3 days from Marrakech to Merzouga
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The Merzouga desert
The Merzouga desert lies in south-eastern Morocco: Merzouga is the village at the foot of Erg Chebbi, a Saharan sea of dunes. It’s our home: all our excursions start from here.
Where is Merzouga?
Merzouga is in the province of Errachidia, in south-eastern Morocco, near the Algerian border. The village and the ksour around it, such as Hassi Labied, sit on the western edge of Erg Chebbi, a sea of orange sand dunes that stretches for several kilometres from north to south.
The nearest town is Rissani, about 35 kilometres away, and the nearest airport, Errachidia, is about two hours away.
How to get to Merzouga, Morocco
From Marrakech it’s about 560 kilometres, crossing the High Atlas: 10 to 12 hours with stops. From Fes, about 470 kilometres through the Middle Atlas, 8 to 10 hours. That’s why almost everyone arrives on a multi-day tour, which breaks up the journey and stops at the sights along the way.
What to see around the dunes
The dunes come first, at sunset and at sunrise. But there’s much more around them: Khamlia, the village of the Gnawa musicians; the nomad families who live in tents; the old mines of Mfis; the black desert, a stony plain full of fossils; and Dayet Srij, a lake that only appears after the rains. A little further away are Rissani and its souk, and Erfoud, the town of fossils.
What to do on the dunes
A camel ride at sunset is the classic. For more thrills, the quad or the buggy on the Erg Chebbi dunes; to see the surroundings without any effort, the 4x4. And at night, the sky: in the desert there are no lights for miles.
When to go
You can go all year round. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. In summer it’s very hot in the middle of the day, so activities take place early or at sunset. In winter the days are mild and the nights are cold.
Spring
Warm days and mild nights. If it rained in winter, Dayet Srij may still have water and waterbirds.
Summer
Very hot at midday. Excursions take place first thing in the morning and at sunset, and the middle of the day is for resting in the shade.
Autumn
The good weather returns and it’s date season in the Tafilalet: Erfoud holds its date festival.
Winter
Mild, sunny days and cold nights in the desert. It’s the season when Dayet Srij is most likely to have water, and sometimes flamingos.
One night in the desert
Most travellers spend at least one night beside the dunes. It’s the part of the trip people remember most: the sunset from the top of a dune, the silence once the light goes, and a sky with more stars than you’ll ever see from a city. In the morning, it’s worth getting up early to watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi.
In winter, nights in the desert are cold even if the day was mild. Bring a warm layer for the evening and the night.
What to pack for the Merzouga desert
- Closed shoes for walking on sand
- Sunglasses and a scarf or neck gaiter against the sand
- Sunscreen, in winter too
- Water
- Warm clothes for the night, especially in winter
- A torch, or a charged phone, for getting around after dark
Rissani, Erfoud and the Ziz Valley
Almost every tour coming from Fes or Errachidia drives down the Ziz Valley, a canyon of palm trees, and passes through Erfoud, the town of fossils, with its stone workshops. Rissani, about 35 kilometres from Merzouga, has one of the great souks of the south and was the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty.
Erg Chebbi itself deserves its own page: what an erg is, how the dunes change colour through the day, and how it compares with Erg Chigaga.
How many days you need
One night in the desert is enough for the sunset, the night sky and the sunrise. With two nights there’s a full day to explore the surroundings by 4x4. Including the journey, from Marrakech we recommend 3 or 4 days, and from Fes, 3.
Merzouga as a couple or with children
As a couple, what stays with you is sunset from the top of a dune and a quiet night far from everything. A private tour lets you set the pace, and for more privacy at night, a tent with its own bathroom, away from the main camp area.
With children, two things help. The camel is optional: if a child doesn’t want to ride, the whole desert can be done by 4x4, including the transfer to camp. And the 4x4 excursion is the calmest activity: you stay seated and stop as often as you need. For quad biking and buggies, tell us the ages when you book and we’ll advise you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Merzouga in the Sahara?
Yes. Erg Chebbi is one of the Sahara’s ergs — seas of dunes — in Morocco.
What’s the difference between Merzouga and Erg Chebbi?
Merzouga is the village; Erg Chebbi is the dunes right next to it. People often say Merzouga to mean both.
Can I visit Merzouga independently?
Yes, there’s a paved road all the way to the village. But it’s a long journey, and a tour with a driver lets you stop at the sights along the route without driving for 10 hours yourself.
Does it get cold at night in the Merzouga desert?
In winter, yes: the days are mild, but the nights are cold. In summer the nights are warm. Always bring a warm layer for the evening.
What is the nearest airport to Merzouga?
Errachidia, about two hours away by road. Some of our tours start there too.
What can I do in Merzouga in one day?
A 4x4 excursion in the morning — the nomads, Khamlia, the Mfis mines — and the camel, the quad or the buggy at sunset.
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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