Sahara Desert Camping in Merzouga

Activity Overview

A night in the Sahara is nothing like a night in a hotel. Once the sun goes down the desert cools and the sky fills with more stars than most guests have ever seen. Our camps use comfortable Berber-style tents with real beds and linens, plus shared facilities. Dinner is a traditional Berber meal eaten outside, followed by music around the campfire. In the morning, the sunrise over the dunes is worth getting up early for.

Our camps sit deep in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and you reach them by camel or 4x4. We have standard and luxury options, with private tents for couples and families.

What to Expect

You arrive by camel at sunset and are welcomed with tea. A traditional Berber dinner follows. Afterwards there is drum music around the campfire and time to look at the stars before a comfortable night's sleep. Get up early for sunrise over the dunes.

A night among the dunes

When the engines stop and the sun drops behind the ridge, the desert goes quiet in a way that is hard to describe until you hear it. A night in camp is often the moment guests remember most. You eat dinner outside or in the dining tent, listen to drums by the fire, and later walk a few steps from camp to see more stars than you thought possible.

What the camp is like

Our tents are traditional in style but comfortable inside, with proper beds, linen and blankets. Bathrooms are shared, and private tents are available on request. Dinner is usually soup, a tagine and fruit, with mint tea before and after. In the morning there is time to climb a dune for sunrise before breakfast. Our article Sahara desert camping: what to expect goes into detail.

How you reach camp

Camps sit inside or at the edge of the dunes, reached by 4x4, quad, buggy or camel, depending on the trip. The 2 day Merzouga adventure includes a quad ride, a camel trek and a night in camp; the 3 day desert expedition adds a second camp further out.

Seasons and comfort

From November to February nights can drop close to freezing, so warm layers and a hat are essential; blankets are provided. In summer, evenings are pleasant but days are very hot, so we schedule activities early and late. Spring winds can lift sand in the afternoon. Check our weather guide and packing checklist before you go, and explore quad or 4x4 options to add to your night.

Frequently Asked Questions