An Arabian Night: Camping in the Sahara Desert in Morocco

During our visit to Morocco, Mark and I travelled from Marrakech to Merzouga to spend a night camping in the Sahara Desert. While most destination experts will tell you that Erg Chebbi, the sand dunes close to Merzouga isn’t actually the Sahara Desert, I think that it offers a pretty good experience for anyone looking to tick that off their living list.

Merzouga

Getting from Marrakech to Merzouga

There are a few options available to you if you plan to travel from Marrakech to Merzouga. The first option is to hire a private taxi and driver to take you there. A second will be to join a group tour, starting and ending in Marrakech or Fes. These kinds of tours usually take about 3-5 days depending on the stops they make along the way. Then there is a third option, where you can rent a car and drive down by yourself.

The option you choose should largely depend on your budget, time and travel style. If you enjoy your privacy, want to make as many stops along the way and are willing to splurge, then the first and last option might be best for you. However, if you are on a time crunch and want a super affordable option, the small group tours are a good idea.

This option is easy to find especially from the major cities. They can also be quite affordable and convenient since they take away the stress of planning, especially if that isn’t your thing. However, for travellers who love the challenge, renting a car or even trying to figure out public transportation options available would be something to consider.

Ait BenHaddou Hotel
… with our rental car at Ait Benhaddou

Mark and I settled with the option of renting a car. It was perfect us since we weren’t on a tight budget and we wanted to be flexible with our stops.

The drive from Marrakesh to Merzouga is quite long. The entire trip, with no major stops, could take up to 10 hours. This can be quite exhausting and you would also be missing several exciting stops along the way. The best way to enjoy this road trip would be to allocate at least 3-4 days to it. This way, you can stop at sites like Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Todgha Gorges, amongst others.

Merzouga: Gateway into the Sahara Desert

Most tours that take you camping in the Sahara Desert begin in Merzouga, if you are visiting Erg Chebbi. Here, there is no shortage of guides available to organize your trip to the desert and back. In fact, when you drive past the city gate, into what I will refer to as the last frontier before the desert, several of these guides will flock around you trying to sell you a bargain. It can get pretty intense. Just based on our experience, I would advise that you book your guide beforehand.

For our trip, we found Omar, a tour operator who runs a company called Camel Trekking. We trusted the reviews we read online and luckily, we were not disappointed.

Camping in the Sahara Desert

Our tour package with Omar included a 1-night stay at Hotel Nomad Palace, a mid-day desert drive in a 4×4 vehicle, afternoon tea with a Berber Nomad, breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of our stay and finally, a camel trek to lead us to the main event, camping in the Sahara Desert.

The camel trek into the desert usually begins in the evening. So, if you arrive early, (or a day before your trek, like we did), you can spend the entire morning and afternoon exploring the areas close by.

Also, this time could be excellent to take some pictures with the stunning backdrop if that’s something you are interested in doing. We took this trip in January, which happens to be a winter month in Morocco. At midday, the weather warmed up nicely, making it extremely pleasant to be outside, striking poses in a summer dress!

The Sahara Desert Tour…

The Sahara Desert Tour

Around evening, the camel-back ride to the desert will begin. It is usually done in a convoy, so you might find yourself grouped with other travellers. Also, the trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how far your camp is. Contrary to many experiences I’ve read about, the ride was not too uncomfortable for me. Getting atop and off the camel was the main challenge!

A few minutes into our ride, our convoy stopped to allow us to enjoy a gorgeous sunset in the desert. Then we continued onward to our camp.

Camel Riding in Morocco Sahara Desert

Camping in the Sahara Desert…

When you think about camping in the Sahara Desert, don’t let your mind wander off to traditional camping experiences. It is more of a glamorous camping experience popularly dubbed as ‘Glamping’. So, you shouldn’t be surprised to find your tents fitted with an actual bed and an indoor bathroom and toilet.

Be aware that accommodation options differ and some camps are more glamorous than others. If your tented accommodation is very important to you, I would advise that you book them by yourself or communicate your preferences clearly to your guide or tour operator.

Camping in the Sahara Desert Erg Chebbi

As far as activities in most camps go, there is usually a bonfire after dinner. The guides and guests gather around the fire to play and listen to Berber music. This lasts for a while before everyone goes back into their tents. Some people emerge again when the moon goes down to watch the stars.

I’d say that one night of camping in the Sahara Desert is all you need. But perhaps you might choose to stay longer if you checked into a luxury camp. After a frigid night in a barely warm tent, I felt very happy to leave the next day.

Because sunrises are also a desert tour highlight, guides go around to each tent to wake guests up for a spectacular show of nature. There aren’t many sights that compare to the beauty of the desert sun rising up from behind the dunes. Your body might tell you otherwise, but this is a sight you should not miss!

The camps serve breakfast shortly after sunrise. And after, the guests make their way back on camel back to their various hotels and the tour comes to an end.

Marrakech to Merzouga: Itinerary

If you are in the process of planning your trip, here’s the itinerary we followed. Feel free to adjust and switch out stops based on your time and preference.

  • Day 1: Drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. Stay overnight. Total drive time is about 4 hours.
  • Day 2: Visit the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou and then drive to Todra Gorge. Stay overnight at Todra Gorge: Total drive time is about 3 hours. You may also choose to visit Dades Gorge instead*
  • Day 3: Explore Todra Gorge and drive to Merzouga. Total drive time is about 3 hours.
  • Day 4: Morning dune bashing, Evening Sahara Desert trek
  • Day 5: Leave Merzouga (onward to Midelt and Fez)

10 Tips to Enjoy a Beautiful Night Camping in the Sahara Desert

  1. Book your trip (before getting to Merzouga) with a trusted operator. Several operators are on Trip Advisor. It makes sense to check them out and read reviews from other travellers.
  2. Allow enough time to rest after your road trip before your desert experience.
  3. Have realistic expectations for your accommodation.
  4. Leave your heavy luggage at the hotel and pack a small overnight bag with only your essential items.
  5. What to wear for the camel ride: comfortable pants and closed shoes (only 1 is enough, trust me!), a fleece or jacket and a scarf. PS: our guide gave us scarves for the ride and for keeps. So you can ask for one before your trip to the desert. And when it comes to tops, think layers.
  6. What to pack for an overnight stay: Nights in the desert can be very cold. I’d recommend packing a pair of thick socks, gloves, comfortable pants (preferably sweat pants or thermal leggings as I find jean pants to be extremely uncomfortable against my skin during cold weather). Also include basic toiletries.
  7. Food and Drinks: There’s no need to pack snacks. Food during the tour is actually quite good and the guides ensure you have enough water to stay hydrated.
  8. Charge your devices before leaving. Many tents do not have outlets.
  9. Stargazing in the desert is spectacular, so don’t rush off to bed.
  10. Sunsets and Sunrises in the desert are magical moments. Try not to miss them!

4 comments

  1. It’s amazing to hear good things about my country, glad to hear that you enjoyed it

  2. Those pictures in the desert belong in a magazine for real. Super cool that you both made it your own self planned road trip!

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
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This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
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Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
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Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
5 days ago
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An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
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Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
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Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan!

Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below!

Happy Travels!
Your Japan trip planning doesn't have to be so overwhelming! Here's a guide to help spread out the timeline for a stress-free holiday to Japan! Let me know if you found this helpful in the comment section below! Happy Travels!
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This lodge is the perfect place to start or end your trip to Namibia. It was certainly a highlight of ours! 💙

📍Voigtland Guesthouse 🇳🇦 Would you stay here?
This lodge is the perfect place to start or end your trip to Namibia. It was certainly a highlight of ours! 💙 📍Voigtland Guesthouse 🇳🇦 Would you stay here?
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Dreaming of visiting Hong Kong? 🇭🇰 If so, you're in luck because the visa application is one of the easiest (and cheapest) out there for Nigerian passport holders.⁣
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💬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤" for a step-by-step guide, and I'll share all the details with you via DM! 🛫📨⁣
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𝗪𝐡𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠?: I first learned how easy the application process was via @travelletters_ ⁣
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Then I found out that I could save 💸💸💸 if I rerouted my flights to East Asia through HK. Plus, this is a new destination for me anyway, so win-win! 🏆⁣
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𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 4-6 weeks. So apply early!⁣
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Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below!
Dreaming of visiting Hong Kong? 🇭🇰 If so, you're in luck because the visa application is one of the easiest (and cheapest) out there for Nigerian passport holders.⁣ ⁣ 💬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤" for a step-by-step guide, and I'll share all the details with you via DM! 🛫📨⁣ ⁣ 𝗪𝐡𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠?: I first learned how easy the application process was via @travelletters_ ⁣ ⁣ Then I found out that I could save 💸💸💸 if I rerouted my flights to East Asia through HK. Plus, this is a new destination for me anyway, so win-win! 🏆⁣ ⁣ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲: Visit the Gov.HK - comment "Hong Kong" and I'll share this directly to your DM 📩⁣ ⁣ 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 4-6 weeks. So apply early!⁣ ⁣ 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐬: Ordinary visa $230 HKD, which = ~$30 USD. For a transit visa, it's only $120 HKD⁣ ⁣ Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below!
2 months ago
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