A Night in a Sahara Desert Camp | Morocco Extra Tours

By Sabir, Morocco Extra Tours. I have guided and driven travellers through southern Morocco since 2004.

Quick answer: A night in a Sahara desert camp usually starts with a camel ride into the dunes in the late afternoon, followed by sunset, mint tea, a Moroccan dinner, music around the fire and a cold, starry night in a tent. You wake up early for sunrise on the dunes, then leave by 4x4 or camel. What you get depends mostly on your camp: luxury or standard.

For most of my guests, the night in the desert is the moment they remember for years. Here is what really happens, what to choose, and the mistakes I see every season.

How the night goes, step by step

Desert camp tents glowing under a starry night sky in the Sahara

Arrive on time for sunset. Desert days are planned around the sunset. A long lunch on the road is the most common reason guests arrive late.
Camel ride into the dunes. You leave your car at the edge of the desert and ride a camel to the camp. The first time guests see the dunes, they are stunned, above all when the camels walk next to the dunes. That is when every camera comes out.
Sunset on the dunes. Climb a dune near the camp and watch the colours change.
Tea, dinner and the fire. Mint tea when you arrive, then a Moroccan dinner, and music around the fire in the evening.
A cold night under the stars. Far from any city, the sky is full of stars. Even after a hot day, the night is cold.
Sunrise and departure. Wake up early for the sunrise, have breakfast, then leave. Most guests ride the camel one way and take a 4x4 the other way: riding both ways is too tiring.

Luxury camp or standard camp?

Luxury desert camp with lanterns and carpets at sunset

In both Merzouga and M'Hamid, the camp depends on your budget.

Luxury camp: a spacious tent with air conditioning, a private toilet and shower inside the tent, and excellent food. The price is higher.
Standard camp: a simple tent without air conditioning, a shared toilet and shower outside the tent, and average food. The price is affordable.

If comfort matters to you, or you travel with children, the luxury camp is worth it. If you mainly want the experience and a fair price, a good standard camp is fine.

What disappoints travellers

Inside a luxury tent with a double bed in a Sahara desert camp

After many years in the desert, these are the complaints I hear most:

paying for a luxury camp and getting poor service;
asking for vegetarian food and being served meat;
having an allergy and being served the very thing they cannot eat;
finding a camp that does not look like the photos.

The solution is simple: tell your driver or agency about any diet or allergy before the trip, and book with a local operator who knows the camp personally.

A local dish to try: medfouna

Near Merzouga, ask about medfouna, the stuffed "buried" bread of the Rissani region. I order it in advance from specialists in Rissani for my guests, adapted to their diet. Most travellers have never heard of it, and they love it.

What to wear and pack

Long trousers for the camel. In shorts, the constant rubbing hurts your legs.
Warm clothes. Mornings and nights in the desert are cold, even when the day was hot.
A scarf. Useful against sun, wind and sand.
Cash. For tips and small purchases; there is no ATM in the dunes.

Tipping in the desert

Camel driver: around 50 to 100 MAD.
4x4 driver: around 50 to 100 MAD.
Camp staff: use the tip box at the camp. The staff share it at the end of the month.

A story from the road

Berber musicians playing drums at night in a Sahara desert camp

One evening near M'Hamid, in Erg Lihoudi, I was driving two Japanese guests to the Caravane du Sud camp when a sandstorm started. I missed the turn to the camp and drove deeper into the desert. We searched for about two hours until a man leading camels showed us the way. My guests loved the landscape and told me it was a nice experience to get lost in the desert. I told them we were lucky. In the desert, never drive without an experienced local driver, never leave the car in a sandstorm, and always carry water and food.

FAQ

Is a night in a desert camp safe?

Yes, with a good camp and an experienced driver. The real risks are weather and getting lost, which is why the deep desert is not a place to drive on your own.

Is it cold at night?

Yes. Bring warm clothes, even in summer.

Do I have to ride a camel?

No. A 4x4 can take you to the camp. Many guests ride the camel one way and take the 4x4 the other way.

Merzouga or M'Hamid for the camp?

Merzouga has the highest dunes and the most camps. M'Hamid and Erg Chegaga are wilder and quieter. Read our Merzouga vs Chegaga comparison.

Sleep in the Sahara with a local driver

Planning the whole trip? Read our complete guide to a desert trip from Marrakech.