Sahara Desert Camping: What to Expect

A night in a camp among the dunes is the part of a Sahara trip most guests talk about afterwards. It is quiet, the sky is full of stars and you wake up for sunrise over the sand. Here is how a typical night at one of our camps runs, and how to prepare.

The Experience

A typical night at camp goes like this:

1. Arrival: you reach the edge of the dunes in the late afternoon
2. Camel trek: camels carry you through the dunes to camp (about 1 hour)
3. Sunset: you watch it from a high dune close to camp
4. Welcome: Moroccan tea and snacks when you get in
5. Dinner: a traditional Berber meal (tajine, couscous or similar)
6. Music: Berber drumming around the campfire
7. Stargazing: the sky out here is full of stars
8. Sleep: comfortable tents with real beds
9. Sunrise: an early start to see the sun come up over the dunes
10. Breakfast: Moroccan breakfast (bread, jam, tea)
11. Return: by camel or 4x4 back to Merzouga

Camp Facilities

At our desert camps you will find:

• Berber-style tents with real beds and linen
• Shared or private bathrooms with running water
• A dining tent for meals
• A campfire area
• Solar-powered lighting
• Blankets and pillows

What to Pack

• Warm layers for the evening (jacket, fleece)
• Comfortable shoes for walking on sand
• Headlamp or torch
• Wet wipes
• Toiletries
• Camera
• Power bank

Best Time for Desert Camping

October to April is the best period. Winter nights can be cold (0-10°C), so pack warm layers. You can camp in summer, but the heat makes it uncomfortable.

Standard vs Luxury Camps

We run two levels of camp:

• Standard camp: comfortable tents and shared bathrooms
• Luxury camp: bigger tents with private bathrooms, AC and higher-end furnishings

Choosing Your Night in the Dunes

For most of our guests, a night at camp is the high point of a Sahara trip. Standard or luxury, you get the same stars, the same quiet and the same sunrise. Book a night through our multi-day tours or contact us for a custom package.