Merzouga Camel Ride & Overnight Desert Camps

Sleep beneath the Sahara stars. This private Merzouga outing takes you by camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, dinner, music, and a night in a Berber-style camp. I like the sunset camel ride, which gives the trip its classic Sahara feel, and the simple evening of mint tea, dinner, and Berber music around the fire. The main drawback is uneven service: some visitors receive little explanation about the schedule, and camp bathroom standards may disappoint.

You meet the team in Merzouga at about 5 p.m., park your car for free, and ride roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes each way. I like that this is a private activity for your own group, with breakfast, dinner, sandboarding, a private tent, and camel transport included. You should also know that the standard and luxury camps differ, and the price does not include drinks, a scarf, a 4×4 return, or quad biking.

Key points to know before you book

• Sunset comes during the camel ride: The usual departure is around 5 p.m., with time to watch the sun drop behind the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• The overnight stay is simple but atmospheric: Expect mint tea, dinner, Berber music, a fire, and time to walk on the dunes or watch the stars.
• A private tent is included: You can choose between a standard Berber camp and a luxury desert camp, but confirm which option your price covers.
• Sandboarding costs nothing extra: A board is provided, giving you another way to enjoy the dunes after arriving at camp.
• The return is by camel unless you pay extra: A 4×4 ride back to Merzouga is optional, as are ATV quad rides.
• Camp conditions can vary: Clean tents, comfortable beds, blankets, and hot water are possible, but bathroom upkeep and meal quality have not been consistent.

What the $93.05 price really covers

At $93.05 per person, this trip offers good value if you want the basic Sahara package in one neat overnight outing. You receive camel rides to and from camp, a private tent, dinner, breakfast, mint tea, sandboarding, and free parking. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can otherwise add up.

The price is especially fair for a private activity. Your group participates on its own rather than joining a large shared excursion. That gives you more control over pauses, photos, and the pace of the evening, though the camel caravan still follows the practical rhythm of the animals and camp schedule.

The value depends heavily on the tent category. Two camp choices are offered: a standard Berber camp and a luxury desert camp. The supplied details do not clearly say that both cost the same, so ask before paying which one is included. A luxury tent may be the better choice if comfort matters, while the standard option suits you if the dunes and evening atmosphere are the main reason you came.

The package does not include drinks, a scarf, a 4×4 ride, or an ATV quad activity. Bring or buy water before departure, and plan for the scarf separately if you want protection from sun and blowing sand. If sitting on a camel for close to two hours sounds uncomfortable, the optional 4×4 return could be useful.

Meeting in Merzouga at 5 p.m.

The trip begins in Merzouga town, not at a distant pickup point. One member of the team meets you at a guesthouse, shows you where to leave your car, and takes you to the camels. Free parking is included, a practical benefit if you are driving through southeastern Morocco.

The stated start time is 5 p.m., though the exact camel departure can depend on the day and season. The usual ride lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes each way. You should arrive ready to go, with water, sun protection, a phone or camera, and clothing you can sit in comfortably.

This is not a quick photo stop. You will spend real time on the camel, and the saddle position can become tiring. The long ride is part of the appeal, since it lets you watch the dunes change color and gives the evening a slower pace. It is also the part most likely to test your legs and patience.

Riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset

The camel ride is the heart of the outing. You leave Merzouga and move through the Erg Chebbi dunes, with the sunset appearing during the journey. The ride is listed as about 1 hour and 30 minutes in the itinerary, while the inclusions describe about 1 hour and 40 minutes each way. In practice, plan on a substantial ride rather than a short loop.

The pace lets you look around instead of rushing from one viewpoint to another. Sand, light, and shadow do most of the work here. Stop when the group reaches a good sunset point, take your pictures, and enjoy the quiet before continuing to camp.

Animal treatment also matters on a camel outing. One particularly positive account praised the camels as well treated. That is reassuring, but you should still watch how the animals are handled and tell the guide if you need help mounting, dismounting, or adjusting your position.

The guide support can be friendly and warm. Hassan is praised by name for his humor and for making the sandboarding part more enjoyable. Still, the amount of spoken instruction may vary. If you need to know when dinner starts, where the bathrooms are, or how the next morning works, ask directly rather than waiting for a formal announcement.

Arriving at camp with tea, dinner, and music

At camp, you are welcomed with mint tea. It is a small ritual, but it helps mark the change from riding across the dunes to settling in for the night. You then have dinner, followed by traditional Berber music, with drums and singing around the fire described as a memorable part of the evening.

The camp is meant to feel festive without losing the desert setting. After dinner and music, you are free to walk on the dunes and look at the stars. That free time is valuable because the scheduled parts of the evening are only half the experience. The best moments may come when you step away from the fire and let the Sahara grow quiet.

Dinner has received mixed impressions. Some meals have been called delicious, excellent, and filling. Others have been described as average and lacking flavor. I would treat the meal as a convenient included dinner rather than booking this trip mainly for food.

Drinks are not included, so bring enough water or confirm where you can buy it. The listing also says a scarf is not included. A scarf can help with sun, dust, and the cool feel of the evening, so arrange one before the camel ride.

Standard or luxury tent for the night

The overnight stay gives you two broad choices. A standard Berber camp offers the traditional tent setting, while the luxury desert camp is aimed at greater comfort. The exact difference in furnishings is not set out, so ask what your selected category includes before you confirm.

The better reports describe large tents, comfortable beds, blankets, and, at least in one case, toilets with hot water. A luxury tent has been praised for its high-quality equipment and comfortable setup. Those details matter after a long camel ride, especially if you are not used to sleeping outdoors.

The weaker reports focus on the bathroom. One person described the facilities as extremely unpleasant, while another found the camp clean and satisfactory. This is the clearest practical warning attached to the outing. If bathroom standards are important to you, ask the operator for current information about the facilities and consider the luxury option if it offers better upkeep.

The tents themselves appear to be a stronger point than the food or information flow. You get a private tent, which is a welcome feature for couples, families, or friends who want their own space. Still, private does not always mean polished, so keep your expectations tied to the camp category you book.

Sandboarding and free time on the dunes

Sandboarding is included, and there is no extra admission charge for the activity. You can use the board around camp and try sliding down the dunes. It is a welcome addition because it gives you something active to do after the camel ride.

The dunes are steep enough in places for a fun run, but climbing back up takes effort. The activity works best if you treat it as casual play, not as a full sports session. Hassan is specifically praised for helping make this part entertaining.

Your free time also gives you the chance to walk on the dunes and watch the stars. There is no separate guided astronomy program listed, so the quality of the night sky depends on conditions and how much light the camp produces. Take a moment away from the tents if you want the quietest view.

Quad biking is available as an optional extra. It is not part of the $93.05 price, so ask about the cost before agreeing. I would choose one main activity if you want a calm evening, or add the quad ride if you prefer a busier, motorized outing.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back

The next morning begins early so you can watch the sunrise behind the Erg Chebbi dunes. Sunrise is one of the strongest reasons to stay overnight rather than taking a shorter sunset ride. The colors shift quickly, so have your phone or camera ready and confirm the wake-up plan the night before.

Breakfast follows sunrise. Like dinner, it is included, and the available comments describe it as filling in some cases. Once breakfast is finished, you ride the camels back to Merzouga town.

The return ride is listed as about 1 hour and 40 minutes. That means the second camel journey can feel harder than the first, especially after sleeping in a tent and waking early. If you know you will not enjoy another long ride, ask in advance about the optional 4×4 return from camp.

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Merzouga. It is described as a 12 to 20 hour experience, with the overnight portion accounting for the wide range. You can also request more than one night at camp by contacting the operator.

Service, communication, and small booking cautions

Communication is handled through WhatsApp, with the supplied contact number listed as +212 772905763. Confirmation is sent when you book, and the operator may contact you before the trip to confirm the meeting point. Keep your phone available on the day of departure.

The largest service weakness is not friendliness. Several positive accounts describe a welcoming team, helpful staff, and a pleasant guide. The issue is direction. Some people received little information about what would happen next, so ask for a clear outline covering camel departure, sunset timing, dinner, music, bathrooms, sunrise, breakfast, and the return.

The activity is private, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The operator says the experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 5 p.m. start time. Inside that 24-hour window, no refund is provided and changes are not accepted. One unusual restriction is written in French: French customers are asked not to book, with a warning that such reservations may be canceled. If that applies to you, clarify the policy directly before making payment.

Who will enjoy this Merzouga overnight trip

I would choose this tour if you want the classic Sahara night without arranging a separate camel operator, camp, dinner, and breakfast. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private tent and a private activity.

It also fits people who want several simple desert moments in one package: sunset, a camel ride, sandboarding, dinner, music, stars, sunrise, and breakfast. The schedule is compact, but it gives you both evening and morning in the dunes.

I would be more cautious if you need strong organization, refined dining, or consistently clean public facilities. The bathroom reports are too mixed to ignore, and the meal may be basic. You should also think twice if you dislike long periods on camelback.

Should you book this desert camp?

Book it if your priority is the full sunset-to-sunrise Sahara setting at a reasonable price. The camel ride, private tent, sandboarding, meals, tea, music, and free parking make $93.05 a solid package, especially for a private group.

Before booking, confirm the standard or luxury camp, ask about current bathroom conditions, and decide if you want a 4×4 return. If you can accept a simple camp and uneven communication, this should deliver the desert moments you came for. If comfort and polished service matter more than the dunes, choose the luxury option or compare it with a higher-end camp.

FAQ

Where does the Merzouga camel ride start?

The activity starts in Merzouga, Morocco. A team member meets you at a guesthouse, helps you find free parking, and takes you to the camel departure point.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 5 p.m. The camel ride usually begins around then, with the sunset taking place during the journey into the Erg Chebbi dunes.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride to camp takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the return ride takes about the same amount of time. The itinerary also describes the first ride as approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner, breakfast, mint tea, and the camel rides to and from camp are included. Drinks are not included.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Free sandboarding is included. ATV quad biking is available as an optional extra activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.