--- title: Merzouga desert tours FAQ: camel treks, camps & Sahara trips url: https://merzougaonlinetours.com/faq/ description: 50 straight answers about Merzouga and Erg Chebbi: camel rides, desert camps, getting there, weather, safety, food, prices, booking and what to pack. --- # Questions & answers 50 honest answers about camel treks, our desert camp, getting to Merzouga, the weather and booking. Can't find yours? Ask us. ## Topics - Camel rides 7 - Our desert camp 7 - Getting to Merzouga 7 - Weather & best time to visit 4 - Tours from Marrakech & Fes 5 - Safety & health 4 - Food & drink 3 - Prices, booking & payment 6 - Packing & practical tips 4 - Families & accessibility 3 [Ask your question](https://merzougaonlinetours.com/contact/) ## Camel rides What riding a dromedary into Erg Chebbi is really like. **How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?** About 1 to 1.5 hours each way at a slow walking pace, with a stop on a dune to watch the sunset. The exact time depends on where the camp is that season and on how fast your group wants to go. **Is riding a camel comfortable?** It is a slow, rolling ride, a bit like a boat. The saddle is padded with blankets and you hold a metal handle in front of you. Most people are fine for an hour; after that your legs and back may feel it. Lean back when the camel stands up and kneels down, and the guide will tell you when. **Do I need any experience to ride a camel?** No. Your guide walks in front holding the rope of the first camel, and the others follow in a line. You don't steer. **Is there a weight or age limit for camel rides?** Young children ride with a parent or on their own camel with the guide holding it. For adults, tell us before you book if you have back or hip problems, are pregnant or are worried about your weight: we'll suggest walking alongside, a shorter ride, or reaching camp by 4x4. **Can I walk instead of riding?** Yes. Many guests walk part of the way, which is lovely at sunset when the sand is cool. You can also go to camp by 4x4 and still watch the sunset from a dune. **How are the camels treated?** The camels belong to families in Merzouga and are their livelihood. They walk at their own pace, carry one rider each and are led on foot by their handler. If anything about an animal's care worries you during your trip, tell us straight away. **Sunset or sunrise ride: which is better?** Sunset is the classic, with warm light and the ride ending at camp. Sunrise is quieter and the light is just as beautiful; on an overnight trip you get both. In summer we recommend the very early morning or late afternoon, never midday. ## Our desert camp Where you sleep in the dunes. **What is the difference between a standard and a luxury tent?** Both are in the same camp with the same food, fire and view. Standard Berber tents have real beds, blankets and solar lighting, with shared toilets and showers a few steps away. Luxury tents are bigger, with quality linen, sockets and a private bathroom with hot shower and flushing toilet. **Will we share a tent with other travelers?** No. Every group, even a solo traveler, gets their own tent. Dinner is in the main tent, where you may meet other guests, or at your own table if you prefer. **Is there electricity, Wi-Fi and phone signal at the camp?** The camp runs on solar power: there is light in every tent and a place to charge phones (luxury tents have sockets). Mobile signal comes and goes in the dunes, and there is no Wi-Fi to speak of, which most guests end up enjoying. **Are there toilets and showers in the desert?** Yes. Standard tents share clean flushing toilets and showers; luxury tents have their own bathroom. Water is brought in by truck, so please keep showers short. **Is it cold at night in the desert?** Desert nights are cool all year and cold from November to February, close to freezing in December and January. Every bed has thick blankets and we add more when needed, but bring a warm layer and a hat for the evening outside. **What happens to our big luggage during the camel trek?** Bring a small bag for the night. Your suitcases stay locked at our guesthouse in Merzouga, or travel to camp by 4x4 if you are in a luxury tent. If you arrive by car, you can park at the guesthouse. **Can we see the stars from the camp?** Yes, and it's one of the highlights. There are no town lights around the camp. On moonless nights you can see the Milky Way with your own eyes. Check the moon calendar if stars matter most to you: a full moon lights up the dunes beautifully but hides the faint stars. ## Getting to Merzouga **Where is Merzouga?** Merzouga is a village in south-east Morocco, in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, near the Algerian border. It sits at the western edge of Erg Chebbi, a sea of sand dunes about 22 km long, about 50 km south of Erfoud and 35 km south of Rissani. **How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?** About 560 km, or 9 to 10 hours of driving over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and through the Dades and Todra valleys. That's why tours from Marrakech take at least three days, with a night on the way. **How far is Merzouga from Fes?** About 470 km, or 7 to 8 hours of driving through the Middle Atlas, Midelt and the Ziz valley. A 3-day tour from Fes gives you time in the dunes without rushing. **Can I get to Merzouga by bus?** Yes. CTM and Supratours run buses to Merzouga, usually overnight from Fes or Marrakech, arriving early in the morning. Check the current timetables before you go, and tell us your arrival time so we can meet you at the bus stop. **What is the nearest airport to Merzouga?** Errachidia (Moulay Ali Cherif airport), about 130 km away or 2 hours by road, with flights from Casablanca. Ouarzazate airport is further, around 5 hours. We can pick you up at either. **Can I drive to Merzouga myself?** Yes. The road is paved all the way via Erfoud and Rissani. Drive in daylight, watch for animals and sand on the road near the dunes, and don't drive onto the sand without a 4x4 and a local driver. **Is a day trip to the Sahara from Marrakech possible?** Not to Merzouga: it's too far. Day trips from Marrakech go to the stony Agafay desert, which has no big dunes. For real sand dunes you need at least three days, or two if you go to Zagora, where the dunes are much smaller. ## Weather & best time to visit **What is the best time to visit Merzouga?** March to May and October to November, with warm days and mild nights. December to February is sunny but cold at night. June to August is very hot, often above 40 °C, so camel rides happen at sunrise and sunset only. **Can I visit the Sahara in summer?** Yes, if you plan for the heat. We start camel rides late in the afternoon, rest in the shade at midday, and nights at camp are warm and pleasant. Drink plenty of water and wear a hat and a light scarf. **Does it rain in Merzouga?** Rarely. A few short storms a year, mostly in autumn or late summer. When it rains, we adapt the plan, and the dunes look and smell wonderful afterwards. **What about sandstorms?** Strong winds come a few days a year, most often in spring. A real sandstorm is unusual. If the wind is strong we may move the camel ride to a calmer hour; a scarf (chech) wrapped around your face makes a big difference. ## Tours from Marrakech & Fes **How many days do I need for a Sahara tour from Marrakech?** Three days is the minimum we recommend: two long driving days with a night in the dunes between them. Four or five days lets you slow down, see the gorges properly and spend more time in the desert. **Can I start in Marrakech and finish in Fes?** Yes. Our 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour crosses the desert one way, so you don't drive back the same road. The 4-day tour goes from Fes to Marrakech. **Are the multi-day tours private?** Yes, private by default: the vehicle, driver and guide are just for your group. If you are travelling alone and want to share costs, ask us about small shared departures. **What kind of vehicle do you use?** A comfortable air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan, depending on the size of your group, with an experienced driver who knows the mountain roads well. **Where do we sleep on the multi-day tours?** In clean, family-run hotels and kasbah guesthouses with private bathrooms, plus one or two nights at our desert camp. If you'd like more upmarket hotels, tell us and we'll adjust the price. ## Safety & health **Is Merzouga safe for tourists?** Yes. Merzouga is a small, quiet village that lives from tourism and welcomes many visitors every year. You are with our team from pick-up to drop-off, and someone from our team sleeps at the camp every night. **Is it safe for women travelling alone?** Yes. Many solo women travel with us. You have your own tent, and our guides are local people who are known in the village. As anywhere in Morocco, dressing modestly in villages makes things easier. **Do I need vaccinations or travel insurance?** No special vaccinations are required for Morocco, but check with your doctor. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical care and cancellation. **What about scorpions and snakes?** They live in the desert but are shy and rarely seen, especially in the cooler months. Shake out your shoes in the morning and use a torch at night, and you'll be fine. ## Food & drink **What do you eat at the desert camp?** Dinner usually starts with harira or vegetable soup and Moroccan salads, then a chicken, beef or vegetable tajine or couscous, then fruit. Breakfast is bread, msemmen pancakes, jam, honey, eggs, coffee and mint tea. **Can you cater for vegetarians, vegans or allergies?** Yes. Tell us when you book and our cooks will prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergy-friendly meals. Moroccan food is easy to adapt. **Is the water safe to drink?** Drink bottled water, which is always available at camp and in every village. Tap water is fine for brushing your teeth. ## Prices, booking & payment **How much does a Merzouga desert tour cost?** It depends on the tour, the season, the number of people and the tent you choose. Send us your plan with the form or on WhatsApp and we reply with one clear price that includes everything listed. There are no hidden extras at the camp. **How do I book?** Send us a booking request with the form on any tour page or on our contact page, or write on WhatsApp. We reply with availability and a price, and your booking is confirmed in writing once we agree on everything. **How far in advance should I book?** For spring, autumn, Easter and Christmas, book a few weeks ahead, especially for luxury tents. The rest of the year a few days is usually enough, and last-minute trips are often possible. **How do I pay?** How and when you pay (any deposit, the balance and the accepted payment methods) is set out in your written booking confirmation. Nothing is paid through this website. **What is your cancellation policy?** The cancellation conditions for your trip are set out in your written booking confirmation. If the weather or your safety makes a change necessary, we always look for a fair solution together. See our terms & conditions for details. **Should I tip?** Tips are never required but always appreciated by guides, drivers and the camp team. If you're happy, a tip in dirhams at the end of the trip is the usual way. ## Packing & practical tips **What should I pack for a night in the desert?** A small backpack with a warm layer, a scarf for wind and sun, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a head torch or phone light, a power bank, toilet paper or tissues, any medicine you need, and closed shoes or sandals you can walk on sand with. **What should I wear?** Loose, light clothes that cover shoulders and knees are the most comfortable in the sun and respectful in the villages. Long trousers are better than shorts on a camel. **Can I pay by card in Merzouga?** Small shops and cafés mostly take cash. There are cash machines in Rissani and Erfoud, so bring some dirhams with you for tips, drinks and souvenirs. **How do I protect my camera from sand?** Keep it in a bag when you're not shooting, avoid changing lenses in the wind, and bring a cloth and a blower. Phones are fine; just don't put them down on the sand. ## Families & accessibility **Is the desert trip good for children?** Children usually love it: camels, sand to slide down, a fire and the stars. For young children we suggest shorter rides, the sunset camel ride or a night at camp reached by 4x4, and simple food from our cooks. **Can elderly travelers or people with limited mobility come?** Yes. We can take you to camp by 4x4, choose a tent close to the main tent and the bathrooms, and skip the camel ride. Tell us what you need and we'll plan around it. **Can we celebrate a honeymoon, birthday or proposal in the desert?** Yes, and we love it. Ask for a luxury tent, a private dinner under the stars or a cake, and we'll arrange it. Tell us in advance so we can prepare. ## Still have a question? Write to us through the contact form or on WhatsApp. A real person from our team in Merzouga answers, usually within a few hours.