Overnight stay in desert camp & Camel trekking in the Sahara

Erg Chebbi is the main event here: you ride a camel from Merzouga into the Sahara, spend the night among the dunes, then wake for sunrise before riding back. The evening brings tagine, mint tea, Berber drums, and a sky full of stars when conditions are clear.

I like the private tent and the simple rhythm of the trip. You get a real night in the desert rather than a quick photo stop, plus breakfast, dinner, tea, a local guide, and a shower at the meeting point. The guides, including Ahmed and Ishmael, are praised for being warm and helpful.

The main caution is timing and comfort. You may wait at the meeting point before setting off, and a camel ride of around three hours can feel long on a hard saddle. Sandboarding is advertised, but equipment was not always visible at the camp, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

Key points to know before you book

• A full night in Erg Chebbi: You leave Merzouga by camel and sleep in a private tent at an equipped desert camp.
• Sunset and sunrise are built into the plan: You walk to a high dune for both, weather and energy permitting.
• Dinner comes with music: Tagine, breakfast, mint tea, and traditional Berber drums are included.
• The tour is private: Only your own group takes part, rather than joining a large shared departure.
• The ride can be demanding: Allow roughly three hours for the camel journey into the desert, with another ride back in the morning.
• Sandboarding may vary: It is part of the advertised experience, but boards may not always be available at camp.

From Riad Akabar to the Erg Chebbi dunes

Your meeting point is Riad Akabar in Merzouga. The visit begins with a cup of Berber tea while you get ready for the camel ride, a useful pause before leaving town and a chance to meet the local guide.

The departure window is roughly 4 pm to 5:30 pm. Arriving early is sensible, but do not assume that arriving at 4 pm means you will be on a camel at 4 pm. The camel departure may happen later, and the waiting time is part of the loose desert schedule.

That delay can be frustrating if you are watching the clock. It can also work in your favor, since the aim is to reach the camp and the high dunes near sunset rather than race into the desert in full afternoon heat.

The ride takes you toward the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The route is the heart of the experience, but you should set your expectations correctly. A camel moves at a steady walk, and a journey lasting around three hours is not a short photo ride.

What a three-hour camel ride feels like

The camel trek gives you time to watch Merzouga fade behind you and see the dunes change as the light softens. You are not simply being driven to a camp. You are crossing the sand in the old-fashioned way, with a local camel guide leading the group.

That said, camel riding is not automatically comfortable. The saddle can put pressure on your legs and seat, and the repeated motion may tire you. Wear loose clothing, bring water, and keep your day bag small. The information supplied for the tour does not specify luggage storage or camel seating arrangements, so ask at the meeting point if you have a large bag.

Families can take part, and an eight-year-old completed the ride with a parent without finding the journey too long. Still, children and adults have different levels of patience and comfort, so consider the ride length before booking for a young child.

The private format helps. You are traveling only with your own group, so the pace is less tied to strangers. It also gives you a better chance to ask the guide for help when mounting, dismounting, or adjusting your position.

Sunset from the high dunes

After reaching camp, you walk to a high dune to watch the sun go down. This is the best time for photographs, as the low light brings out the curves and shadows in the Erg Chebbi sand.

The walk itself may be more tiring than it sounds after the camel ride. Sand gives way under your feet, and climbing a tall dune takes effort. You do not need to treat the climb as a race. Take the time you need and remember that the point is the view, not reaching the top first.

Sunset is also when the desert becomes quiet. There are no town streets or museum rooms to fill the evening. You have open sand, a camp, and changing light. That simplicity is the real value of the trip.

If photographs matter to you, keep your phone or camera accessible, but protect it from blowing sand. The supplied details do not state that the camp has charging facilities, so arrive with devices charged.

Your private tent and an evening of tagine

The camp provides a private tent rather than a shared sleeping space. That gives you more privacy and makes the overnight stay feel less like a group excursion. The tents are described as comfortable and equipped, though the details do not specify the exact bedding, bathroom setup, or power arrangements.

Dinner includes a traditional tagine, a Moroccan meal suited to a cool desert evening, followed by mint tea. Breakfast is served the next morning. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before departure or arrange your own midday food separately.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to the experience. One especially positive account highlights the meals and the friendly people at camp. That is important because dinner is not a side detail here. After a long camel ride, a hot meal gives the evening its shape.

Traditional Berber drums provide the entertainment. You may also have the chance to join in around the fire. The music, tea, and meal offer a more grounded evening than a camp that relies only on a staged show.

The clear-sky night is another highlight. If the weather cooperates, stars appear with unusual force away from Merzouga’s lights. This is one reason the overnight format earns its price. A sunset excursion would give you a fine view, but it would not give you the quiet night and early morning that make the desert feel different.

Air conditioning is not included. That matters most if you expect hotel-style climate control. The desert camp is a basic outdoor stay, even with a private tent, so pack for changing temperatures and ask what facilities are available when you arrive.

Sandboarding: a useful extra, not a guarantee

Sandboarding is listed as part of the experience and can add a playful break to the serious business of camel riding. The high dunes around camp offer the right setting for a slide, especially if you enjoy a little activity after arriving.

But you should not book this trip mainly for sandboarding. Equipment was not always available at camp, so the practical experience may depend on what is on hand that day. Ask the guide about boards before you leave the meeting point if this matters to you.

The same advice applies to optional four-wheel-drive outings and ATVs. A 4×4 car and quad or buggy biking are not included in the $69.79 price. They are separate activities, so confirm the extra cost and schedule rather than assuming they form part of the overnight package.

Sunrise, shower, and the camel ride back

The next morning starts early if you want to see sunrise. You walk to the high dune beside camp and watch the first light spread across the sand, then return for breakfast.

This is a strong reason to stay overnight. Sunrise offers a different mood from sunset, with cooler air and longer shadows. It also gives you a second chance at photographs if the previous evening was cloudy or rushed.

After breakfast, you have a break and can take a shower at the meeting point. The supplied details do not say that showers are available at the desert camp itself, so do not expect a full hotel bathroom in your tent. The shower in Merzouga is especially welcome after the camel ride and a night in the sand.

You then mount the camels and ride back to the meeting point in Merzouga. The activity ends where it began, with free parking available there. The return ride means the tour is a real two-way trek, not a camel transfer in one direction followed by a vehicle pickup.

Is $69.79 a fair price?

At $69.79 per person, the package offers solid value if you want the classic Merzouga desert experience without paying for a luxury camp. Dinner, breakfast, tea and coffee, camel hire, a local guide, taxes, parking, a private tent, and a shower at the meeting point are included.

The cost becomes more attractive when you add up what is included in the overnight stay. You are paying for the camel journey, two desert views, a meal, breakfast, music, a bed, and the time spent in the dunes. A short camel ride with no overnight stay would give you less of the atmosphere.

The price does not cover lunch, air conditioning, a 4×4 excursion, or ATV and buggy rides. These exclusions are fair for a budget package, but they can raise the final bill if you want a more active or more comfortable trip.

The tour is also less polished than a tightly timed hotel excursion. Waiting before departure and uncertainty about sandboards are small issues, but they matter if you prefer exact schedules and guaranteed equipment. I see this as a good-value cultural and outdoor experience, not a luxury desert retreat.

Who will enjoy this Sahara night most?

I would choose this trip if you want to sleep in the desert, ride a camel for a meaningful distance, and enjoy a traditional meal and music without arranging several separate services. It suits couples, families with older children, and small private groups that value time together.

It is also a good fit if you care more about sunset, sunrise, stars, and local hospitality than about hotel comforts. Ahmed and Ishmael are specifically associated with the warm, helpful service that makes a basic camp easier to enjoy.

I would hesitate if you dislike animals, long rides, sand, early mornings, or simple facilities. The tour is not designed around air conditioning or a short transfer. You should also think twice if sandboarding is your main goal, since boards may not be available.

The experience receives a 4.9 rating from 100 reviews and is recommended by 99 percent of bookers. Those figures suggest strong overall satisfaction, but the practical details still matter more than the score: you need to accept the camel ride, flexible timing, and basic camp setup.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is available near public transportation, and most people can participate. It is a private activity, so only your group takes part.

The tour is booked an average of 36 days ahead, which is a useful sign that you should not leave it until the last moment during a busy visit to Morocco. Since the experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if it cannot run.

You can cancel for a full refund up to three full days before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within three days are not refundable or accepted, so keep that rule in mind before fixing the rest of your Merzouga plans.

Should you book this desert camp experience?

Book it if your picture of the Sahara includes a slow camel ride, a high dune at sunset, a hot tagine, drums after dark, and sunrise over the sand. The private tent, included meals, and return shower give the $69.79 price real substance.

Skip it if you want a luxury camp, guaranteed sandboarding equipment, or a tightly controlled timetable. For everyone else, this is a practical way to turn a Merzouga visit into a proper overnight desert experience. Arrive ready for a long camel ride, keep your expectations simple, and let the stars do much of the work.

FAQ

Where does the camel tour start?

The tour starts at Riad Akabar in Merzouga, Morocco.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Merzouga after the morning camel ride.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The camel ride into the desert can take about three hours, followed by the overnight stay and the ride back the next morning.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in this private activity.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not included.

Is a private tent included?

Yes. The package includes a private tent at the equipped desert camp.

Are camel rides included?

Yes. One camel per person and a local camel guide are included.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is advertised as part of the experience, but equipment may not always be available at the camp.

Are showers available?

A shower is included at the meeting point in Merzouga. The supplied information does not confirm a shower inside the desert camp.

Can the tour be canceled for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least three full days before the local start time. Cancellations within three days are not refundable. If bad weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants cancels the activity, you can receive another date or a full refund.