DesertEditorial pick · go independently
A night among the dunes of Erg Chebbi
Ride or walk into Morocco’s great sand sea at Merzouga, watch the sunset from a dune crest and sleep at a desert camp under the stars.
- Best timeOctober to April; avoid the summer heat, when some camps close.
- How it worksGo independently: nothing to book through MoroccanPlans.
Why go
Erg Chebbi is a sea of sand dunes on the edge of the Sahara near Merzouga, in south-eastern Morocco, where the tallest dunes rise to roughly 150 metres above the stony plain. It is one of the few places in the country where you can see a true erg, and it changes colour from gold to orange and red as the sun goes down.
The most memorable way to experience it is to spend a night: leave Merzouga in the late afternoon by camel or on foot, climb a dune for the sunset, then stay at one of the camps on the edge of the erg. The silence and the night sky, far from city lights, are what most visitors remember.
What to expect
Camps range from simple tents to comfortable ones with private bathrooms; what is included (camel ride, dinner, breakfast, transfers) varies a lot between providers. Nights are cold outside summer and very hot days are common from June to August.
Our advice
- Compare what each camp includes and agree on the price and the camel ride in advance.
- Bring warm layers for the night and a scarf against wind and sand.
- Climbing a dune is harder than it looks: take your time and carry water.
- Merzouga is a long drive from Marrakech or Fes; plan at least two nights in the region.
Advice from our editors, not official rules: check opening times and conditions locally.
Where it is
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Sources
The facts on this page were checked on 25 October 2026 against reputable sources, but not all against an official one: confirm practical details before you go.
- Erg Chebbi — Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026
Descriptions are our own words. Opening hours, prices and access can change: the official website is the reference.