The Best Desert Camps in Merzouga: Luxury and Traditional Camps in Erg Chebbi

A night in a desert camp among the dunes of Erg Chebbi is the moment most travellers remember from Morocco: a camel ride at sunset, dinner under the stars, drums around the fire and a sunrise over waves of orange sand. But Merzouga has hundreds of camps, from simple Berber tents to luxury suites with private bathrooms. This guide explains how the camps work, what to look for and which ones guests rate best.

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How desert camps work

Most camps sit inside the dunes, out of sight of the villages. You usually leave your car or bags at a hotel or the camp’s office at the edge of the desert in the late afternoon, then ride a camel for 45 minutes to an hour to camp as the sun sets. Some camps can be reached by 4×4 instead, which is easier for children, older travellers and anyone with mobility issues. In the evening you eat a dinner of soup, tagine and fruit, then gather around the fire for Gnawa or Berber music. In the morning you climb a dune for sunrise, have breakfast and ride back.

Standard camps vs luxury camps

Standard camps have simple tents with beds and blankets, shared toilets and showers, and a communal dining tent. They are the most affordable option and feel the most traditional.

Luxury camps have spacious tents with proper beds, electricity, and a private bathroom with a hot shower in each tent. Many have terraces, lounges and even small pools, and they are usually included as half board. Today most camps listed on Booking.com fall into this category.

Before booking, check four things: whether the camel ride or 4×4 transfer is included, whether each tent has a private bathroom, how far the camp is from the village, and whether there is heating or extra blankets in winter.

The best-rated camps in Merzouga

Merzouga Luxury Camp

Sahara Majestic Luxury Camp

Sunrise Sahara Camp

Tassili Luxury Desert Camp

Lantern Luxury Camp

Dihya Luxury Camp

Rosara Luxury Camp

Prefer a hotel at the edge of the dunes?

If you want a pool, a big bed and a dune view without sleeping in a tent, stay in a kasbah-style hotel facing the dunes and book a sunset camel ride from there. Many travellers do one night in a hotel and one night in camp.

Kasbah Mohayut

Kasbah Erg Chebbi

Riad Jouba

Sahara Pearl Hotel

Getting to Merzouga

Merzouga is about 560 kilometres from Marrakech, a long day’s drive of 9 to 10 hours over the High Atlas, and about 470 kilometres from Fes, around 7 to 8 hours. Most travellers break the journey with a night in the Dades Valley or the Ziz Valley. The easiest option is a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech or Fes, which includes transport, a night in camp and stops on the way; compare tours on GetYourGuide. To drive yourself, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars. Errachidia Airport, about 2 hours away, has domestic flights; compare flights on Aviasales.

Do it like a Moroccan: local tips

• Travel light into camp. Leave your suitcase at the hotel or in the car and take a small overnight bag.
• Pack warm layers. Desert nights are cold, close to freezing in winter. Bring a fleece, a hat and warm socks.
• Bring a head torch. Camps are lit at night, but paths between tents and dunes can be dark.
• Wear a scarf. Wrap it as a turban against sun and sand; your camel guide will happily show you how.
• Carry cash. There are few ATMs in the area, and tips for guides and musicians are usually in dirhams.
• Stay connected. Coverage in the dunes is patchy; download offline maps and get a Morocco eSIM from Airalo before you go.

Read our Merzouga travel guide and our comparison of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, or plan your route with the free Moroccanly trip planner.

Cover photo: Desert Morocco Adventure on Unsplash