What are the best desert activities in Morocco?
Morocco has two main sand seas that travellers visit: Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and the smaller dunes around Zagora and M'Hamid. Erg Chebbi is where the dunes are highest, reaching around 150 metres in places, and where most Sahara desert activities are concentrated. A typical stay mixes slow, atmospheric experiences with a few hours of adrenaline.
| Activity | Typical length | Best time of day | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camel ride to camp | About 1 to 1.5 hours | Late afternoon, back at sunrise | Almost everyone |
| Quad biking (ATV) | 1 to 2 hours | Morning or late afternoon | Adults and older teenagers |
| Sandboarding | As long as your legs last | Late afternoon | Families, beginners |
| 4x4 excursion around Erg Chebbi | Half day | Morning | Culture and photography lovers |
| Stargazing at camp | Evening | After dinner, ideally near the new moon | Everyone |
If you are still choosing between deserts, our comparison of Merzouga vs Zagora explains the differences in dunes, drive times and atmosphere.
Camel trekking in the Sahara and a night in a desert camp
The camel ride is the activity most people picture when they think of the Moroccan Sahara. You leave the vehicle in Merzouga in the late afternoon, ride into Erg Chebbi in a small caravan led by a camel handler, and stop on a dune crest to watch the sunset before reaching camp. The next morning you climb a dune for sunrise and ride back for breakfast. Camel rides depend on camel availability that day; if none are free, you reach the camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride camels the next morning on the way back.
The night itself is an activity in its own right: mint tea on arrival, dinner in the camp, drumming around the fire and a sky full of stars. In the comfort camp each private tent, normally for two people, has its own bathroom and toilet, and a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. Read more in camel trekking in the Merzouga desert and a night in a Merzouga desert camp.
Please note that we do not organise multi-day wild bivouac treks: Erg Chebbi has many camps, so complete isolation cannot be guaranteed. For more time in the dunes, we suggest one night at a camp with a nomad village and one night at a comfort camp with hot shower and private tent.
Quad biking, sandboarding and other things to do in Merzouga
Quad biking in the Merzouga dunes
Quad biking is the most popular way to cover more ground in Erg Chebbi. A local guide leads the way, gives a safety briefing and keeps the pace comfortable, so no experience is needed. Wear sunglasses and a scarf or cheche over your mouth, as fine sand gets everywhere. See quad biking in the Merzouga dunes for how a ride works.
Sandboarding
Sandboarding is slower than snowboarding and the soft sand makes falls painless, which is why children love it. The hard part is walking back up the dune. Late afternoon, when the sand has cooled, is the best time.
4x4 excursion around Erg Chebbi
A half-day drive around the dunes can include the Gnawa village of Khamlia with its traditional music, a visit to a nomad family for tea, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji when there has been rain, and the market town of Rissani. It is the best option for travellers who want culture as well as scenery. Optional activities like this can be arranged locally; ask us when you plan your tour.
Best time for Sahara desert activities, season by season
- Spring (March to May): warm days and comfortable nights, ideal for every activity. Occasional sandstorms are possible in spring.
- Summer (June to August): afternoon temperatures often pass 40 °C. Camel rides and quad biking are planned for early morning and sunset, and air-conditioned tents are worth asking about.
- Autumn (September to November): clear skies and pleasant temperatures; many travellers consider it the most comfortable season.
- Winter (December to February): sunny days but cold nights, sometimes close to freezing. Stargazing is excellent, but bring warm layers.
For month-by-month advice for the whole country, read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
How to fit desert activities into a Morocco tour
Merzouga is a long way from the big cities, so desert activities are usually part of a multi-day private tour rather than a day trip. From Marrakech, the 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visits Aït Benhaddou and the Dadès and Todra Gorges, and includes the camel ride and camp night. From Fes, the 2 day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga reaches the dunes via Ifrane and Midelt.
If you want time for quad biking, sandboarding and a 4x4 excursion without rushing, add an extra night in the desert area. Tell us which activities interest you, your dates and your group size on WhatsApp or through the form, and we will build them into a private itinerary.