Quick answer: A night in a Merzouga desert camp means a 1–1.5 hour camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, a Berber tent with real beds, a traditional dinner, drums around the fire and a sunrise over the Sahara. Luxury camps add private bathrooms, electricity and hot showers; standard camps share facilities.
Sleeping in the Sahara is the highlight of most trips to Morocco. But what is a Merzouga desert camp really like? Here is an honest description from our team, who organise nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes all year round.
Arrival and camel trek
You reach the edge of the dunes in the late afternoon. Leave your main luggage in the car or at a guesthouse and take a small backpack. A camel guide leads the caravan for about 1 to 1.5 hours across the dunes to the camp, timed so that you watch the sunset from a high dune. Prefer not to ride? A 4×4 transfer is possible.
The tents
Camps are made of Berber-style tents built with wool, carpets and wooden frames, arranged around a central courtyard. Inside you find real beds with thick blankets – not sleeping bags on the sand.
Standard vs luxury camps
| Standard camp | Luxury camp | |
|---|---|---|
| Beds | Real beds, blankets | King or twin beds, quality linen |
| Bathroom | Shared toilets and showers | Private en-suite with hot shower |
| Electricity | Limited / solar lights | Sockets in the tent |
| Dinner | Tajine, soup, fruit | Multi-course menu, sometimes wine |
| Best for | Adventure, budget | Couples, families, comfort |
Dinner and evening
Expect Moroccan soup, bread, a chicken or vegetable tajine, fruit and mint tea. After dinner, the staff play Berber drums around the fire. Then switch off your torch: the Sahara sky is one of the darkest in North Africa and the Milky Way is visible on clear nights.
Sunrise and the way back
Wake up around 30–45 minutes before sunrise, climb a dune and watch the sand turn from purple to gold. After breakfast, you return by camel or 4×4 and continue your trip.
What to pack for one night
- Warm layer or down jacket (nights are cold from November to March).
- Head torch, power bank, wet wipes.
- Scarf or chech against sand, sunglasses, sunscreen.
- Sandals for the dunes.
More in what to wear in Morocco.
Which tour includes the best camp?
All our desert tours can be booked with a standard or luxury camp: the 4-day desert tour from Marrakech, the 5-day desert tour with two desert nights or the short 2-day tour from Fez to Merzouga. Not sure between Merzouga and Zagora? Read Merzouga vs Zagora.
Tours related to this guide
- 4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
- 5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
- 2-Day Tour from Fez to the Merzouga Desert
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cold at night in the Merzouga desert?
From November to March nights can drop to 0–5°C. Camps provide thick blankets, and a warm jacket is recommended. Summer nights are warm.
Do desert camps in Merzouga have toilets and showers?
Yes. Standard camps have shared toilets and showers; luxury camps have private en-suite bathrooms with hot water.
How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?
Usually 1 to 1.5 hours each way. A 4×4 transfer is available for those who prefer not to ride.
Is there Wi-Fi or electricity in the desert camp?
Most luxury camps have electricity in the tents; standard camps use solar lighting. Mobile signal is often available, Wi-Fi rarely.
Written by the Todo Marruecos Tours travel team, local tour operators based in Morocco. Last updated: September 2026.