Glamping in the Sahara – Things to Know About Spending the Night in the Desert in Morocco

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Before our departure to the glamping camp in the Sahara near Merzouga, someone local told me: “Don’t be lazy. At 4 am, come out of the tent and look at the sky.” I won’t hide it – when after a busy day in the desert, at 10 pm, I happily slid under the blanket in a cozy tent, and at 4 a.m., the alarm went off, the last thing I wanted was to go somewhere. Even if it was just a couple of steps from the bed to the exit of the tent. 

«What is there to see?» – I asked myself. “The starry desert sky? You enjoyed it in Nevada, Egypt, Israel, and Ukraine. Isn’t the topic pretty much covered?” With these thoughts and still half asleep, I got out of bed, put my right slipper on my left foot, got my sweater on backward, reached the exit of the tent, and stepped outside. I raised my head and gasped. 

Right above the camp, a piece of the moon hung, bathing everything around in milky light and creating the feeling that everything around was a fairy-tale set. Adorning the moon, the stars shined brightly, and it felt as if someone had dropped a jar of diamonds onto the sky. Beyond the tents, camels snored, lying on the sand, the same camels we had ridden to the camp during the day. It was warm and peaceful in the desert. 

I stood there, gazing at the sky and the huge moon. I think I even forgot to breathe. Then I took off my shoes and slowly walked on the sand. And now, as I write this blog, recalling in detail that nocturnal rendezvous with the desert, I think about how I would gladly return. Glamping in the Sahara… just for that alone, it’s worth planning a trip to Morocco.

Glamping in Morocco: Covering the Basics

When it comes to glamping in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, the array of options can be overwhelming. While Merzouga is a favorite among travelers, there are several other areas in the Moroccan desert that captivate with their scenic dunes, luxurious camps, and a plethora of unique activities to enjoy in the desert.

The challenge doesn’t ease once you’ve narrowed down the search to a specific erg, as the next question arises: What is the best desert camp or glamping site in Morocco? How long should you stay? Which activities should you prioritize in your itinerary, and which might you need to forgo due to time constraints?

Hopefully, this concise guide on glamping and spending the night in the Sahara Desert in Morocco will assist you in deciding the type of experience you prefer. While we only managed to include one night in the desert on our itinerary, if time allowed, we would have extended our stay.

Where to Spend the Night and Sleep in the Desert in Morocco?

There are currently several sites tailored for tourists camping or glamping in the Moroccan desert. These include the popular Merzouga, offering a plethora of activities in the area, the more remote and authentic Zagora region, and Agafay. Although Agafay is not part of the Sahara and is a desert in its own right. It is well worth a day trip and offers many adventures. 

The key question is: What distinguishes these locations, and which one best suits your Moroccan travel itinerary?

Merzouga Desert Tours: Classic Glamping in the Sahara Desert

Merzouga desert trip is the perfect choice for everyone looking for glamping at its finest. Erg Chebbi is located less than an hour away from Merzouga in Morocco. Visitors have the option to stay in riads in the town or choose from numerous camps nestled among the dunes. The Moroccans who run camping businesses in this area are adept at transforming an overnight stay in the desert into a luxurious experience.

Note: The Sahara desert is predominantly flat, but there are areas known as ergs, characterized by extensive dunes sculpted by wind-blown sands. For picturesque desert landscapes featuring these dunes, consider visiting Erg Chebbi near Merzouga or Erg Chigaga in the Zagora region.

Reaching Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi can be done either by camel or by 4×4 vehicle. If you arrive in Merzouga by car, you’ll likely find parking available at the kasbah nearest to the dunes. Typically, the owners of desert camps operate them as an additional source of income alongside hotels, kasbahs, and riads in the town. 

Life in Erg Chebbi is bustling. When choosing where exactly you want to relax in the Sahara, this factor is worth considering. In this part of the Moroccan desert, there is a wide selection of campsites and glamping options, which leads to quite a traffic of travelers. Despite the abundance of camps in the area, they are all separated by dunes, providing a sense of privacy. We picked our camp based on reviews and ratings left by other travelers and were very pleased with our choice.

Glamping in the Sahara desert means you’ll spend the night in a luxurious tent equipped with Wi-Fi, running water, and an in-tent bathroom. Dinners and breakfasts are served on-site.

The list of things to do in Merzouga, Morocco, includes camel trekking, quad biking, dune exploration, photography, stargazing, and evening Berber-style performances by the fire.

Agafay Desert Experience in Morocco

Many Moroccan desert trips start from major cities like Fes or Marrakech. But, hey, heads up – the journey from either of these locations is quite a haul, taking at least 8 hours by car or bus. 

Take Marrakech to Merzouga, for example – that’s a full-day trip of over 12 hours by bus! If you’re keen on a round-trip adventure around the country but find yourself on a tight schedule, swapping Merzouga for the Agafay desert might be a more sensible option.

It only takes about an hour to reach Agafay from Marrakech, making it the perfect choice for a day trip to a desert in Morocco. Unlike the Sahara, Agafay’s sands are darker and more saturated, as it is a stone desert. The tradeoff for the simpler route is that you won’t have the iconic golden dunes of the Sahara as a backdrop in your photos.

However, when it comes to activities, you’ll find plenty of options. You can still enjoy quad biking, camel trekking, stargazing, dining with local families, and glamping. While the selection of luxurious camps in the Agafay Desert is smaller, it’s still quite decent.

Exploring Zagora for a Desert Trip

Zagora often appears among the top options for Sahara Desert tours in Morocco. However, diving into the specifics reveals that it’s not exactly Zagora itself that you should be focusing on. From Zagora, it’s a 2-hour drive to the village of M’hamid, where the road comes to an end. From there, the only way to reach Erg Chigaga is by 4×4. Even if you have one, if you lack experience driving on dunes, it’s safest to book a tour in M’hamid.

The competition between Chebbi and Chigaga ergs is as old as time. Chebbi’s dunes are taller, and the camps are more luxurious, but Chigaga offers a remote setting and a more authentic experience.

Time flies indeed, and with each passing year, Morocco sees an increasing number of travelers. Consequently, the country continues to expand its tourist sites and offerings. Erg Chigaga, while still home to simpler camps without red carpets leading to the tents, now also boasts a few luxurious accommodations to choose from.

When it comes to activities, sandboarding is more commonly mentioned in Chigaga than in Chebbi. Local tour companies also offer authentic bread-baking masterclasses, trips to the local nomadic settlements, and journeys through the oasis, where savoring the breathtaking sunset or sunrise from one of the dunes is the #1 thing to do.  

What to Wear in the Sahara Desert in Morocco?

We visited the Sahara Desert in October, and let me tell you, it was the perfect time to go. Mornings and evenings were comfortably warm, with no need for extra layers. The daytime sun was gentle, but we still made sure to cover our shoulders and legs before trekking to the camp.  

However, if you’re heading to the desert in winter, those morning and evening layers might come in handy. While days are pleasant, temperatures drop once the sun sets. 

Regardless of the season, packing comfortable pants, a long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and a scarf to protect your head is always a good idea. When it comes to shoes, opt for comfortable tennis shoes over flip-flops, especially if you plan on camel trekking. The easier they are to put on and take off, the better. And trust me, there’ll come a time when you’ll want to kick off your shoes and go barefoot.

As for nighttime attire, it largely depends on your sleeping arrangements. For glamping, you needn’t worry too much about packing lots of layers to sleep in. There are usually beds with blankets, and the tent walls may be lined with carpets from the inside to shield you from the wind.

What to do in the Sahara Desert in Morocco?

Camel trekking reigns as the most popular activity in the area. It’s not just a mode of transportation; it’s also incredibly meditative. These majestic and patient animals amble slowly in caravans, led by a guide, allowing you to simply sit back and soak in the surroundings. Camel trekking can serve as both a means of reaching the camp (instead of taking a 4×4) or as a serene sunrise/sunset experience.

For those seeking thrills, 4×4 driving adventures across the dunes are a popular choice. We witnessed many travelers opting for these wild rides and it looked like they were having a lot of fun! If you prefer a safer way to navigate the desert, quad biking offers an exciting alternative, either in a group or as an individual tour.

Sandboarding is another unique desert activity that promises plenty of fun, even for beginners.

In the evening, many camps host activities around the fire, featuring Berber dancing, singing, and traditional music. For those interested in immersing themselves in the local lifestyle, there are opportunities for cooking classes, dining with nomads, and even baking bread in the sand. While these experiences may not always offer an entirely authentic portrayal, they are still a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the region.

And no matter how full your day may be, make sure to set aside time to wake up around 3-4 am for stargazing. The sky above the Sahara is unlike any other, and witnessing it is simply mesmerizing.

Compare activities in Merzouga and all the exciting things to do in Agafay, depending on where you’re headed.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco?

According to insights from the locals, the summer months tend to be the most challenging for desert visits. Daytime temperatures soar to around 40º C (104º F), with nights remaining quite warm, not dropping below 25º C (77º F).

For a more comfortable experience, consider visiting during October through November or March through May. During these months, daytime temperatures rarely exceed 30º C (86º F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 17º C (63º F).

Don’t discount the winter months, either. Although evenings may be colder, daytime temperatures are still favorable for outdoor activities, provided you dress in layers.

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