In short
Choose Agafay for an easy escape from Marrakech, Merzouga for big dunes and the Erg Chigaga for true remoteness. The right pick mostly depends on how much time you have and how far you are willing to travel.
- Short escapeAgafay, usually under an hour from Marrakech
- Big dunesErg Chebbi, near Merzouga
- Most remoteErg Chigaga, reached by 4x4
- Best seasonsMarch to May and September to November
Agafay, Merzouga or Erg Chigaga: what is the difference?
The Agafay desert is mostly a landscape of stones, hills and ochre valleys, with the Atlas peaks on the horizon. It is generally reached in under an hour from Marrakech, which makes it a very easy first night in the desert. Camps there are plentiful and comfortable, but you will not find big sand dunes.
For classic dunes, head to the Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, in the far east of the country. The drive is long from Marrakech or Fez, but arriving at camp by camel is a highlight. It is the stop we include in our Exploring Morocco grand tour.
The Erg Chigaga, further south near M'Hamid, is the most remote of the three. It takes several hours by 4x4 across the hamada to reach it; in return there are fewer camps and the silence is complete.
Which desert should you pick for your length of stay?
Plan one night for Agafay, two days of driving there and back for the classic Sahara, and more again for the Erg Chigaga. Here are our rules of thumb.
| Desert | Landscape | Access from Marrakech | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agafay | Stones, hills, Atlas views | Usually under an hour | A weekend or short stay |
| Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) | Large sand dunes | Long drive, best within a circuit | Dunes and camel rides |
| Erg Chigaga | Remote dunes, hamada | Several hours by 4x4 from Zagora | Travellers seeking solitude |
Our experts' tip
With less than a week, do not stretch the distances: one well-chosen night in Agafay beats two days on the road for a single evening in the dunes.
When is the best time to visit the desert in Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the most pleasant: warm days without excess and cool nights. In summer the heat in the south is intense and we advise against it. In winter the days stay mild, but nights under canvas can be very cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayGood
- JunHot
- JulHot
- AugHot
- SepGood
- OctIdeal
- NovIdeal
- DecPossible
For the rest of the country, see our guide on when to go to Morocco.
How do you sleep in the desert: bivouac or private camp?
It depends on the comfort you want. On our journeys the night is spent in a private camp or a bivouac, with dinner in a tent and a starry sky, away from the busiest camps. In Agafay the evening often starts with a quad or 4x4 ride; in the dunes, with a camel transfer.
Good to know
Pack warm layers even in autumn: once the sun sets, temperatures drop quickly in the desert.
Our Morocco trips with a night in the desert
Frequently asked questions
Which Moroccan desert is best for a first time?
Agafay is the simplest for a first night because it is close to Marrakech. If you dream of big dunes, add Merzouga to a longer circuit.
Can you sleep in the desert in winter?
Yes, but nights are generally very cold. Spring and autumn are more comfortable.
How many nights should you spend in the desert?
One night is enough to enjoy it. A second night only makes sense if you want to explore the surroundings, especially for the Erg Chigaga.
Your Morocco trip, tailor-made
Tell us your dates, season and the desert that draws you: our team replies with a tailor-made proposal within 24h.