For many travelers, Sahara desert Morocco camping is the moment the whole trip is built around: a camel ride into the dunes, dinner under the stars and a sunrise over a sea of orange sand. Yet the word “camp” covers a huge range, from simple Berber tents with shared toilets to air-conditioned suites with rain showers.
Everything else you need for the dunes is in our Merzouga desert guide.
Our team in Marrakech books nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga all year, and we visit the camps we work with regularly. This guide explains the real differences between camp types, what a night actually looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.
Quick answer: Merzouga offers three broad levels of desert camp. Standard camps have simple tents, beds and shared or basic bathrooms. Luxury camps add en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, electricity and more refined food. “Glamping” is usually a marketing term for the luxury tier, sometimes with domes or panoramic tents.
Sahara desert Morocco camping: the three camp types
Camps in Erg Chebbi sit among the dunes, typically a camel ride of about an hour or a short 4×4 drive from the edge of Merzouga or Hassilabied. Most operate under local licensing, and many are run by families from the area’s Amazigh and Saharan communities.
| Standard camp | Luxury camp | Glamping / premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent | Traditional wool or canvas tent, simple beds | Large furnished tent, proper mattresses, rugs | Large suite, dome or panoramic tent, designer interiors |
| Bathroom | Shared block, or basic private toilet in newer camps | Private en-suite, flush toilet, hot shower | En-suite, often with larger rain showers and quality toiletries |
| Electricity | Limited, often solar lighting only | Lights and charging points | Full power; some offer heating or air-conditioning |
| Food | Set Moroccan dinner and breakfast | Multi-course dinner, more choice | Refined menus, private dining options |
| Typical price | Around 40 to 80 EUR per person, often including camel ride, dinner and breakfast | Around 150 to 300 EUR per tent for two, half board | Typically 300 EUR and up per tent |
Prices vary with season, transport and what is included, so treat these as rough ranges. Late December, the New Year and Easter are the most expensive and the most likely to sell out.
What a night in a desert camp looks like
Late afternoon: arrival and camel ride
You usually arrive at a riad or hotel on the edge of the dunes in the afternoon, leave your large luggage there, and set off by dromedary about one to two hours before sunset with a local camel guide. Pack a small overnight bag: toothbrush, warm layer, headlamp, phone charger and medication.
Sunset and mint tea
Most caravans stop on a high dune to watch the sun go down, then reach camp at dusk. Mint tea, poured from a height in the traditional way, is served on arrival while you settle into your tent.
Dinner and music
Dinner is typically harira or vegetable soup, fresh bread, salads and a tagine of chicken, lamb or vegetables, followed by fruit. Many camps also prepare madfouna, sometimes called Berber pizza, a flatbread stuffed with spiced meat and baked in the sand. Afterward, the staff often play drums around the fire and sing traditional songs, and everyone is invited to join in.
Stars and silence
Away from city lights, the Milky Way is clearly visible on moonless nights. Check the moon calendar if stargazing matters to you; a full moon is beautiful over the dunes but washes out the stars.
Sunrise and breakfast
Wake around 6 or 7 a.m., depending on the season, and climb a dune for sunrise. Breakfast of bread, msemen pancakes, eggs, jams and coffee or tea follows, then you ride or drive back to the village to shower and continue your journey.
Bathrooms, showers and electricity
This is where the camp types differ most, and it is the first question our guests ask.
- Standard camps usually have a shared toilet and shower block, and water is brought in by truck, so showers can be short or lukewarm. Some newer standard camps have small private bathrooms; ask before booking.
- Luxury camps have private en-suite bathrooms in each tent with flush toilets, sinks and hot showers.
- Power in many camps comes from solar panels and batteries, so it can be limited at night. Bring a power bank, and do not count on Wi-Fi, though mobile data often works on the dunes.
- Water is precious in the desert. Even in luxury camps, short showers are appreciated, and bottled water is provided for drinking.
Cold nights and hot days: comfort through the seasons
Desert temperatures swing widely. From December to February, nights in the dunes can approach freezing, while summer days often pass 40°C (104°F).
- Winter: every camp provides thick blankets. Luxury camps often add heaters or electric blankets. Bring a warm jacket, hat and thermal layers for the evening fire and sunrise.
- Summer: standard tents can be warm until late evening. Some luxury tents have air-conditioning, and many guests drag mattresses outside to sleep under the stars.
- Spring: windy afternoons can lift sand. Camps are sheltered, but keep a scarf handy and close your tent and bags.
For a full seasonal breakdown, see our guide to the best desert activities in Merzouga, which explains what works in each month.
How to choose the right Merzouga desert camp
- Decide on bathrooms first. If a private toilet and hot shower matter to you, choose luxury. It is the single biggest difference in comfort.
- Ask how you reach the camp. Camel only, 4×4 only, or a choice? Guests with mobility issues or young children often prefer the 4×4.
- Check the location. Deeper camps feel more remote; camps near the edge of the dunes are quicker to reach and can have more light pollution.
- Ask about tent size and spacing. Some camps have a few tents, others many. Smaller camps feel more intimate.
- Confirm what is included. Camel ride, dinner, breakfast, drinks, sandboarding and transfers vary by camp.
- Ask about dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy with notice; complex allergies need to be discussed in advance.
Is a luxury camp worth it?
For most couples and families, yes, if the budget allows. The private bathroom, real mattress and warmth in winter make the night far more restful, and you still get the same dunes, sunset and stars. Backpackers and adventurous travelers often love standard camps for their simplicity and atmosphere.
Merzouga or Zagora: where to camp
Merzouga is not the only place for Sahara desert Morocco camping, but it is the one we recommend most often. The Erg Chebbi dunes are tall, golden and easy to reach on a good paved road, and the choice of camps is the widest in the country.
- Merzouga (Erg Chebbi): the most dramatic dunes in Morocco, rising to around 150 meters, with every level of camp from budget to premium.
- Zagora: closer to Marrakech for one-night trips, but the dunes nearby are small and the setting is more rocky desert than sand sea.
- Erg Chigaga (via M’Hamid): remote, wild and quiet, reached by a long off-road drive. Fewer camps, a real sense of adventure, but more time in the vehicle.
What to pack for one night in camp
- A small backpack or soft bag you can carry on a camel
- A warm layer, even in summer, plus a hat and scarf
- Headlamp, power bank, wet wipes and any medication
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for the ride out and sunrise
- Cash in dirhams for tips for your camel guide and camp staff
Safety and responsible desert camping
- Book through an established operator or directly with a camp that has clear reviews and a fixed address, and avoid unsolicited offers from touts in Rissani or on the road.
- Drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and follow your camel guide’s instructions when mounting and dismounting.
- Take all your rubbish back out of the dunes, and avoid using drones near camps without permission; Morocco restricts drone use, and they are often confiscated at customs.
- Read current advice from the UK government’s Morocco travel advice or Australia’s Smartraveller page for Morocco before you travel.
The official Morocco tourism website also has background on the Drâa-Tafilalet region if you want to explore beyond the dunes.
Plan your trip with a local team
Many of our private Morocco tour packages include at least one desert night. We match every guest to a camp that suits their comfort level, budget and travel style, and we only work with camps we know personally. Try a short desert escape with our 3-day Merzouga desert tour from Fes, or upgrade to a premium tent on the 8-day luxury desert tour from Casablanca. When you are ready, book your desert camp night with our team and we will reserve the right tent for your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a night in a Sahara desert camp cost?
In Merzouga, a standard camp night typically costs around 40 to 80 EUR per person including the camel ride, dinner and breakfast. Luxury camps usually range from about 150 to 300 EUR per tent for two people with half board, and premium glamping can cost more. Prices rise around Christmas, the New Year and Easter.
Do Sahara desert camps in Morocco have toilets and showers?
Yes. Standard camps usually have shared toilet and shower facilities, sometimes with limited hot water because supplies are trucked in. Luxury camps have private en-suite bathrooms in every tent, with flush toilets and hot showers. Ask your operator exactly which facilities are included before you book, as standards vary between camps.
Is it cold sleeping in the Sahara desert?
It can be. From December to February, nighttime temperatures in Merzouga average around 4 to 5°C (39 to 41°F) and the dunes can feel colder, close to freezing before dawn. Camps supply thick blankets, and many luxury tents add heaters. From May to September, nights are mild to warm.
Is one night in the Sahara enough?
One night gives you the essentials: a sunset camel ride, dinner, music, stars and sunrise. Two nights let you slow down, explore the area around Merzouga, visit Khamlia village or try sandboarding without rushing. If the desert is a major reason for your trip, we generally recommend two nights.