Morocco is a country filled with adventure and incredible beauty, whether you visit its colorful cities, explore its serene coastal regions, hike through the mountains in the highlands, or visit the Sahara desert.
The country’s geographic variety makes it possible for any traveler to find something that suits their taste.
Merzouga travel guide
Merzouga is a village in the Erg Chebbi dunes of Morocco. It is located in a region called Tafilalet and is famous for its camel trekking and sand boarding.
Merzouga has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world.
Unfortunately, not many people know about this place until recently due to its remoteness and lack of infrastructure.
The town has few attractions, but its location as a gateway to the Merzouga dunes and other nearby attractions makes it unique.
How to get from Marrakech to Merzouga
Taking a private taxi is the easiest way to reach Merzouga from Marrakech. The trip will take around 10 hours without stopping. In reality you will want to stop in to see various sights on the way, like Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. You may even stop overnight and break up the journey into two days.
How to get from Fes to Merzouga
CTM and Supratours offer bus connections between Meknes and Merzouga, so it will be necessary to travel from Fes to Meknes (about 1 hour by private taxi) and then get the bus from there.
If you’re traveling with luggage, be aware that there may not be space for your bags on board some buses.
In this case, it’s recommended hiring a private car and travel direct in comfort.
How to Merzouga from Ouarzazate
Merzouga is a small village in the Sahara Desert, located approximately 6 hours’ drive from Ouarzazate.
It is possible to get to Merzouga by bus. There are several companies, and there operate these services, including Supratours and CTM.
Camel tour and camping
For an authentic experience, you’ll want to book a camel tour in the desert.
The number of people on each tour is limited by how many camels are available, be sure to book early enough.
The best time for camel trekking is between mid-February and mid-April or October through December when daytime temperatures are milder.
What to do in Merzouga
Visit the Merzouga Dunes – The best way to see the desert is by camel.
You’ll be able to find many companies offering short trips, but make sure you get a reputable one with experienced guides who know how to navigate the dunes and avoid getting lost.
If you’re spending a night at a camp in the Erg Chebbi (sand sea), make sure your guide knows how to set up his camp safely so that no one gets hurt.
There are hotels located inside Merzouga village, which offer affordable accommodations, but most people opt to stay in a desert camp.
Morocco desert tours
A tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga (or vice-versa) is one of the most popular tours in Morocco. This tour allows you to explore the Morocco desert’s beauty and other unique attractions such as Erg Chebbi and Todra Gorge.
A visit to this tour will allow you to feel like a nomad and experience their lifestyle and activities.
These tours are available throughout the year, but due to this region’s warm climate conditions, it’s recommended to do your desert tour outside of the hot summer months.
Best time to visit Merzouga
The best months to visit Merzouga are from March to May and September to October. These months have the lowest rainfall, making it the ideal time for camel rides and sandboarding.
Merzouga weather and climate.
As a desert, Merzouga is hot throughout the year. The best time to visit is from April to October, as temperatures are mild during this time, and it’s not as humid.
You may experience a slight chill after sunset or in the early morning.
During summer (June–August), temperatures can soar up to 49°C (120°F). As such, it’s best to avoid this period.
In winter (December–February), temperatures drop significantly, especially at nighttime. Bring some warm clothes and blankets if you plan to stay overnight near the dunes this season so that you don’t wake up chilled in the morning.
Is Merzouga worth visiting?
Merzouga is a great place to visit. There are many reasons why it is worth visiting, but here are some of the highlights:
You can visit Merzouga with your friends or family. The best way to experience the Sahara desert is with the company.
You can go on a desert safari with your friend, share a camel ride, and stay in tents together under the stars at night.
You can also visit Merzouga with your partner for an unforgettable romantic getaway. The Sahara desert has an otherworldly beauty that will take your breath away (and even give you goosebumps).
Whether you want to explore amid camels and dunes or relax by a campfire and gaze at shooting stars overhead, there’s something special about spending time together in such an environment.
Erg Chebbi Merzouga
Erg Chebbi is a giant dune in Morocco and one of the world’s highest dunes.
There are many different activities that you can do here:
Take a camel ride to explore this fantastic landscape. You can walk through a unique area with beautiful rock formations and caves. The camel ride will take around 2 hours, but it’s worth it.
Go quad-biking on top of the dunes. This is a fantastic experience where you can drive your quad bike across these gigantic sand structures while exploring them at high speeds.
The tour lasts about 3 hours, so ensure you have enough time for this activity before booking your ticket.
Merzouga itinerary
A trip to the desert can be made in a single day, but a night or two is recommended if you want to spend some time getting lost in the dunes and enjoying the camel rides.
If you’re traveling alone, you’ll need a guide unless you have ample experience navigating the desert. Otherwise, it’s best to go with an organized tour group or your hotel’s recommended driver.
Is it expensive in Morocco?
The cost of traveling in Morocco depends on where you are in the country and what you’re doing.
However, if you’re traveling on a budget, staying within your means is possible by opting for local accommodation and eating at cheap restaurants as often as possible.
We’ve put together some tips that will help you save money while traveling in Morocco:
Hostels are your best friend.
They are cheaper than hotels or guesthouses but still provide a comfortable bed, clean sheets, pillows, and a private bathroom or shower facility (often shared).
You’ll need to pay extra for linen if staying overnight, though.
Look for traditional Moroccan restaurants rather than tourist spots when searching for somewhere cheap to eat at night.
The food there tends not only to be delicious but more reasonably priced than in other types of restaurants.
Be careful; they might not always have English menus available, so it might take some time before ordering your meal.
Best time of the year to come to Morocco
The best time to visit Morocco is from November to March, when it is still warm during the daytime but not too hot.
The winter months between December and February are also pleasant but slightly colder than other times of the year.
On the other hand, if you prefer warm temperatures, come during summer (June-September) when temperatures climb above 40 degrees Celsius.
Time to visit the Morocco desert.
Are you planning to visit Morocco? If yes, then you should know that the best time to travel in Morocco is from the end of spring to the end of autumn.
The Merzouga desert is a popular destination for many tourists and has become a must-visit place during your trip.
When journeying with family or friends, it’s best to plan your trip for November or April, when most people visit this area.
Does it rain in Merzouga?
The Merzouga Desert is one of the driest places, with only 2-3mm yearly rainfall. The temperature in the desert varies between 40°C (104°F) in summer and -2°C (28.4°F) in winter.