Sahara Desert Camping & Stargazing in Morocco
Sahara desert camping in Morocco: a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, camel ride to camp, dinner by the fire, stargazing, or Agafay by Marrakech.
Sahara desert camping
Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.
Short on time? The Agafay desert, close to Marrakech, offers camps with dinner and a wide open sky without the long drive. It is a stone desert rather than sand dunes, but the sunsets over the Atlas Mountains and the quiet nights are a real escape from the busy city streets.
Best seasonOctober to April
Why choose desert camping & stargazing in Morocco
Real dunes
Erg Chebbi is a sea of orange sand dunes rising high above Merzouga. Camps sit inside the dunes, away from the village lights.
A sky full of stars
With no city glow and very dry air, the Milky Way is easy to see on clear, moonless nights. Your guide can point out the main constellations.
Choose your comfort
Sleep in a simple tent close to how nomads live, or in a spacious tent with a bed, shower and toilet. Both give you the same dunes and sky.
Arrive by camel
Most guests ride to camp on a camel at sunset and return at sunrise – the desert at its most beautiful.
Music and food by the fire
Evenings at camp usually mean a hot dinner, mint tea and Gnawa or Berber drumming around the fire.
Who is Sahara desert camping for?
Couples
A night in the dunes, sunset on a ridge and stars from your tent door – many couples call it the best night of their trip.
Families
Children love climbing the dunes and sandboarding. Choose a tent with private bathroom for more comfort with kids.
Photographers
Sunrise and sunset light on the dunes, plus night-sky photos on moonless nights. Bring a small tripod.
Groups of friends
Shared tents, music by the fire and fun in the sand. If you need total luxury or a lot of comfort, tell us – not every desert camp offers the same level.
“Short on time?”
— Our team in MoroccoHow it works
- Tell us your dates
Send us your dates, where you are staying and how many you are – on WhatsApp or by email.
- We plan it with you
We suggest the best time and option for desert camping & stargazing and send you a clear price.
- Meet our team
On the day, our team meets you and explains everything before you start.
- Enjoy every moment
Live the experience – and add more adventures to your trip if you like.
Ways to do it with us
Book it on its own, or as part of one of our itineraries.
Agafay desert camp evening from Marrakech
Sunset, dinner and stars at a camp in the Agafay desert, with an option to stay overnight.
Ask us on WhatsApp →4 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
Cross the Atlas, visit Ait Benhaddou and the gorges, then camel ride to a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
See the itinerary →Sahara tour with two desert nights
More time in the dunes: two nights in the desert, buggy rides and sandboarding.
See the itinerary →Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara
Start in Fes, spend a night in the Merzouga dunes and end in Marrakech.
See the itinerary →A typical day
This is a typical night at a Merzouga camp; times are approximate and follow sunset and sunrise, which change with the season.
- Arrive at the edge of the dunes
Your big bag stays in the vehicle; you take a small backpack for the night.
- Camel ride or 4x4 to camp
Ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes as the light turns golden.
- Sunset from a dune ridge
Climb a ridge near camp and watch the sand change colour.
- Dinner and music by the fire
A hot dinner, mint tea and Berber drumming around the fire.
- Stargazing
Walk a few minutes from the camp lights and let your eyes adjust to the sky.
- Sunrise and breakfast
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then breakfast before heading back.
Where it happens
Desert camping & stargazing with us takes place in these parts of Morocco – tell us where you are staying and we suggest the closest option.
- 1Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)
- 2Marrakech
- 3Agafay desert
- 4Fes
- 5Aït Benhaddou
Useful information for Sahara desert camping
How to get to the camp
Merzouga is a long day’s drive from Marrakech or Fes, so most people come on a 3 to 5 day tour that breaks up the road. From the edge of the dunes you ride a camel or go by 4x4 to the camp. Your big bag can stay in the vehicle; take a small backpack.
Nights are colder than you think
The desert loses heat fast after sunset. From November to February nights can be close to freezing, so camps provide thick blankets – bring a warm jacket, hat and socks too.
Stargazing tips
The best nights are around the new moon; a full moon lights up the dunes but hides fainter stars. Walk a few minutes from the camp lights, give your eyes 15 minutes to adjust, and use a red light rather than a bright torch.
What the camps offer
Standard camps have shared toilets and showers; luxury tents usually have private bathrooms. Electricity is often solar and limited, so charge devices when you can. Tell us about diet needs before you arrive.
Respecting the desert
Take your rubbish back with you, do not drive or ride over fragile areas outside the tracks, and keep music low after the camp goes to sleep.
Before you book
- Camp type
- Tell us if you want a simple nomad-style tent or a tent with private bathroom – not every camp offers the same comfort.
- Cold nights
- From November to February nights can be close to freezing – bring a warm jacket, hat and socks.
- Diet
- Tell us about vegetarian, allergy or other diet needs before you arrive, as camps cook with what they bring in.
- Getting there
- Merzouga is a long drive from Marrakech or Fes, so most guests come on a 3 to 5 day tour – we help you plan the route.
- Health
- If you cannot ride a camel, tell us and we arrange a 4x4 transfer to the camp instead.
Best time for Sahara desert camping
October to April is the best time for Sahara desert camping: warm days and clear nights. Winter nights are cold but the sky is often at its clearest. Summer is very hot during the day, though nights at camp can still be pleasant; spring sometimes brings windy, sandy days.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepPossible
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
BestGoodPossibleAvoid
Request your desert camping & stargazing
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the details and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- We adapt the option to you
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
Sahara desert camping: 10 questions
Is Sahara desert camping in Morocco safe?
Yes. Desert camps around Merzouga are run by local families and teams who live in the area, and your guide stays with you. The main things to watch are the cold at night and the sun during the day.
How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
The Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are a long day’s drive from Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas. That is why most people visit on a 3 to 5 day tour with stops on the way. The Agafay desert is much closer to Marrakech.
Is it cold in the Sahara at night?
Yes, especially from November to February, when nights can drop close to freezing. Camps provide heavy blankets, but bring a warm jacket, hat and socks. In summer nights are mild.
What should I wear in the Sahara desert in Morocco?
Loose, long clothes that cover your shoulders and legs protect you from sun and sand. Add a scarf, sunglasses and a warm layer for the evening. Sandals or light shoes are fine on the dunes.
What is a Merzouga desert camp like?
Camps sit among the dunes, with tents around a central area for dinner and music. Standard camps share bathrooms; luxury camps have private bathrooms and real beds. Dinner and breakfast are usually included.
Can you see the stars in the Sahara desert?
Yes – on clear, moonless nights you can see the Milky Way with your eyes. Check the moon phase when you plan your dates if stargazing is important to you.
Is a luxury desert camp in Morocco worth it?
If you want a proper bed, a private shower and more space, yes. The dunes and the sky are the same in both, so a standard camp is a great choice if you are happy with simpler comfort.
Can I do Sahara desert camping from Marrakech in one night?
Not to Merzouga – the drive is too long for a single night trip. From Marrakech you can camp in the Agafay desert in one evening, or join a 3 day or longer tour to reach the Sahara dunes.
Is the Agafay desert camp worth it?
Yes, if your time is short. Agafay is a stone desert, not a sand sea, but it offers beautiful sunsets, quiet nights and good food not far from Marrakech.
Is there electricity and Wi-Fi at Sahara desert camps?
Most camps have some electricity, often solar, for lights and charging. Wi-Fi and phone signal vary from camp to camp and are often weak – many guests enjoy the break.
Combine it with
Two experiences in one trip – our favourite pairings.
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Desert camping & stargazing + Camel & horseback treksArrive at camp on a camel at sunset and ride back across the dunes at sunrise.See camel & horseback treks →+
Desert camping & stargazing + Quad & buggy ridesAdd a quad or buggy run in the Erg Chebbi dunes before or after your night at camp.See quad & buggy rides →
Add desert camping & stargazing to your trip
Tell us your dates and where you are staying – we organise everything with you.