Camel Trekking & 1 Night in Merzouga Desert Camp

The best part of this Merzouga camel trek is the change in pace. You leave the meeting point at 5:00 pm, trade roads and buildings for sand, and reach a desert camp in time for sunset. Then come dinner, Berber drumming, a starry sky, sunrise, and breakfast with a wide view over the dunes.

I like two things here: the timing is well chosen, with the ride arranged around sunset and sunrise, and the price includes the main pieces you want for a first Sahara night. Dinner, breakfast, camel riding, sandboarding, and the camp stay are covered. The help from Youssef, especially with mounting the camel, is another useful touch.

The main point to weigh is comfort. The standard camp setup described by one participant had a private tent but a shared toilet and shower. Drinks cost extra, and a camel ride over sand is not a soft seat, so this suits you best if you value the setting more than hotel-style convenience.

Key points to know before you book

• Sunset and sunrise shape the whole trip: The ride is timed so you can reach the high dunes for sunset, then return to the same desert setting early the next morning.
• You sleep in the Erg Chebbi dunes: The camp uses furnished, nomad-style tents, with a more basic standard setup that may include shared bathroom facilities.
• The price covers the essentials: At $57.93 per person, you get dinner, breakfast, camel trekking, the overnight stay, Berber music, and optional sandboarding.
• Youssef is a helpful name to remember: He is praised for assisting with camel mounting and for being flexible when a booking date needed correcting.
• It is a private activity: Only your own group participates, and the tour returns to its original meeting point.
• Bring money for drinks: Beverages are not included, while the meals and main activities are.

Riding out from Merzouga at 5:00 pm

Your meeting point is Mouhou Apartments, about 700 meters from the Merzouga post office. The activity begins at 5:00 pm, with mint tea before you set off. That small pause matters. It gives you time to meet the team, check the timing, and get settled before the camel ride begins.

The first ride lasts about four hours, including the route to the camp and the sunset stop. You will ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the great golden sand area that makes Merzouga famous. The scenery is simple but powerful: broad slopes, soft curves of sand, and very little to distract you from the desert.

Getting onto a camel can be awkward, especially when the animal rises. Youssef is specifically praised for helping with this part, so take the offered assistance rather than trying to manage it alone. Once the camel is standing, the ride becomes a slow, swaying way to see the dunes.

I would not treat this as a fast sightseeing ride. The point is the quiet movement across the sand, not covering a long list of attractions. If you are prone to back pain or dislike sitting for several hours, ask yourself if the setting is worth the physical effort. The information provided does not give a weight limit, age restriction, or detailed mobility guidance, so contact the provider before booking if those points matter to you.

Sunset from the high dunes

The group heads to high dunes near camp for sunset. This is the visual centerpiece of the first evening, and it is worth keeping your camera ready before you reach the top. From a higher dune, the sand rolls away in long bands and the changing light brings out different shades of gold.

You can also take photographs here without rushing. The schedule gives you part of the evening for the sunset stop, rather than treating the dunes as scenery seen only from the camel’s back. Sandboarding is available as an optional activity, so you can add a little motion to the stop if you want something more active.

The sandboarding option is not described in detail, so do not expect a formal lesson or a large equipment setup. It is best viewed as an extra desert activity, not the main reason to choose the tour. Comfortable clothes, secure footwear, and protection from sun and sand will make this part easier, although the supplied details do not specify a required dress code.

A simple camp night with dinner and Berber drums

After sunset, you continue to the furnished camp. The overnight stay is in a private nomad-style tent, giving you your own sleeping space rather than an open sleeping area. This is a good middle ground for someone who wants a desert night without giving up all privacy.

Comfort varies by camp category. The standard setup described for this activity had a private tent with a shared toilet and shower. That is an important detail to confirm if a private bathroom is essential to you. The supplied information does not promise a private bathroom, so ask about the exact tent type when booking.

Dinner is included and features traditional Moroccan food. The meal is part of the appeal, since you are eating at the camp after crossing the dunes rather than simply visiting the desert for an hour. Drinks are not included, so budget separately for anything beyond the provided food.

After dinner, Berber drum music gives the evening a local character. This is not a museum lesson or a staged cultural lecture. It is a relaxed camp gathering, with music, food, and time outdoors. The experience is strongest when you allow the evening to be simple.

On a clear night, the stars are another major reward. Away from the lights of Merzouga, the sky can feel much larger than it does in town. The exact visibility depends on clouds and conditions, so do not treat a perfect star field as guaranteed. Still, the camp location gives you a good chance to spend time looking upward rather than at a phone screen.

Sunrise before breakfast on the second morning

The next morning starts early so you can watch sunrise from the high dune near camp. This is one reason the overnight stay is worth choosing over a short camel ride. You see the desert at a second key time of day, when the air is quiet and the light comes up over the sand.

The sunrise stop is not a rushed drive-by. You wake near the dunes and walk or ride to a high point close to camp. The details do not specify the exact sunrise time, so follow the camp team’s instructions the night before.

After sunrise, breakfast is served in the camp restaurant, which has a panoramic view. Breakfast is included, and the setting adds more value than the meal alone. You can eat while still looking over the dunes, then prepare for the ride back to the meeting point.

The return camel ride takes about three hours and crosses the Erg Chebbi dunes again. If you enjoyed the first ride, this gives you another calm look at the desert. If you found the saddle uncomfortable, the second ride may feel long. The provided details do not list an alternate vehicle transfer, so confirm transportation options ahead of time if you do not want to return by camel.

What the $57.93 price really covers

At $57.93 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to a Sahara camp night. You are not paying only for a camel ride. The cost includes the route into the dunes, the overnight camp, dinner, breakfast, Berber drumming, the sunset and sunrise stops, and the return ride.

That package makes sense if you are already in Merzouga and want the main desert experience without arranging each part yourself. The guide team handles the meeting, camel departure, camp arrival, meals, and return. You can focus on the views instead of coordinating a separate camel operator, camp, and meal plan.

The value depends on your comfort expectations. A private tent sounds more personal, but the standard option may still use shared bathroom and shower facilities. Drinks are extra, and the optional sandboarding activity does not replace the camel trek. I would compare the camp category carefully before booking, especially if you are choosing between standard and more comfortable accommodation.

The activity is recommended by 99 percent of its published participants and carries a 4.9 rating from 210 reviews. Those numbers suggest a strong record, particularly for organization, food, and the overall desert setting. I would still read the accommodation details closely rather than assuming a high rating means luxury.

Private groups and a simple meeting plan

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That is useful if you want to move at your own pace within the fixed schedule, take photographs without a large crowd, or share the experience with family and friends.

The start and finish point are the same. You meet at Mouhou Apartments, Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, at 5:00 pm, and return there after the morning camel ride. The location is near public transportation, according to the provided information, though no specific transport route is given.

Hotel pick-up is also offered in the tour description, but the formal meeting point is the apartment address. Confirm the exact pick-up arrangement before the start, especially if you are staying somewhere else in Merzouga. A short check can prevent confusion at sunset.

Confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you need help mounting a camel, have limited mobility, or need a particular bathroom setup, contact Morocco Sahara Exploration before paying.

The small details that improve the night

I would keep your packing light. You need enough for one night, plus a phone or camera, sun protection, and any personal items you need after the camel ride. The tour includes meals but not drinks, so ask how beverages are handled and bring extra money.

Wear clothes that allow easy movement and are comfortable for sitting on a camel. Sand can get into shoes and bags, so a simple, secure day bag is more practical than loose luggage. The tour does not state a luggage storage policy, so arrange your larger bags before departure.

Keep your sunset expectations realistic. The desert is not a theme park with a long list of set activities. Its strongest moments are quiet ones: the slow ride, the high dune, the evening drums, the stars, and the first light over the sand.

The food is one of the better practical features. Dinner and breakfast are already part of the plan, and traditional Moroccan dishes make the camp feel like more than a place to sleep. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not say what substitutions are available, so ask before arrival.

Who should book this Merzouga desert night?

This activity suits you if you want a first taste of the Sahara with the main arrangements handled. It works especially well for couples, friends, and private family groups who want shared time in the dunes without joining a large mixed group.

It is also a good choice if photographs matter to you. The schedule gives you two strong light periods, sunset and sunrise, plus time for dune views, sandboarding, and the night sky. The high dunes near camp provide the best viewpoints mentioned in the plan.

You may want a different option if you need hotel-level facilities, dislike animal riding, or require a private bathroom. The standard camp setup may be basic, and the two camel rides together add several hours in the saddle.

The schedule is short enough to fit into a Merzouga stay, but it is not a quick evening activity. The first day takes about four hours, and the second takes about three. Plan your day around the 5:00 pm departure and do not schedule something tight immediately afterward.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want the classic Merzouga experience at a reasonable price: camel ride, sunset, desert dinner, music, stars, sunrise, breakfast, and a return ride. The private group format and Youssef’s reported hands-on help are useful advantages.

Before paying, confirm the exact camp category and bathroom arrangement. If you are comfortable with a simple private tent and shared facilities, the $57.93 price offers a lot. If you expect a private bathroom or resort-level comfort, this may leave you disappointed.

The strongest reason to choose it is the timing. You do not only visit the dunes at sunset. You sleep there, wake before sunrise, and see the sand change from evening gold to morning light. That is the part that turns a camel ride into a real desert night.

FAQ

Where does the camel trek start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 5:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two days. The first day is about four hours, and the second day is about three hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes breakfast, dinner, the camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the overnight desert camp, sunset and sunrise viewing, Berber drumming, and optional sandboarding.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The camel ride back after breakfast returns you to the original meeting point.