Sandboarding & Overnight in Merzouga Desert Camp Camel Trekking

Merzouga’s best moment comes when the dunes turn gold and your camel train slows for sunset. This overnight trip gives you time for sandboarding, a traditional dinner, and a night in a private Berber-style tent rather than a quick ride back to town.

I like the simple rhythm of it: a camel ride in, sunrise on camelback, and breakfast before returning to Merzouga. I also like the practical touches, including secure car parking, phone charging, English and Spanish guiding, and a hot shower at the camp. The main drawback is the camel ride itself. Ninety minutes in the saddle can be tiring, and the published start times are not fully clear, so confirm the exact departure time before you go.

Key points to know

• A 90-minute camel ride leads to the camp, with a rest stop and time to climb the dunes.
• Sunset and sunrise are the main events, so the overnight stay gives you two prime desert views.
• Sandboarding is included, along with photos and dune time before dinner.
• Your private tent includes a bed, while the camp also offers phone charging and a hot shower.
• Dinner, breakfast, parking, and guiding are included, but drinks cost extra.
• Youssef is associated with the local operation, and the group can include up to 20 people.

Why an overnight stay makes Merzouga worth the trip

Merzouga is one of Morocco’s best-known desert bases, and the Erg Chebbi dunes provide the classic Sahara scene many people hope to see. The appeal is not just the color of the sand. It is the chance to watch the light change slowly, without rushing back to a hotel after a short camel ride.

A two-day outing also gives you a better sense of desert time. The first afternoon is active, with the camel ride, sunset, and sandboarding. The second morning is quiet and brief, focused on sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back.

At $58.16 per person, the price is strong for what is covered. You are paying for camel trekking, a private tent, dinner, breakfast, parking, sandboarding, and access to a shower. You still need to budget for drinks, and the experience is not a full desert expedition. It is a compact overnight visit designed to fit neatly into a Morocco road trip.

The group limit is 20 people. That is small enough to keep the outing manageable, though you should not expect a completely private guide or a solitary camp. The word private applies to the tent, not necessarily to the whole desert experience.

Leaving Merzouga in the late afternoon

The detailed program describes departure from the hotel in Merzouga at about 4 to 5 p.m., depending on the season. The meeting information also lists a 5:00 a.m. start, which does not match the afternoon camel departure. That may refer to the sunrise portion, but the information is not clear.

I would confirm the meeting time directly before booking, especially if you are arranging transport to Merzouga or planning another activity that day. The stated meeting point is Mouhou Apartments, Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, about 700 meters from the Merzouga post office.

You leave your car in the provided parking area and begin the camel ride from town. This is useful if Merzouga is one stop on a longer self-drive route. You do not need to worry about leaving your vehicle unattended on the edge of the dunes.

The ride takes about an hour and a half. That is long enough to feel like a real crossing into the desert, but short enough for most reasonably fit adults to manage. Camel saddles can be awkward, particularly when the animal stands or sits, and your legs may feel the ride by the end. Wear trousers or other clothing that lets you sit comfortably, and bring water since drinks are not included.

Sunset, sandboarding, and the golden dunes

The camel ride includes a break where you can rest, climb the dunes, take photos, and watch the sunset. This pause matters. A nonstop ride would make the outing feel like transport, while time on foot lets you experience the sand properly.

The dunes offer the strongest visual part of the trip. From higher ground, you get broad views across the Erg Chebbi area. Sunset is likely to be the busiest moment at the camp, but the setting still gives you time to slow down and enjoy the scene.

Sandboarding is included, and it adds some fun to an otherwise gentle schedule. You should think of it as a short dune activity rather than a full sports session. The supplied details do not specify the type of boards or how long the activity lasts, so ask your guide if sandboarding is a priority for you.

Photos are easy to take here, but protect your phone from blowing sand. The camp has a place for charging phones, which is handy at night, but you should not assume that charging will be available at every point along the route. A small power bank is still sensible.

Mint tea and a private tent in the desert

At the camp, you are welcomed with Moroccan mint tea prepared in the traditional way. This is a small but meaningful part of the evening. Tea gives you a chance to settle in, meet the camp staff, and shift from the movement of the camel ride to the slower pace of the desert.

You spend the night in a private nomad-style tent, also described as a Berber Bedouin tent. The supplied details indicate comfortable beds and a clean tent, but they do not give a full list of tent facilities. You should expect a simple camp setting, not a conventional hotel room.

The private tent is a useful feature for couples, families, or anyone who wants some quiet after dinner. It also makes the price more appealing than a basic camel ride with no overnight stay. At the same time, you should remember that desert camps can feel more rustic than their photographs suggest. Ask about bathroom arrangements if that point is important to you, since the details provided do not explain them.

Phone charging is available at the camp. A hot shower is also available the next morning, which is a welcome touch after sleeping in a dry, sandy setting. These are practical comforts, but they do not turn the night into a luxury resort stay.

Dinner, music, and the evening atmosphere

Dinner is included, and the food is described as traditional Moroccan cooking. Specific dishes are not guaranteed, though vegetable soup has received particular praise, along with generally tasty meals. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the provider in advance rather than assuming the menu can be changed on arrival.

The evening may include local entertainment around the fire, with drumming or other music. That social part of the night can be enjoyable, particularly if you are traveling with family or friends. It gives the camp a sense of occasion without needing a long list of planned activities.

You should also be ready for a quieter side to the evening. The desert is most memorable when you step away from the group for a few minutes and look across the dunes. The available information does not promise a formal stargazing program, so do not book this expecting an astronomy tour. Still, the camp setting gives you a better chance to enjoy the night sky than a hotel in town.

The staff are repeatedly described as attentive and helpful, and Youssef is singled out as easy to work with when arranging activities. The English and Spanish guide service should help many visitors handle questions and timing, though the exact guide assigned to your departure may vary.

Sunrise and the return to Merzouga

The second day begins early. You can get up to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then choose to ride camels back to the Kasbah hotel in town.

Sunrise is worth the early start because the desert changes quickly in the morning light. The colors are softer than at sunset, and the quiet makes this part feel less like a scheduled attraction. Bring a warm layer if you are visiting during a cooler period, since mornings in an open desert setting can feel brisk.

After sunrise, you receive a full breakfast and can take a hot shower at the camp. This order is useful: you get the scenic moment first, then food and a chance to clean up before the return journey.

The return camel ride is optional in the wording of the program, so confirm what alternatives are available if you do not want to ride back. The stated end point is the original meeting point in Merzouga. The morning portion is listed as about four hours, which allows time for sunrise, breakfast, showering, and the return arrangements.

Who will enjoy this desert camp most

This outing suits you if you want a first taste of the Sahara without committing to a long multi-day desert route. It also works well for families, couples, friends, and small groups looking for a shared evening outside town.

Families should find the combination of camels, sandboarding, music, and a tent appealing. The main issue is the camel saddle, which can be uncomfortable for children or anyone with back, hip, or knee problems. The activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness.

It can also suit a group retreat or an informal team outing. The camel ride and shared camp dinner create natural time together, while the desert setting offers a change from meetings and city hotels. Still, the camp is built around a fixed schedule, so it may not suit a group seeking complete flexibility.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those are useful access details, but the camel ride and sandboarding still require physical movement. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider exactly what assistance is available before paying.

What to pack and what to clarify

Pack light, since you will be moving between town, camels, and a desert tent. Bring water, sun protection, a warm layer for the night and early morning, and clothing that is comfortable in a saddle.

A phone or camera is worthwhile for sunset and sunrise, but keep it protected from sand. Charging is available at the camp, although a power bank gives you more control.

Before departure, I would clarify four points:

• The exact start time, since the information gives both an afternoon departure and a 5:00 a.m. start.
• The facilities inside or near the private tent, especially toilets.
• The return plan if you choose not to ride camels back.
• Any dietary needs for the included dinner and breakfast.

Drinks are not included, so plan to pay separately for them. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted, and a minimum group size is required for the outing to run.

Is $58.16 good value?

For an overnight Merzouga experience, $58.16 per person is good value if you want the main desert highlights in one tidy package. You receive two camel rides, sunset and sunrise access, sandboarding, a private tent, dinner, breakfast, parking, a guide, and a shower.

The value is less clear if you dislike camel riding or want a high-end camp with detailed luxury facilities. The camel trek is central to the program, not a minor extra, and drinks are added to the advertised cost.

The average booking lead time is 49 days. That suggests you should reserve ahead during popular periods, although one booking was reportedly made at the last moment. I would not rely on last-minute availability if your Morocco route is fixed.

Should you book the Merzouga overnight camel trek?

Book this if you want an affordable first desert night, enjoy simple outdoor comforts, and like the idea of reaching camp by camel rather than by vehicle. The combination of sunset, sandboarding, and dinner gives you a full first evening, while sunrise and breakfast make the short second day worthwhile.

Skip it if a 90-minute camel ride sounds miserable, if you need clearly defined hotel-style facilities, or if you want a longer and more remote Sahara journey. Before booking, settle the start-time confusion and ask about the return option. With those points clear, this is a practical way to experience Merzouga’s dunes without spending several days away from your wider Morocco itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the Merzouga desert camp trek start?

It starts at Mouhou Apartments, Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, about 700 meters from the Merzouga post office in Merzouga, Morocco.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Merzouga.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about two days. The first day is listed as approximately 10 hours, and the second day as approximately four hours.

What time does the camel ride to camp leave?

The detailed schedule says the departure is in the afternoon, around 4 to 5 p.m., depending on the season. The meeting information also lists 5:00 a.m., so confirm the exact time with the provider before you go.

How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?

The ride to camp takes about an hour and a half.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included, along with a break for dune views, photos, and sunset.

Are dinner and breakfast included?

Yes. Dinner on the first evening and a full breakfast the next morning are included. Drinks are not included.

Is the tent private?

Yes. The overnight stay is in a private tent described as a Berber Bedouin or nomad-style tent.

Is parking available?

Yes. Safe parking for your car is included at the starting point.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is a guide provided?

Yes. English and Spanish guiding are included. Youssef is associated with the local operation, though the specific guide for your departure should be confirmed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and the activity may be canceled if its minimum group size is not met.