Not all desert camps and tours in Morocco live up to the expectations you might have, which is why this guide is here: to make sure your once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Sahara is everything you dreamed, and more. Ahead, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from learning where Morocco’s true desert camps are and finding the camp that fits your budget to deciding whether to book a multi-day guided tour or get yourself to the desert independently. Read on for our road-tested tips on experiencing the Moroccan Sahara.
Choose Your Dunes: Erg Chebbi vs. Erg Chigaga
If a star-studded sky and being surrounded by infinite sand dunes is your vision for what an overnight in the Sahara Desert of Morocco should be, then there are really only two choices: Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, or Erg Chigaga near M’hamid in the Zagora province of Morocco.
Erg Chebbi is one of the most famous desert destinations in Morocco, with some of its dunes rising as high as 500 feet. It’s also the most accessible of Morocco’s desert destinations, with paved roads and public transport options to it from Marrakech, Meknes, and Fes. The benefit of choosing Erg Chebbi over Erg Chigaga is its proximity to the small, but well-equipped desert town of Merzouga. There, you’ll find long-distance buses, experienced tour operators, and last-minute supplies—making it an easy and hassle-free option for those who want the Sahara experience without the rugged expedition angle.
If rugged and off-the-beaten-track is exactly what you’re aiming for, Erg Chigaga is the better choice. Its remoteness and 4×4-only access means fewer tourists, making it feel more like an expedition than a typical tour or simple overnight. It’s a far more authentic experience, too. Its dreamy sea of dunes and limited dusting of desert camps lies about 100 miles beyond Zagora, with the last 40 miles requiring 4×4 off-road transport from M’hamid, Erg Chigaga’s less developed version of Merzouga.
Decide How to Get There: Guided Tour vs Do-It-Yourself
Your next big decision is how to reach your desert destination: Should you go independently by private car or public transport, or book a multi-day, all-inclusive guided tour from Marrakech or Fes? Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, depending on your budget and travel style.
Going independently by bus or rental car gives you full control over your experience. You choose your desert camp, your stops along the way, and how long you stay. It can also make a luxury desert camp more affordable, since you’re only paying for the stay itself, not a package tour. Just keep in mind that public transport or driving can only take you as far as Merzouga (for Erg Chebbi) or M’hamid (for Erg Chigaga). From there, you’ll need to arrange a 4×4 transfer or camel trek to reach your actual desert camp. Some camps include this in the price of your stay, so be sure to ask when booking.
A guided tour, on the other hand, offers a stress-free, all-inclusive experience, and usually at a reasonable price. Many travelers opt for a 3- or 4-day tour from Marrakech or Fes to Merzouga or Erg Chigaga, which includes transport, meals, guides, stopovers along the way, and a desert camp stay. The biggest drawback? There’s a lot less flexibility. You won’t have full control over the itinerary or where you stay overnight. Budget tours, in particular, don’t always guarantee that you’ll be sleeping among the high dunes—a disappointing turn of events after such a long journey.
Luxury vs Budget Desert Camps
Whether you travel to the Sahara Desert independently or via a guided tour, your next and final decision will be which type of desert camp to book: the luxury option or the budget-friendly choice. The camp you choose will dramatically shape your desert experience.
Choosing the budget option means simpler accommodations: shared tents, basic bedding (think blankets and a mattress on the sand), no electricity, shared bathrooms, and potentially a bucket shower, if you’re lucky. If you book a budget tour from Marrakech or Fes, there’s even a chance your camp will be located closer to the village than the dunes.
Alongside the more basic setup, budget camps typically include simple meals, Amazigh (Berber) entertainment, and a short camel trek or 4×4 experience to get you out to the camp. Expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $70 per night, depending on the tour and location.
For those willing to splurge a little more, luxury desert camps usually guarantee a more immersive, richer experience. Here, you’ll stay in private tents equipped with flush toilets, hot showers, real beds with high-quality linens, and sometimes even working Wi-Fi. These camps are typically farther into the dunes, offering peace and privacy away from other tourists.
At the luxury desert camps, you can expect a higher level of service, with multi-course meals, sandboarding equipment, yoga mats, and a more remote setting. Most luxury camps also include a camel or 4×4 arrival, as well as Amazigh entertainment around the campfire at night. Prices for a luxury desert camp can range from $100 to $450+ per night, depending on the exclusivity and amenities offered.
Recommended Desert Camps & Customizable Tours
For a desert experience that lives up to your dreams, consider staying at one of these recommended desert camps:
Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)
- Desert Berber Fire Camp: A nice choice for a budget desert camp that’s truly in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Aladdin Merzouga Camp: Offers a more affordable luxury desert camp experience with excellent hospitality
- Camp Sakura Desert Dream: A proper luxurious option for a serene night under the stars in Erg Chebbi
Erg Chigaga (M’hamid)
- Chegaga Berber Camps: The top budget-friendly desert camp in Erg Chigaga, with great food and nothing but dunes to surround you
- Umnya Dune Camp: Perfect for those seeking an intimate and remote luxury desert experience
Both Locations
- Desert Luxury Camp: With camps in both Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, Desert Luxury Camp offers a premium desert stay in either location, plus options for standard luxury tents or dome tents
For Moroccan Sahara tours that leave room for more personalization, these trusted local operators are highly recommended:
- Todra Travel: Specializes in personalized guided tours to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi or the option to work a desert camp experience into a greater itinerary through Morocco
- Said’s Private Tours: Said is an Amazigh guide with deep desert roots who offers personalized, local tours from Marrakech and authentic Sahara experiences that tap into his local contacts and desert upbringing
