About
Merzouga is a village in south-eastern Morocco, and it serves as the main gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, one of the most visited stretches of the Sahara. Arriving here feels like reaching the edge of a different landscape: the town gives way quickly to a sea of golden sand, with dunes rising up to 150 metres high.
What a visit offers
- Camel treks across the dunes, a slow way to take in the scale of the desert.
- Luxury desert camps, where you can spend the night among the dunes rather than returning to the village.
- Sunrise over the sand, when the light turns the dune ridges gold and the shadows stretch long across the slopes.
Planning your trip
Most visitors come to Merzouga for the desert itself, so the dunes are the reason to make the journey. A night in a camp lets you experience both the quiet of the evening and the early morning light, which are the moments the area is best known for. The village itself is small and makes a practical base for arranging excursions and rest between outings.
If you are drawn to wide open landscapes, unhurried days and the feeling of being far from everyday routines, Merzouga is well worth considering. Plan for an overnight stay so you can see the dunes at both dusk and dawn.
