Sahara Desert Camp, Morocco: What to Expect Glamping In The Sahara Desert in Morocco
Wondering what it’s like to experience a luxury Sahara desert tour from Marrakech and go desert camping in Morocco?
If so, then this luxury Sahara Desert camping guide is for you!
Discover everything you need to know about doing a Sahara Desert safari camp, from the best time to visit and how to get there, to what to pack and expect.
I guarantee your Morocco desert camping experience will leave you with memories to last a lifetime! Let’s go.
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Glamping In The Sahara Desert, Morocco: 3 Best Luxury Sahara Desert Camps
No time to read the whole article? No problem. Here are the overall best luxury Sahara Desert camps in Morocco.
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Overall Best Luxury Sahara Desert Camp
Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
✅ Hot showers and heating
✅ Restaurant with continental buffet style or African cuisine
✅ On-site tour desk
Tiziri Camp
✅ Each unit has a patio with sand dune views
✅ Wide range of activities including hiking, 4×4 tours and themed dinner nights
✅ Exclusive six-tent boutique camp
Amskou Camp
✅ Private balconies and patio with each unit
✅ Traditional live music and performances in the evening
✅ Wide range of tours via the on-site tour desk
Desert Camping in Morocco – Know Before You Go
Before you set off on your Sahara Desert camp in Morocco, here’s some useful information to help you make the most of your experience.
How Far Is the Sahara Desert From Marrakech?
The Sahara Desert is approximately 570 kilometres (354 miles) away from Marrakech. However, the journey from Marrakech to the desert can take several hours to a full day depending on the route and transportation options chosen.
Where’s the Best Place to Go Camping in the Sahara?
The best place to go camping in the Sahara is Merzouga, Morocco. Known for its golden dunes, it offers a unique and authentic desert camping experience.
What Are The Desert Camps In Sahara Like?
Unlike the traditional Riads in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira, the accommodations in the desert camp aren’t in a brick-and-mortar building. Camps range from basic right through to high-end with all mod cons such as wifi and air conditioning.
Because they are located in the desert in remote locations, they will have onsite restaurants and tour booking facilities. If you have a specific dietary need, make sure to tell the staff at the time of booking to ensure your diet can be catered for.
Getting to The Sahara
People coming to the Sahara usually come either from Fes or from Marrakech.
Merzouga is about 9 hours from Marrakech and 7.5 hours from Fes. It’s fairly isolated in Morocco – which makes sense, seeing as it is in the middle of the desert. You have to go by 4×4, so it’s easiest to go with an organised tour.
You can drive yourself to Merzouga but do that the roads wind and turn a lot. The route we took, went through the mountains. We just preferred to go on our own schedule and timing and make the stops that we wanted on the drive out.
If you don’t want to drive, then many people book a tour or hire a driver, which is a good option too!
Experience Luxury Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
On the very eastern edge of Morocco, almost to the border of Algeria, majestic sand dunes rising from the surrounding desert welcomed us to the start of the Sahara.
Here, nestled among the dunes, we found an experience of a lifetime staying in a luxury desert camp, enjoying the Berber culture, unique desert activities, and absolutely stunning natural beauty.
This was part of our trip to Morocco that I was most excited about, and boy, the Sahara really delivered.
Related Article: The Best 2 Days in Marrakech Itinerary, Morocco
Best Luxury Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
Are you looking for the best tour of the Sahara Desert? I’ve got you covered!
Here are my top recommendations:
Tips for Desert Camping in Morocco
Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your Sahara Desert camping experience.
- Dress for the weather: The Sahara can get very hot during the day and very cold at night. Make sure you pack appropriate clothes that you can layer on and off to adjust to the changing temperatures.
- Drink up: The desert is dry and you’ll lose a lot of water through sweating. Take a large refillable water bottle and make sure you drink plenty throughout the day.
- Shield yourself from the sun: Try to wear lightweight long-sleeved tops, or linen trousers to cover up. Also, use a high-factor sunscreen to protect your skin. Sunglasses are a must. It’s also worth taking a sarong to tie into a turban – the Berbers at the hotel taught me to do this with my scarf – this helps to keep sand out of your nose and mouth.
- Learn from the locals: The Sahara is home to many fascinating people, such as the Berbers and the Bedouins. They have a rich culture and history that they’re happy to share with you. Be respectful and curious, and you’ll have a great time learning from them.
- Enjoy the silence: The Sahara Desert is the perfect place to switch off and unwind. Turn off your phone, wireless headphones and laptops and use the experience as a digital detox.
Read Next: What to Wear in Morocco
What to Expect Glamping in the Sahara Desert, Morocco
We drove from Marrakech to Merzouga, the town on the edge of the dunes; the drive itself was an adventure – traversing mountains, seeing kasbahs, and exploring canyons. But as we left the Atlas Mountains, the scenery became more and more barren.
Soon we passed a few “camel crossing” signs on the road, which only helped to increase our excitement! You can easily plan this into your Morocco itinerary, and if you don’t want to drive, then book a tour directly from Marrakech.
Getting to Our Sahara Desert Accommodation
Finally, off in the distance – DUNES! The size and scale of the dunes were deceiving at first, but soon they dominated the horizon and we excitedly entered Merzouga and met up with our guides.
We did our desert stay with Desert Heart Luxury Camp and met at a hotel in town. We had the option to ride camels to camp (about 1.5 hours on a camel) or to go in by Jeep (20 minutes in the vehicle).
Well, the plan had been to take the camels in, but we arrived a little late and missed the window for that (cue major sad face!). All was not lost though, as they offered a sunrise camel trek as well. We gladly signed on for that! So, we rode into camp in a 4×4, which was truly a RIDE as we flew up and down and over the sand dunes!
Luxury Tent Camping in the Desert
The luxury desert camp itself was delightful – two rows of white tents, with a carpet and plant-lined walkway down the centre! There were little tables set in the sand all around the camp, where we were welcomed and offered a refreshing mint tea while we relaxed before being shown to our tents.
And WOW these tents really define glamping. Each tent had a real bed, carpets on the floor, a full bathroom (flush toilets, running water, a shower with hot water), plus really strong wifi.
Dinner was a phenomenal 4-course affair – salad, soup, tagine, and dessert – and was delicious.
Sahara Desert Night Sky
After lingering over dinner, we went out to the dunes to look at the stars.
And what stars they were! Oh, they were incredible! The sky was absolutely filled with stars, and the Milky Way was clearly visible, that wondrous tableau spreading across the sky. We laid out on the sand of the Sahara and just soaked it in. So beautiful, and honestly, humbling. Being able to see the stars like that is just good for the soul.
Sahara Camping Excursions
In the morning, we woke up before dawn and quickly got ready – it was time to meet our camels! As we dressed, we heard a unique snort just outside our tent!
We came outside about 45 minutes before sunrise and tied on our turbans (because you just have to wear a turban when you’re riding camels in the Sahara). And I must say, the novel experiences started right away as mounting a camel is quite the ride in its own right.
We rode our camels into the dunes, to a particularly tall ridge – the perfect place to watch the sunrise. As the sun rose over the mountains that divide Algeria from Morocco, we enjoyed a beautiful and surreal sight.
We arrived back in camp to one of the most impressive breakfast spreads I may have ever seen, including my absolute favourite: Moroccan crepes (like regular crepes, but flakier and a little crispier). I could eat those crepes with the local honey every morning of my life!
Most people choose to just do one night in the Sahara, but when you drive a whole 9 hours to get out there, we just felt like we needed to stay longer than 18 hours in the desert! So, we stayed a second day and night in the Sahara.
After breakfast, we had a really chill day around camp. We took a nap in our tent (late night looking at stars + getting up early for camels = naptime), went ATVing on the dunes, relaxed, and chatted with the Berber men running the camp.
The Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa and have their own culture and language separate from Arabic. The traditional desert nomad lifestyle is one that many Berbers practised, and some still do.
We also went into the dunes for sunset pictures – an incredible location to get some epic shots.
Second Night of Luxury Camping Sahara
That evening, the guys made a campfire and played Berber music around the fire – music heavy in drums and rhythmic beats. We all danced around the campfire as they played, everyone moving to the sounds of drums and bells.
That memory of music around the campfire, under the bright stars and surrounded by the sand of the Sahara, is one of the shiniest memories of my time in Morocco.
It was an absolutely perfect moment to cap off such a fulfilling and surreal experience before heading back to the crowds of Marrakech.
I highly recommend adding glamping in the Sahara to your Morocco bucket list.
Morocco Sahara Desert Camp – FAQs
Planning on going camping in the Sahara Desert, Morocco? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that will help you make the most of your trip!
Best Time to Go Camping in the Sahara Desert
The best time to go camping in the Sahara Desert is during the cooler months from October to April. This is when the temperatures are more moderate, making it comfortable for outdoor activities and an overall more comfortable experience.
Is Marrakech in the Sahara Desert?
No, Marrakech is not located in the Sahara Desert. Marrakech is located towards the west of central Morocco.
Is the Sahara Desert in Morocco?
The Sahara Desert is located in northern Africa and stretches across several countries including Morocco. The other countries in which the Sahara Desert is located are Libya, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania and Western Sahara.
Can You Camp in the Desert in Morocco?
Yes! You can camp in the desert in Morocco. You can book accommodation independently and organise your own transportation or opt to go on a tour which covers everything.
Can You Go to the Sahara Desert From Morocco?
Yes, you can visit the Sahara Desert from Morocco. The desert is easily accessible from major cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate. There are also numerous desert tours and excursions available, ranging from day trips to multi-day adventures.
What to Wear in the Sahara Desert Morocco?
If you’re planning on camping in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, I suggest wearing lightweight, breathable clothing to cope with the hot days. Also, you should wear a long-sleeved shirt and linen trousers to protect you from the sun. Also take sunglasses, and a scarf to tie into a turban. I wore a mix of trainers on the dunes and excursions and flip-flops around the camp.
Is the Sahara Desert in Morocco Safe?
Generally, the Sahara Desert in Morocco is considered safe for tourists. The Moroccan government takes measures to ensure the safety of visitors, especially in popular tourist areas. However, like any travel destination, be aware of local customs, and follow the advice of tour guides or authorities.
Planning on Glamping in the Sahara Desert?
Are you tempted to book a luxury Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
The Sahara Desert camp in Morocco is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you’re looking to explore one of the Earth’s natural wonders, take part in adventure sports or simply switch off from everyday life, it won’t disappoint.
Thank you to Stephanie from The Unknown Enthusiast for contributing parts of this article.
Looking for more inspirational articles on visiting Morocco? read more inspirational articles here…
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- The Best 10 Days Morocco Itinerary
- What to Wear in Marrakech as a Woman
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