Morocco desert tours: Zagora, Merzouga and Erg Chigaga

Morocco has three main dune areas that travellers visit: the Zagora dunes, Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and Erg Chigaga beyond M'Hamid. See how they differ, how we travel them and which tours reach each one.

When people say they want to see the Sahara in Morocco, they usually mean one of three places. Each is a different trip, so it helps to know the difference before you choose a tour.

The three desert areas

Area Nearest village How you get there Character
Zagora dunes Zagora Road south from Marrakech, then a camel ride at sunset The closest dunes; suits a short trip
Erg Chebbi Merzouga Paved road to the village, dunes rising to about 150 m next to it The most accessible; more camps; gorges on the way
Erg Chigaga M’Hamid Paved road to M’Hamid, then 4×4 or camel across open desert Remote and quiet; the desert our team knows best

Our desert tours

These are a selection. For every desert tour that starts in Marrakech, see desert tours from Marrakech; for longer rides on camelback, see camel trekking in Morocco.

Our base and our camps

Our office is in Tagounite, in the Draa Valley, on the road from Zagora to M’Hamid, and Erg Chigaga is the desert we know best. We run two camps of our own: Morocco Desert Camp, used as the first night on our camel treks and the 2 day Zagora tour, and the Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp.

What the desert is like through the year

The desert is hot in summer and cold at night in winter, so the season matters. Our season guide goes month by month, and A night in the Moroccan Sahara explains what a camp night involves and what to pack.

Ask for a route

Tell us your dates and group size through the quote form. If none of the tours fits, we build a customized trip.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best desert in Morocco?

It depends on what you value. Erg Chebbi, at Merzouga, is the easiest to reach, and its dunes rise to about 150 m. Erg Chigaga is more remote and quieter. The Zagora dunes are the closest to Marrakech. The comparison guide helps you decide.

Is the Moroccan Sahara safe to visit on a tour?

Our desert tours are guided and private, and the routes follow established roads and tracks. Conditions such as weather and heat vary by season, so we adapt the plan; ask us about your dates.

Can I combine the desert with the imperial cities?

Yes. The Marrakech to Fes tours cross the Sahara on the way, and the 11 and 15 day Grand Morocco tours include a desert night plus Fes, Chefchaouen and the coast.

Do you have your own camps?

Yes: Morocco Desert Camp and the Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp, each with its own website.

Long-tail questions

People also ask about morocco desert tours

What are the main desert destinations in Morocco?

Zagora, Merzouga with Erg Chebbi, and M'Hamid with Erg Chigaga.

How far is the Sahara from Marrakech?

It is a day on the road to reach Erg Chigaga or Erg Chebbi, which is why our tours are 2 to 6 days.

Is Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga better?

Erg Chebbi is easier to reach; Erg Chigaga is quieter. See the comparison guide.

Are the desert tours private?

Yes. Each is private, with your own driver and a night in a tent or hotel.

Sources and further reading

Plan your trip

Tell us your dates and group size. We reply with a route and a quote.

Every tour is private and every price is quoted for your group, so the quickest way to a number is to write to us. We answer during office hours (09:00–17:00, every day).

Questions first? Read the FAQ or see all the ways to contact us.

No payment is taken here. We reply with a route and a quote during office hours (09:00–17:00, every day).