Merzouga Tours & Activities

Merzouga activities revolve around Erg Chebbi, the great sea of sand on the edge of the Moroccan Sahara where dunes rise to around 150 metres. From a sunset camel ride to a morning on a quad bike, this small village makes an easy base for exploring the desert, and our Marrakech-based team has been arranging trips here for over a decade.

Whether you have a single afternoon or two full days, you can combine several experiences: ride into the dunes, sleep in a Berber camp, meet nomad families and watch the stars far from any city lights. Below you will find what each activity involves, how long it takes and how to plan your visit.

Things to do in Merzouga

Merzouga camel ride and a night in the desert

This is the experience most travellers come for. You set off in the late afternoon, ride for about an hour to an hour and a half into the dunes and reach camp in time to climb a ridge for the sunset. Dinner, Berber drumming around the fire and a sky full of stars follow, with a ride back at sunrise the next morning.

Our Merzouga camel trek with a night in a desert camp includes the ride, dinner, breakfast and your tent. If you would like to spend several days walking and riding through the Sahara, read our guide to camel trekking in Morocco.

Quad biking in Merzouga

Quad bikes (ATVs) are the most popular way to add a little adrenaline to your stay. A local guide rides with you and chooses routes to suit your confidence, from gentle tracks around the edge of the erg to steeper dune crossings. Sessions range from one hour to half a day, and beginners get a short briefing before setting off. See the options on our Merzouga quad bike tours page.

Dune buggy rides

A buggy seats two side by side, which makes it a good choice for couples, friends or a parent with an older child. It covers more ground than a quad, so a few hours are enough to reach the quieter, higher dunes. Details and times are on our Merzouga dune buggy tours page.

4×4 excursion around Erg Chebbi

A half-day or full-day loop by 4×4 shows you the life around the dunes, not just the sand itself. Typical stops include:

• Nomad families – share mint tea in a tent and learn how herders live in the desert.
• Khamlia – a village known for its Gnawa music, played by local musicians with drums and iron castanets.
• Dayet Srji – a seasonal lake that fills after wet winters and draws migrating birds.
• Old mines and fossil workshops – the region is rich in fossils, many of them carved and polished locally.
• Rissani – a lively market town, busiest on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Sandboarding, stargazing and quiet moments

Sandboarding is easy to try on the bigger dunes and is often available at the camps. After dark, the lack of light pollution makes Merzouga one of the best places in Morocco to see the Milky Way. And sometimes the best activity is simply sitting on a dune at sunrise, watching the sand change colour from grey to gold.