Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
The great sand dunes of the Moroccan Sahara. People come to spend a night in a desert camp and watch the sun rise over the erg.
- It is far: allow a day's drive from Fez or Ouarzazate.
- The night in a desert camp must be booked in advance.
- Avoid high summer, when the heat is extreme.
What to see
Erg Chebbi is a sea of orange dunes, the highest of which exceed a hundred metres. They begin at the edge of the village of Merzouga.
The classic formula is to reach a camp by camel or 4x4 in the late afternoon, have dinner and sleep there, then climb a dune before dawn.
Around it, you can visit villages, palm groves and, depending on the season, a lake visited by migrating birds.
Getting there from Tangier
From Tangier, the easiest way is via Fez, then a long day's drive south. You can also come from Ouarzazate through the Dades and Todra valleys.
When to go
From October to April. Winter nights are cold in the desert.
How long to plan
At least three days there and back from Fez or Marrakech.
Limits of this page
Journey times are approximate and train, flight and site timetables change: check them before you leave. We give no price until it has been verified.