Choosing where to sleep in the Sahara matters, so here is an honest look at our Merzouga luxury desert camp, from your tent to sunrise. On every Morocco Desert Excursions tour, your night in the dunes is at Mouhou Luxury Camp, a Merzouga luxury desert camp set inside the Erg Chebbi dunes. “Luxury” can mean many things in the desert, so here is what it means with us, in plain terms: every tent is private and has its own shower and toilet. We don’t use basic camps with shared bathrooms, on private or shared tours.
For general travel information about Morocco’s south and the Sahara, the Moroccan National Tourist Office is a useful official starting point.
This page tells you what’s in the tent, how you get there, what happens from sunset to sunrise, and what to pack — so you know exactly what you’re booking.
Inside our Merzouga luxury desert camp: your tent
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Privacy | One tent per booking party. On shared tours too, you never share a tent with people you don’t know. |
| Bathroom | Your own shower and toilet inside or attached to your tent |
| Hot water | [CONFIRM hot water availability and hours] |
| Beds | [CONFIRM — double / twin / extra beds for families] with full bedding and blankets [CONFIRM] |
| Electricity | [CONFIRM — lights, charging points, solar or generator, hours] |
| Heating (winter) | [CONFIRM — heaters or extra blankets] |
| Air conditioning / fans (summer) | [CONFIRM] |
| Wi-Fi / mobile signal | [CONFIRM] |
| Towels and toiletries | [CONFIRM] |
| Family tents | [CONFIRM availability and sizes] |
What “luxury” does not mean here: this is still a camp in the desert. Sand gets everywhere, the wind can blow at night, water is brought in, and power may be limited. If you expect a five-star hotel, you may be surprised. If you expect a comfortable, clean private room with its own bathroom in the middle of the dunes, that’s what we offer.
[PHOTO PLACEHOLDER — tent exterior] [PHOTO PLACEHOLDER — tent interior] [PHOTO PLACEHOLDER — bathroom]
How you get to our Merzouga luxury desert camp
You don’t drive to the camp door. The last part of the journey is across the dunes.
By camel (standard). You meet your cameleer at the edge of Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon. The ride is timed so you’re in the dunes for sunset. It lasts about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]. You’ll usually stop on a dune to watch the light change. For more about the ride itself, see our overnight camel trek in Erg Chebbi.
By 4×4 (on request). Camel riding isn’t comfortable for everyone. If you have back, knee or hip problems, are pregnant, or simply prefer not to ride, we drive you to camp by 4×4 instead. Tell us when you book.
Your luggage. Your main suitcase stays in the vehicle [CONFIRM — or is driven to camp]. On the camel, you carry only a small bag.
Your evening, hour by hour
Times change with the season — sunset in Merzouga is roughly 17:30–18:00 in December and about 19:30–20:00 in June (Morocco time). This is a typical evening:
- Late afternoon — Arrive at the edge of the dunes. Leave your big bag, put on a scarf, meet your camel.
- Sunset — Ride through the dunes. Stop for photos as the sand turns orange and red.
- Arrival at camp — Welcome mint tea. You’re shown your tent and the bathroom.
- Free time — Freshen up, climb the dune behind camp, or just sit and watch the dark come in.
- Dinner — Served at around [CONFIRM dinner time]. Typically a Moroccan menu such as soup, salads and tagine, with fruit to finish [CONFIRM menu]. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available on request.
- Campfire — After dinner, the team lights a fire and plays Berber drum music. Join in or just listen.
- Stars — Away from town lights, the night sky can be extraordinary on clear, moonless nights. Bring a jacket and lie back on the sand.
Sunrise and the morning after
Your camp team will tell you sunrise time the night before. Set an alarm for about 30–45 minutes earlier, put on warm layers and climb the dune near camp. It’s a short but steep walk in soft sand.
After sunrise you ride back by camel (or 4×4) to the village, where breakfast is served [CONFIRM — at camp or at a partner hotel; shower available CONFIRM]. Then your tour continues.
What to pack for one night at camp
Keep it to one small backpack:
- Warm layer (fleece or down jacket) — even in spring and autumn, nights are cool
- Hat or scarf for wind and sand; sunglasses
- Toothbrush, toiletries, any medication
- Phone and charger or power bank [CONFIRM charging options]
- Small torch or head torch for walking between tents
- Comfortable shoes you don’t mind filling with sand (or sandals)
- In winter: warm socks, hat and gloves
- Cash in dirhams for drinks or tips
Leave valuables you don’t need in the vehicle or your hotel safe.
Our Merzouga luxury desert camp by season
- Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November): the most comfortable months. Warm days, cool evenings.
- Summer (June–August): daytime temperatures in Merzouga are often above 40 °C. Evenings are warm; the camel ride and sunrise are the coolest times. [CONFIRM cooling in tents.]
- Winter (December–February): pleasant days but cold nights, sometimes close to freezing. [CONFIRM heating / extra blankets.] Bring warm clothes for the evening and sunrise.
- Wind and sandstorms: can happen in any season, more often in spring. If conditions are unsafe, we may change the plan, for example by going to camp by 4×4.
Food and dietary needs
Dinner and breakfast are included. We can prepare vegetarian and vegan meals if you tell us in advance. For allergies or other diets (gluten-free, lactose-free and so on), please write to us before you travel [CONFIRM which diets can be catered for]. Drinking water: [CONFIRM bottled water included]. Alcohol: [CONFIRM — not served / bring your own / available].
Accessibility, families and older travellers
- Mobility: the camp is on sand. Paths between tents, the dining area and the dunes are uneven. A 4×4 transfer avoids the camel ride, but the camp is not wheelchair-accessible [CONFIRM]. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
- Children: kids usually love the camel ride and the dunes. Ask about family tents [CONFIRM] and minimum age for camel rides [CONFIRM].
- Older travellers: many older guests enjoy the camp comfortably, especially with a 4×4 transfer and a warm layer for the evening.
Prefer a hotel night instead (or as well)?
Some of our longer tours include a night in a kasbah-style hotel in Merzouga as well as the camp night. You can also ask to replace the camp with a hotel. Hotels we use include Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM]. A hotel gives you a proper room and pool, with the dunes in view, but you miss sleeping among the dunes.
Which tours include this camp?
All our multi-day desert tours with a night in Erg Chebbi use Mouhou Luxury Camp, whether private or shared. Browse by starting point:
- Marrakech desert tours to Merzouga (2 to 5 days)
- Marrakech to Fes desert tours via Merzouga
- Fes to Marrakech desert tours via Merzouga
- Fes desert tours to Merzouga, round trip and one-way
- Shared small-group desert tours with a private tent
Planning the bigger picture? Our Merzouga travel guide covers getting there, the best time to go and a full packing list.
FAQs about our desert camp
Is the bathroom really private, or shared between a few tents? It’s private. Every tent has its own shower and toilet. We don’t use camps with shared bathroom blocks.
Will I share a tent on a shared tour? No. On shared tours you share the vehicle and the route with other travellers, but each booking party has its own tent.
Can I charge my phone at camp? [CONFIRM — e.g. charging points in tents / in the main tent / limited hours.] A power bank is a good idea either way.
Is it cold at night? From December to February, yes — nights can approach freezing. In spring and autumn they’re cool. Bring a warm layer in any season.
Where does my suitcase go? It stays in your vehicle [CONFIRM], and you take a small bag to camp. You’ll have your suitcase again the next morning.
Can I stay two nights at the camp? Yes, on many tours you can add a second night in the dunes [CONFIRM availability and price]. It gives you a full day to rest or explore.
Is the camp safe for solo travellers? The camp is staffed throughout the night [CONFIRM], and solo travellers have their own private tent [CONFIRM SINGLE SUPPLEMENT].
Questions about the camp?
We’re happy to send more photos or answer specific questions before you book.
- WhatsApp or call: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
- Contact form: contact form
Check availability & get a quote Ask on WhatsApp
Hosted by people from Merzouga
Morocco Desert Excursions was founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga. The dunes around the camp are our home ground.
[INSERT VERIFIED REVIEW WIDGET / LINK – e.g., TripAdvisor or Google profile]
How to judge any “luxury” camp in Merzouga
Many camps around Erg Chebbi call themselves luxury, and the word does not mean the same thing everywhere. Whether you book with us or not, these questions help you compare.
- Is the bathroom private? Ask if each tent has its own shower and toilet, or if bathrooms are shared between tents.
- Where exactly is the camp? Some camps sit among the dunes; others are at the edge of the village, close to the road.
- How do you get there? By camel, by 4×4, or by car to the door?
- What happens in winter and summer? Ask about heating, blankets and cooling.
- Is the tent only for your party? On shared tours, check that you will not share with strangers.
Our answers to these questions are on this page. At our Merzouga luxury desert camp, the private bathroom and your own tent are the points we never compromise on.
Stargazing from the dunes
Clear skies are one of the best reasons to stay at a Merzouga luxury desert camp. To enjoy them fully, a little planning helps.
- Check the moon. A full moon lights up the dunes beautifully but hides fainter stars. Around the new moon, the sky is at its darkest.
- Give your eyes time. Step away from the camp lights and wait about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust.
- Use a dim light. A head torch on its lowest or red setting keeps your night vision and does not disturb others.
- Look for the Milky Way. On dark nights, especially in the warmer months, it can stretch across the sky.
A short walk up the dune behind our Merzouga luxury desert camp is usually enough to leave most of the light behind.
Photography at night
If you want photos of the stars over our Merzouga luxury desert camp, bring a small tripod or something stable to rest your camera on. Phones with a night mode can do surprisingly well if you keep them very still.
Please do not bring a drone. Morocco restricts their use, and they can be held at customs. Flash photography at the campfire can also disturb the musicians and other guests, so ask first.
Camp etiquette
Sharing a quiet place in the desert works best when everyone is considerate. A few simple habits help every guest enjoy the Merzouga luxury desert camp.
- Keep voices low after the campfire, as sound carries far across the sand.
- Use water carefully. All water is brought to camp, so short showers help.
- Keep the tent closed so sand and insects stay outside.
- Ask before photographing staff or other guests.
- Take your litter back with you or leave it in the bins at camp.
Water, waste and the desert
The dunes are our home, and we want them to stay clean. Running a Merzouga luxury desert camp in the Sahara means water, food and fuel all arrive by vehicle [CONFIRM how supplies reach camp].
You can help by bringing a refillable bottle, using as little single-use plastic as possible and taking any batteries or rubbish back to town. Please do not pick up fossils or plants from the dunes.
Health and comfort tips
The desert is gentle for most people, but a few small things make your night at the Merzouga luxury desert camp more comfortable.
- Drink plenty of water during the day, especially in summer.
- Contact lens wearers: bring glasses too, as fine sand and wind can irritate your eyes.
- Lip balm and moisturiser help in the very dry air.
- Shake out your shoes in the morning before putting them on.
- Bring any medication you need in your small bag, not in the suitcase left in the vehicle.
If you feel unwell during the night, tell the camp team, who can help you [CONFIRM night staffing].
Celebrating something special?
Birthdays, anniversaries and honeymoons are common reasons to spend a night at our Merzouga luxury desert camp. Tell us in advance and we will see what we can arrange, such as a cake or a special table at dinner [CONFIRM what is offered and any cost].
For a proposal, let us know your plans privately so the team can help choose a quiet moment and place on the dunes.
Making the most of a second night
If you add a second night, you get a full day between two sunsets. Many guests use it to rest at camp through the hottest hours and explore in the morning and late afternoon.
Ideas include walking higher into the dunes, visiting the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, or a trip to the market town of Rissani [CONFIRM which excursions you offer and whether they are included]. A second evening at our Merzouga luxury desert camp is often more relaxed than the first, because you already know the place.
Arriving with your own car
If you are driving yourself around Morocco, you can still spend a night at the camp [CONFIRM if camp-only stays are offered]. You park at a meeting point at the edge of the dunes and continue by camel or 4×4, as on our tours [CONFIRM parking arrangement and security].
More questions about our Merzouga luxury desert camp
Can we book the Merzouga luxury desert camp without a tour?
Please ask us [CONFIRM if camp-only bookings are possible and how they are priced].
Can we lock our tent?
[CONFIRM whether tents can be locked]. Keep valuables you do not need in your hotel safe or with your driver.
Are there insects or animals at camp?
Insects are usually few, especially in cooler months. You may see beetles, small lizards or birds around the dunes. Keeping your tent closed helps.
Is the Merzouga luxury desert camp suitable for a honeymoon?
Many couples choose it for the privacy of their own tent and bathroom, and the quiet of the dunes. Tell us when you book.
What time should we arrive at the edge of the dunes?
Usually in the late afternoon, so the camel ride reaches the dunes for sunset. Your driver plans the day to fit [CONFIRM].
Can we have breakfast at camp?
[CONFIRM where breakfast is served.] Either way, you watch the sunrise from the dunes first.
Is the Merzouga luxury desert camp open all year?
[CONFIRM opening months and any closures]. Most guests visit in spring and autumn, but the camp welcomes guests in every season.
How many tents are there?
[CONFIRM number of tents]. Ask us if you prefer a quieter date or a tent set slightly apart.