Merzouga Travel Guide
Morocco is a land of adventure and stunning beauty. Its colorful cities, serene coasts, high mountains, and the Sahara Desert await you.
The country’s varied geography offers something for every traveler.
Merzouga Travel Guide
Merzouga is a village in the Erg Chebbi dunes of Morocco. The region called Tafilalet is famous for its camel trekking and sandboarding.
Merzouga is now a top tourist spot for people worldwide.
Unfortunately, few people knew of this place until recently. Its remoteness and lack of infrastructure kept it hidden.
The town has few attractions. But, it is a gateway to the Merzouga dunes and nearby sites. That makes it unique.
How to get from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Taking a private taxi is the easiest way to reach Merzouga from Marrakech. The trip will take around 10 hours without stopping. In reality, you will want to stop in to see various sights on the way, like Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. You may even stop overnight and break up the journey into two days.
How to get from Fes to Merzouga.
CTM and Supratours offer buses from Meknes to Merzouga. So, you must first take a private taxi from Fes to Meknes (about 1 hour). Then, catch the bus from there.
If you’re traveling with luggage, be aware that there may not be space for your bags on board some buses.
In this case, you should hire a private car and travel in comfort without any stops.
How do I get to Merzouga from Ouarzazate?
Merzouga is a small village in the Sahara Desert. It is about a 6-hour drive from Ouarzazate.
It is possible to get to Merzouga by bus. Several companies operate these services, including Supratours and CTM.
Camel tour and camping.
For an authentic experience, you’ll want to book a camel tour in the desert.
How many camels are available limits the number of people on each tour, so be sure to book early enough.
The best time for camel trekking is mid-February to mid-April and October to December. Daytime temperatures are milder then.
What to do in Merzouga
Visit the Merzouga Dunes – the best way to see the desert is by camel.
Many companies offer short trips. But, choose a reputable one. Their guides should know how to navigate the dunes and avoid getting lost.
If you camp in the Erg Chebbi, ensure your guide can set up his camp in a manner that prevents injury.
Merzouga village has hotels with cheap rooms. But, most prefer to stay in a desert camp.
Moroccan desert tours
A tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga (or vice versa) is one of the most popular tours in Morocco. This tour lets you explore the beauty of the Moroccan desert. It includes unique sites like Erg Chebbi and Todra Gorge.
A visit to this tour will allow you to feel like a nomad and experience its lifestyle and activities.
These tours are available year-round. But, due to the warm climate, it’s best to avoid the hot summer months for your desert tour.
Best time to visit Merzouga.
The best months to visit Merzouga are from March to May and September to October. These months have the lowest rainfall. So, it’s the best time for camel rides and sandboarding.
Merzouga’s weather and climate.
As a desert, Merzouga is hot throughout the year. The best time to visit is from April to October, as temperatures are mild during this time, and it’s not as humid.
You may experience a slight chill after sunset or in the early morning.
During summer (June–August), temperatures can soar up to 49°C (120°F). As such, it’s best to avoid this period.
In winter (December–February), it gets very cold at night. If you plan to stay overnight near the dunes this season, bring warm clothes and blankets. You might wake up chilled in the morning.
Is Merzouga worth visiting?
Merzouga is a great place to visit. There are many reasons why it is worth visiting, but here are some of the highlights:
You can visit Merzouga with your friends or family. The best way to experience the Sahara Desert is in good company.
You can go on a desert safari with your friend, share a camel ride, and stay in tents together under the stars at night.
You can also visit Merzouga with your partner for an unforgettable romantic getaway. The Sahara Desert has a beauty that will take your breath away. It may even give you goosebumps.
There’s magic in being together there. You can explore the dunes on camels or relax by a campfire and watch shooting stars.
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Erg Chebbi is a giant dune in Morocco and one of the world’s highest dunes.
There are many different activities that you can do here:
Take a camel ride to explore this fantastic landscape. You can walk through a unique area with beautiful rock formations and caves. The camel ride will take around 2 hours, but it’s worth it.
Go quad biking on top of the dunes. This is a fantastic experience. You can drive your quad bike at high speeds and explore these gigantic dunes.
The tour lasts about 3 hours, so ensure you have enough time for this activity before booking your ticket.
Merzouga itinerary
You can complete a trip to the desert in a day. But, a night or two is best. It allows time to get lost in the dunes and enjoy camel rides.
If you’re traveling alone, you’ll need a guide unless you have ample experience navigating the desert. Otherwise, it’s best to go with an organized tour group or your hotel’s recommended driver.
Is it expensive in Morocco?
The cost of traveling in Morocco depends on where you are in the country and what you are doing.
If you’re on a budget, you can save money by staying at local hotels and eating at cheap restaurants.
We’ve put together some tips that will help you save money while traveling in Morocco:
Hostels are your best friends.
They cost less than hotels. But, they provide a comfy bed, clean sheets, pillows, and a private (often shared) bathroom or shower.
You’ll need to pay extra for linen if you’re staying overnight, though.
For cheap, local food at night, find traditional Moroccan restaurants, not tourist spots.
The food there is not only delicious but also cheap. It’s better priced than other restaurants.
Be careful; they may not have English menus. It might take time to order your meal.
The best time of the year to come to Morocco is.
The best time to visit Morocco is from November to March, when it is still warm during the daytime but not too hot.
The winter months, December to February, are pleasant but a bit colder than at other times of the year.
If you like warm weather, come in summer (June-September). It gets above 40 degrees Celsius then.
Time to visit the Moroccan desert.
Are you planning to visit Morocco? If yes, then you should know that the best time to travel to Morocco is from the end of spring to the end of autumn.
The Merzouga desert is a popular tourist destination. It is a must-visit spot on your trip.
When traveling with family or friends, plan your trip for November or April. Most people visit the area then.
Does it rain in Merzouga?
The Merzouga Desert is one of the driest places, with only 2-3 mm of yearly rainfall. The temperature in the desert varies between 40°C (104°F) in summer and -2°C (28.4°F) in winter.