in every tent
- In Erg Znaigui, away from the main camp area