Camel Treks in Morocco Sahara desert (Merzouga)

The best part of this Merzouga camel trek is its small scale. You ride out through the dunes at sunset, sleep in a camp limited to 10 people, and spend the evening with a local Berber family whose relatives lived as nomads in the Sahara. This feels more personal than a large desert camp with a busload of people.

I like two things right away: the welcome begins with mint tea in Hassi Labied, and the price includes much more than a camel ride. You get dinner, breakfast, sandboarding, camp water, Berber music, traditional clothing, a private tent, and a shower after returning. The main drawback is simple: the bathroom is shared, and a night in a desert tent is not a hotel stay.

Key points before you book

• A sunset camel ride leads to a small camp: You leave around 3 p.m. and reach camp as the light softens over the dunes.
• Local hosts shape the evening: The family is from the Sahara and can talk about nomadic and Berber life.
• Dinner comes with drums and a campfire: Expect Moroccan food, mint tea, music, and time beneath the night sky.
• You see both sunset and sunrise by camel: The return ride begins after breakfast the next morning.
• Sandboarding is included: You can add a little action to an otherwise gentle desert outing.
• The $52.34 price covers the core costs: Transport help, camels, meals, tent, activities, and a post-trip shower are included, but soft drinks, alcohol, and tips are not.

Leaving Hassi Labied around 3 p.m.

The trip begins at about 3 p.m. in or near Hassi Labied, the village beside Merzouga’s dunes. If you arrive by bus, pickup is offered. If you drive, free parking is available, which is useful in a desert town where leaving a rental car unattended can add needless worry.

Before setting off, you have mint tea and snacks with the local family. This is more than a quick check-in. It gives you a chance to meet the people running the camp, ask practical questions, and get a feel for the evening ahead.

The team is connected with local hosts including Moha and Hassan, names that come up repeatedly in connection with the desert operation. Communication is one of the useful strengths here. If you are arriving independently, confirm the meeting point and pickup details in advance, especially if your bus arrival time differs from the listed start time.

The 3 p.m. start is designed around sunset rather than a long afternoon ride. That means you will have some daylight for the camel trek, but the most dramatic colors arrive toward the end. If you dislike sitting on a camel for a long stretch, this shorter schedule is easier than an all-day ride.

The camel ride across Merzouga’s dunes

The camels are waiting near the meeting point. Each person receives a camel and rides with a guide toward the camp. Your route takes you into the sand dunes, where the village falls away and the scene becomes quiet and wide open.

A camel ride is not a smooth, fast form of transport. You climb up and down when the animal rises and kneels, and the rolling motion can be tiring for your legs. Wear trousers or other comfortable clothing, and bring a layer for the evening. The desert can feel warm in the sun and cool after dark.

The payoff is the pace. You move slowly enough to watch the changing color of the sand and notice the silence between the animal’s steps. The camel ride is also a good way to reach the camp without immediately shifting to a motor vehicle.

You receive a Berber-style turban and jalaba for the outing. These clothes are practical in the sun and make for good photographs, though you should still bring your own sun protection. Water is included at camp, but carrying a small bottle during the ride is sensible if you need frequent drinks.

Sandboarding adds a short burst of fun

Sandboarding is included, so you can climb one of the dunes and slide down. It is a simple activity, but it breaks up the ride and gives you something active to do before dinner.

Do not expect a full equipment center or a long organized lesson. The attraction is the dune itself. If you enjoy trying something new without paying for another excursion, this inclusion adds real value.

The sand is soft, and climbing a dune takes more effort than it first appears. Take your time, especially in the afternoon heat. You can also skip it and simply enjoy the views if your knees or back are not fond of repeated climbs.

A private tent, but shared bathroom facilities

At camp, you stay in a private tent. That gives you personal sleeping space, which is a useful step up from a fully communal setup. The camp can accommodate no more than 10 people, so the evening should feel fairly intimate rather than crowded.

The bathroom is shared. This is the detail to weigh carefully before booking. You are choosing a basic desert camp built around family hospitality and a traditional setting, not a luxury resort with private plumbing in every room.

The tent arrangement is described as simple but comfortable. You should pack with that in mind. Bring a small overnight bag rather than taking your full luggage into the dunes, and keep a warm layer handy for the night. The provided shower comes after you return to the meeting point in the morning.

Dinner, mint tea, and Berber drums around the fire

The evening meal is one of the strongest parts of this outing. After arriving, you have another tea service, followed by dinner. Moroccan dishes such as chicken tagine have been served on related desert stays, and the operation has also accommodated vegan meals. If you have a dietary need, tell the team ahead of time rather than waiting until dinner.

After the meal, the hosts play Berber music with drums around the campfire. This is the point of choosing a local family-run stay instead of treating the desert as a backdrop for a quick photograph. The music, stories, and talk about nomadic life give the night some cultural substance.

The hosts grew up in the Sahara and spent time living in tents before establishing themselves in Hassi Labied. That background can make the conversation more meaningful, particularly if you ask about family life, moving with herds, desert travel, and how life has changed since settling in the village.

Keep your expectations grounded. A campfire performance is informal, and the camp is small. That is a benefit if you want conversation and a relaxed evening, but it may feel too quiet if you are looking for a large party or a long entertainment program.

Looking up at the Sahara sky

After dinner and music, you have time to sit outside and watch the sky. The lack of city lights can make the stars the main event. Shooting stars are possible, but no tour can promise them. Clear conditions matter, and clouds or dust can change the view.

Bring a small flashlight or use your phone carefully at night. Keep the light low so you do not spoil the view for yourself or others. A phone battery can also drain quickly in cold conditions, so charge it before leaving the village.

This is where the 20-hour format works well. You are not rushed back to Merzouga after sunset. You spend the night in the dunes, then have another quiet outdoor moment at sunrise.

Sunrise by camel and breakfast in the morning

The hosts wake you in time for sunrise. You can watch the first light over the dunes before breakfast, then prepare for the return journey.

Breakfast is included, though the exact menu is not specified. Expect a Moroccan-style morning meal rather than a large hotel buffet. Tea and local food are central to the hospitality here, and the morning meal gives you time to wake up before getting back on the camels.

The return ride takes you to the meeting point. Once there, you can shower if needed. That shower is a small but important inclusion, especially if you have a bus, rental car, or long drive ahead.

The schedule is compact, but it still gives you the major desert moments: arrival tea, sunset, a camel trek, sandboarding, dinner, music, stars, sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back. You should be ready to leave camp in the morning rather than expecting a leisurely late checkout.

Is $52.34 good value?

At $52.34 per person, this is a strong value if you want a first Sahara night without paying for a higher-end camp. The price includes the camel, guide, meals, tea and snacks, camp water, private tent, sandboarding, clothing, music, campfire, free parking, and a post-trip shower.

That list matters because desert add-ons can quickly raise the final bill. Here, several of the activities are already included. You do not have to choose between camel riding and sandboarding, and you do not need to arrange a separate shower after returning.

The limits are clear. Alcohol and soft drinks cost extra, and tips are not included. The bathroom is shared. The camp is intentionally small and local, but it is not presented as a luxury camp with hotel-style facilities.

For the price, I would see this as a cultural overnight outing rather than an accommodation purchase. You are paying for the sequence of experiences and the personal contact with the hosts. If you want air-conditioning, private bathrooms, or polished resort service, spend more and choose a different style of camp.

Who will enjoy this Merzouga night?

This trip suits you if you want a classic Sahara experience with a human touch. Couples, families, and small groups can all fit the format, and a seven-year-old has taken part in a similar outing connected with the same team. Still, camel mounting and the ride itself may be tiring for very young children or anyone with mobility concerns.

It also works well for independent visitors arriving in Merzouga by bus or car. Pickup and free parking remove two common local transport headaches. The mobile ticket and confirmation at booking make the planning straightforward, but you should still check the meeting details before departure.

You will probably like this trip if you value:

• A small group instead of a large camp
• Local stories and family interaction
• A gentle sunset ride rather than a full-day camel expedition
• Included meals and activities
• A simple tented night with a shared bathroom
• Time for stars, sunrise, and quiet

You may prefer another option if you want a private bathroom, a long camel trek, a luxury tent, or a packed entertainment schedule. The 20-hour duration gives you one night, not a multi-day desert expedition.

Practical details that make the night easier

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. The average booking lead time is 19 days, and the camp holds only 10 people. That small capacity is part of the appeal, but it also means last-minute availability may be limited.

Wear closed shoes or sturdy sandals for the sand, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a warm layer. The tour provides Berber clothing, but that does not replace comfortable personal clothing for sitting on a camel.

Keep valuables to a minimum. You will be moving between the village, camels, and camp, and a small bag is easier to manage than a suitcase. Ask the hosts where to leave larger luggage before you ride out.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the physical demands of climbing onto a camel and sitting during the ride are worth considering before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded, based on local time.

Should you book this camel trek?

I would book it if you want the essential Merzouga desert experience at a fair price and prefer a local, small-group setting to a large commercial camp. The best reasons are the sunset and sunrise rides, the family connection to nomadic life, the included sandboarding, and the evening music around the fire.

I would hesitate only if shared facilities are a deal-breaker or if you want a luxury overnight stay. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded one-night plan that gives you plenty to do without turning the Sahara into a rushed checklist. Pack lightly, confirm your meeting point, and arrive ready for a simple night in the sand.

FAQ

Where does the camel trek take place?

The experience takes place in Merzouga, with the local meeting point in or near Hassi Labied Village.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 3 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is 20 hours.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered if you arrive by bus.

Is parking available for people arriving by car?

Yes. Free parking is available if you drive to the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The camp can fit a maximum of 10 people, and the activity has a maximum capacity of 10 participants.

Is the camel ride included in the price?

Yes. The booking includes one camel per person and a camel guide.

What meals and drinks are included?

Mint tea and snacks, dinner, breakfast, and water at the camp are included. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are not included.

Do I get my own tent?

Yes. The accommodation is a private tent with a shared bathroom.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included, along with Berber music, drums, a campfire, Berber clothing, and a shower after the trip if needed.