Overnight Camel Ride in Merzouga and Night in a Desert Camp

Our overnight camel ride in Merzouga starts in this desert town in the south-east of Morocco, which has the blocky, terracotta-colored buildings so common in this part of the world, and borders one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Merzouga lies on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a monumental series of sand dunes that reach heights of 160 meters, a huge stretch of sand dunes south of town. It’s an amazing sight, especially as the dunes change color in the setting sun from shades of gold to orange, pink and purple. The biggest reason why tourists come to Morocco is to visit the Sahara desert. Riding on a dromedary and sleeping under the stars on the desert will make you feel like you are in some kind of fairytale movie. There is nothing more romantic than watching the sunset on the Sahara.

Dreamy shots of girls running through sand dunes in colorful dresses, groups of camels walking atop a sand dune with the sun setting in the background, luxurious tented camps laid out as if it’s a Vogue photo-shoot. You have seen the beautiful pictures all over your social media feed and have decided to spend the night in the Moroccan desert, so if you’re planning to visit Morocco, there’s one experience that stands out from all the rest, a night in the Sahara cozily nestled between sand dunes while looking at the stars. Spending a night under the stars in the Sahara Desert is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you’re unlikely to experience anywhere else in the world.

The ride to camp takes about an hour, and you ride back again at sunrise early the next morning. Our overnight camel ride in Merzouga starts around 16:00, about two hours before sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Each guest gets their own camel, and a local guide walks with the caravan the whole way.

They can be, if the camels are healthy, rested and carry only one adult rider at a time. On every camel ride Merzouga guests book with us, each rider gets one camel at a calm pace. Tell your guide if a camel looks tired or hurt, and you can walk part of the way instead.

Camels are strong animals that carry loads well, so a short ride with one adult rider is not painful. Problems start with poor saddles, heavy loads or long days, which good camps and handlers avoid with care. Our overnight camel ride in Merzouga uses short rides of about an hour each way to the desert camp.

Yes, Merzouga is generally safe, and local camps and guides watch over their guests through the whole night. The main risks are heat, sun and getting lost, so never walk far into the dunes alone at night. On our overnight camel ride in Merzouga, a guide stays with you from hotel pickup until drop off.

The trip includes hotel pickup and drop off in Merzouga, an experienced local guide and a sunset and sunrise camel trek with one camel for each guest. You also get Berber drum music, sandboarding and a night in a comfortable upgraded tent with dinner and breakfast, so you only need to bring personal items and a camera.

Pack a warm jacket, since nights in the dunes can be cold even after a hot day, plus a scarf to protect your face from sun and sand. Bring a small backpack with water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a torch. Large suitcases can stay at your hotel in Merzouga, so travel light for the camel ride.

Yes, children of most ages can join, and many families enjoy the ride together. Young children can share a camel with a parent, and the guide keeps a slow and steady pace on the way to camp. Tell us their ages when you book, so we can plan the right camels, tents and meals for your family.

Spring and autumn offer the best weather, with warm days and pleasant nights for sitting by the fire. Winter brings cold nights but very clear skies full of stars, while summer days are hot, so rides start late in the afternoon. Our Merzouga desert camp welcomes guests all year with dinner, music and breakfast included.