Merzouga is a small desert town situated in the eastern Morocco, and it’s a “must see” destination to keep in mind when you visit Morocco. This is the perfect place if you are looking for a desert experience with a lot of possibilities: Camel treks, 4×4 tours or even overnight stay in the desert!

Known as the Erg Chebbi dunes, the dunes of Merzouga are spectacular and can reach up to 200 meters high.

In this guide: “Merzouga: Complete travel guide”, we provide you all the informations and the tips about Merzouga to allow you to enjoy your trip and get the most of your visit.

General information about Merzouga

Merzouga is a small desert town located in the region of Drâa-Tafilalet in Morocco. It’s about 558Km (346 Miles) from Marrakech and 462 Km (287 Miles) from Fez. The town economy is manly based on tourism and it has a lot of hotels, hostels, desert camps and a wide rang of tours. The village is located right on the edge of the desert.

This region is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Morocco with it’s huge dunes of Erg Chebbi, a breath taking landscape formed purely by the wind.

Thanks to it’s position right on the edge of the desert, Merzouga is the perfect starting point for camel rides, 4×4 tours and many guided excursions into the desert.

The best time to visit Merzouga

Merzouga is a desert town, therefor, visiting it in the summer period in Morocco can be quite challenging due to the high temperature. It can reach up to 50°C/122°F during daytime.

In general, the best periods to visit Merzouga is between December to the end of January, or between 1st March to the end of May (Or even the end of June).

Keep in mind that even in the summer when the daytime temperature is very high, it can quickly drop to 0°C/32°F during the night. Yes, this is the desert! the temperature can extremely vary from day to night. Always keep warm clothes at hand reach especially after the sunset.

The road to Merzouga

In general, you will start your trip from Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat or Fez. We will focus only on the itinerary from Marrakech and from Fez since the are both in the same itinerary if you make the departure, respectively, from Casablanca or Rabat.

From Fez to Merzouga

If you start your trip from Fez, the distance to Merzouga is about 462 Km (287 Miles) across the national road N13. In general the road is in good shape and well maintained. During the trip you will get through several cities and towns. Don’t miss the oportunity to spend a day in Ifrane as it is a very beautiful city with alpin style.

If you are traveling to Merzouga during the winter you can be surprised by the snow in the city of Ifrane in contrast with your destination wich is desert where you will find hotter weather, sand and sun.

From Marrakech to Merzouga

If you start your trip from Marrakech, the distance to Merzouga is about 558 Km (346 Miles) across the national road N9 where the famous mountain pass Tizi’N’Tichka is located, then across the national road N10. Both road are in very good shape and very well maintained.

During the trip don’t miss the Opportunity to visit Ouarzazate where many famous movies were filmed and make a stop at Kelaat Mgouna witch is famous by it’s rose water and rose oil products.

Hotels in Merzouga

As said earlier, you can find in Merzouga a lot of hotels, hostels and desert camps. In each category you can find what matches your budget and your preferences. In general and depending on the season, the prices vary from 23 USD per night for two adults to 250 USD per night or more. It depends on the luxury level and the services desired.

Almost all the hotels and hostels are well equipped, with air conditioners, wifi, hot and cold water and pools. The room service is also available in the majority of them.

Also, the hotels and hostels in Merzouga offers amazing food quality with typically Moroccan dishes. From Tajines to couscous or salads, you will enjoy the delicious food of Merzouga.

The desert camps instead offers an unusual and amazing experience. The camps are beautiful and designed with great attention to details. With organized campfire gathering at night, you can enjoy local music, story telling and observe a majestic and clear starry sky. The desert camps are made with luxurious tentes equipped with shower, toilet and confortable beds. Amazing experience at the middle of the Sahara.

In general the prices are higher from March to the end of June, and in December to the end of January.

You can make your reservations online in booking.com or trivago.com or using tripadvisor.com

What to do in Merzouga

Camel trekking

Camel riding in Merzouga is a unique experience. In general the tour is organized to begin in the afternoon and to arrive in a remote berber tent camp just in time to watch the sunset from the nearby dunes. At the camp you will find traditional berber drums music accompanying the a delicious dinner.In the morning you can enjoy your breakfast at the camp surrounded by the desert dunes.

Tip: Be sure to wear confortable clothes and athletic shoes. Also don’t forget your sunscreen.

4X4 and buggy tours

4×4 excursion is also an alternative to navigate into the desert. With a Professional and local 4×4 driver, you will enjoy the route that will take you along the sahara desert landscapes and villages. The driver guides speak in general all languages including English, German, Spanish, Italian and French and they will stop any time you want to take photos. The tour length is about 4 or 5 hours and it includes lunch.

For those who are seeking more adrenaline, the buggy tours will take them into the dunes accompanied with professional guide who will teach them how to drive a buggy, how to stay safe and guide them into the desert. The equipment also are provided by the buggy tour organizers.

Watch sunrise

One of the most popular activities in Merzouga is the sunrise watching experience as Merzouga’s sunrise is one of the most beautiful in the world. Early in the morning you can go into the desert dunes, and take place on one of these dunes to wait for the sunrise. An amazing show is coming from the horizon!

Merzouga sunriseMerzouga sunrise

What to expect from a desert tour in Merzouga

• Excellent value as the prices for a night can fit every budget including the berber camps and the camel tours. Delicious meals and food. Of course, in Morocco there is no limits to luxury.
• A camel ride in the desert is always offered giving you the opportunity to enjoy amazing desert landscapes and to take beautiful photos.
• Well equipped and confortable desert camps with showers and toilets and all what you need right in the heart of the sahara.
• Safety and security, you will permanently feel secure like in all the areas of Morocco
• Desert weather, with it’s high temperature, sometimes cold at night and it’s sandstorms from time to time.
• And of course, the Moroccan hospitality. At all time you will be welcomed and well supported

We hope that this Merzouga complete travel guide was helpful. Enjoy your trip!