Morocco desert

The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world, and Morocco’s desert is just a part of the Sahara. Many travelers from around the world are planning to visit Morocco’s desert but may not know what makes the Moroccan desert unique. Here’s a simple guide to help you make the most of your desert experience.

Morocco’s desert is in the southeast, near the borders with Algeria and Western Sahara. The desert has little plant life and is mostly made up of large sand dunes that look like ocean waves. While there aren’t many animals, camels are common, as they are used by the nomadic tribes.

The two biggest deserts in Morocco are Erg Chebbi Merzouga and Erg Chigaga. Both are near the border with Algeria and are surrounded by Hammada, a flat, rocky desert that has its own special beauty.

Erg Chebbi is located near the town of Merzouga, close to Morocco’s border with Algeria. It is famous for its high, golden sand dunes that can rise up to 150 meters.

The Erg chebbo desert is popular with tourists, offering camel rides, Overnights at desert camps, and stunning views of the sunrise and sunset. The area has a mix of dunes, small oases, and rocky landscapes, making it a beautiful and accessible destination for the travelers who looking for an unforgettable desert experience.

Erg Chigaga is located further south near M’Hamid El Ghizlane and is more remote. It covers a larger area, approximately 40 km long and 15 km wide, with dunes is smaler then Erg Chebbi. The dunes here are less commercialized, and reaching them requires traveling over rough desert terrain, often by 4×4 vehicles or camels.

Erg Chigaga offers a quieter, more authentic desert experience with fewer tourists, making it ideal for those looking solitude and adventure, read more our blog to know how to get to both Erg chegaga desert and Erg chebbi desert.

The Morocco Sahara Desert is one of the best destinations for travelers visiting Morocco. Most will arrive in Merzouga to see the Erg Chebbi dunes or in M’Hamid El Ghizlane to visit the Erg Chigaga dunes.

To get to Merzouga and explore the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara Desert, you can follow several transportation options depending on your starting point and preferences:

By Car: You can rent a car and drive from Marrakech to Merzouga. The journey takes about 9 to 10 hours, covering around 560 km. The drive takes you through the High Atlas Mountains, the Dades Valley, and other scenic areas. It’s a great way to experience Morocco’s landscapes.

By Bus: You can take a public bus (Superatour) from Marrakech to Merzouga, which is the closest town to the Erg Chebbi dunes. The journey takes about 10-12 hours.

By Taxi: You can take a shared taxi from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, then from Ouarzazate to Errachidia, followed by another taxi to Rissani, and finally to Merzouga. However, this journey takes more than 12 hours, so we do not recommend this option.

By Car: The drive from Fes to Merzouga is about 460 km and takes around 7 to 8 hours. You will pass through the Middle Atlas Mountains and the towns of Ifrane and Midelt before reaching Merzouga.

By Bus: You can also take a public bus Superatours  or CTM from Fes to Merzouga, But CTM get just to Rissani then take a taxi to Merzouga.

By Car: You can drive from Ouarzazate (about 360 km away), which takes around 4-5 hours. This is a common route for travelers coming from the popular film city of Ouarzazate or the Ait Benhaddou area.

The nearest airport to Merzouga is in Errachidia (Moulay Ali Cherif Airport), about 130 km away. Flights from Marrakech or Fes can get you to Errachidia, from where you can take a taxi to Merzouga.

Many travelers prefer to book an organized tour from cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Ouarzazate. These tours often include transportation, guides, and accommodations, along with a desert experience such as camel trekking or a night in a desert camp. These tours usually last 3 or 4 days, allowing you to explore the desert more leisurely.

To get to Erg Chigaga, Sand dunes near M’Hamid El Ghizlane, Here is fiew options you can choose from transportation depending on your starting point and preferences:

By Car: You can rent a car and drive from Marrakech to M’Hamid El Ghizlane, which is the nearest town to Erg Chigaga dunes.

The journey takes around 9 to 10 hours and covers approximately 550-600 km. The route will take you through the High Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, and the Draa Valley, providing scenic views along the way. From M’Hamid, you will need to take a 4×4 vehicle to reach the dunes, which takes about 1-1.5 hours.

By Bus: You can take a public bus Superatours from Marrakech to Zagora or M’Hamid, though the journey can take around 10-12 hours. Once you reach M’Hamid, you will need to arrange for a 4×4 vehicle to take you to Erg Chigaga dunes.

By Car: If you’re coming from Ouarzazate, you can rent a car and drive south through the Draa Valley, which will take you around 5 to 6 hours. From M’Hamid El Gizlane, you can hire a 4×4 to take you to the dunes.

By 4×4: Another option is to book a guided 4×4 tour from Ouarzazate or Marrakech, which will take you directly to Erg Chigaga. These tours often last 2-3 or 4 days, including visits to nearby villages and desert experiences.

By Car: Renting a car is a popular option for traveling from Agadir to Erg Chigaga. The drive takes about 8-9 hours and covers a distance of 550-600 km. You will pass through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, Taroudant, Tata, and Zagora before reaching M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the closest town to the dunes. From M’Hamid El Ghizlane, you will need to hire a 4×4 vehicle to reach the dunes, which takes about 1-1.5 hours.

By Bus: You can take a public bus from Agadir to Zagora or M’Hamid El Ghizlane. The bus ride typically takes about 10-12 hours. From Zagora or M’Hamid, you can take a shared taxi or 4×4 vehicle to Erg Chigaga.

By 4×4 Tour: Another option is to book a guided 4×4 tour from Agadir to Erg Chigaga. The tour will take you through scenic towns like Taroudant and Zagora, and the guide will take you to the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle. This is a more comfortable way to experience the journey while also exploring the desert with a local guide.

By Taxi: If you prefer a private journey, you can hire a taxi from Agadir to Erg Chigaga. This option can be quite expensive, so it’s best to agree on the price beforehand.

There are no direct flights to Erg Chigaga. However, you can fly to Marrakech, Agadir, or Zagora, which are the nearest airports.

From Marrakech or Agadir, the journey to Erg Chigaga takes about 8-9 hours by car. Alternatively, you can fly to Zagora from Marrakech (about a 1-hour flight), and then take a 4×4 vehicle from Zagora or M’Hamid El Ghizlane to reach the dunes, which takes around 1-1.5 hours.

To get to Erg Chigaga with an organized tour, you can book a desert tour from cities like Marrakech, Agadir, or Ouarzazate.

These tours typically last 2-3 or 4 days and include transportation in a 4×4 vehicul, taking you through scenic routes like the Draa Valley and Anti-Atlas Mountains to M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the nearest town to the dunes.

From there, the tour continues to Erg Chigaga, where you can enjoy activities such as camel treks and overnight at desert camp. Many tours offer a fully inclusive experience, with meals, accommodation, and guides, making it a convenient and adventurous way to explore the Sahara Desert.

There are many different activities you can do in the Morocco desert, such as camel trekking, spending the night at a desert camp, riding quad bikes, or going on a 4×4 desert safari.

A 3- or 4-day desert tour from Marrakech or Fes will take you on an unforgettable journey to experience the magic of the Moroccan desert.

Ride camels through the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night under the stars in a desert camp.  

Experience the beauty of the desert by watching the sunrise or sunset over the sand dunes of Merzouga . This is one of the best activities in Merzouga desert.

Take a 4×4 vehicle, where your local driver will pick you up and take you to explore the Merzouga Desert. Ride through the sand dunes in the 4×4 and experience the adventure of the Sahara Desert.

Visit a Nomad family to learn about their lifestyle and enjoy tea with them. Discover the mineral caves in M’fis village and experience the traditional Gnawa music in Khamlia.