Are you planning a trip to the Sahara Desert?
One of the unmissable highlights of any trip to Morocco is experiencing the vast Saharan sand dunes, and the luxury of camping under the starry desert sky.
If you’re considering such an adventure, there are a few key factors to keep in mind – and that’s also why it’s best to book with a tour operator like Fleewinter.
How long should you spend in the Sahara Desert?
A common question we receive is, “How much time do I need for a Sahara Desert trip?”
The answer isn’t straightforward. First and foremost, the Sahara Desert is a considerable distance from Marrakech. Attempting a one-night trip can be a bit impractical, as there’s so much to see along the way that you wouldn’t want to miss!
So, how much time IS ideal? There’s no point going all that way and coming away with FOMO!
In a nutshell, we recommend at least three days and two nights.
- Start by breaking the journey around Agdz (pronounced Ag-dez), spending the first night there.
- Enjoy a night in the Sahara Desert, stargaze, climb dunes, enjoy the immaculate surroundings
- Return to Marrakech, having explored one of true wildernesses of the world
Keep in mind that this journey involves a fair amount of driving, which is unavoidable.
During this three-day trip, you’ll spend around 4 to 5 hours driving on the first two days and approximately 8 hours on the return to Marrakech.
While it may sound like a lot of driving, nobody has ever regretted the experience. The more time you have, the better, as it allows for stops along the way.
You’ll pass through beautiful landscapes, starting with the Tizin Tishka pass, explore dilapidated kasbahs like Kasbah Ain’t Benhaddou, and discover lesser-visited kasbahs that are worth a visit.
If that much driving in a short space of time is a switch off, then take a more relaxed Sahara trip. Why not spend one night on the way to the desert, one night in the desert, and another night on the return journey, breaking up the driving time.
Extended Desert Trips and Circuits
Many travelers plan longer trips that circle from Marrakech through the Tizin Tishka pass, toward Ait Ben Haddou and Zagora, and then continue to the coast.
In this scenario, it’s recommended to break the trip with a one-night stay around Ait Ben Haddou or Agdz before reaching the Sahara – after all, you want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination!
On the way back, consider another stop on the desert’s edge to maximize your time in the desert before continuing through the carpet-making and saffron-growing areas to Taroudant.
Taroudant, often referred to as “Little Marrakech,” offers an authentic experience, relatively free from mass tourism.
Alternatively, start from Marrakech, travel to Fes, and then drive toward Skoura and the Dades Valley, ultimately reaching the more famous part of the Sahara, where you stay among the big dunes of Chebbi.
From Chebbi, it’s a 9-hour drive to Fes. This journey can also be done in reverse, starting in Fes and finishing in Marrakech or continuing to the coast – it’s entirely up to you, and don’t forget, everything at Fleewinter is tailor-made.
Having more time when planning a Sahara Desert trip is certainly advantageous, allowing for a deeper immersion in local culture.
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?
Choosing which part of the desert to visit is a choice best made with some known quantities in mind.
- The route you plan to take.
- The amount of time you have.
- Your preference for experiencing the Sahara with more tourists or in a lesser-known area.
In Morocco, there are two vast dune areas to explore: Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga in the east, and Erg Chigaga in the south.
Our personal recommendation often lean toward Erg Chigaga. Accessing these dunes isn’t as straightforward, requiring a 4×4 and taking you off the beaten track for a truly adventurous experience – so if having an amazing experience without taking days out of your trip to travel, this is our recommendation.
The drive to the big dunes takes around two hours. We highly recommend spending two nights in Erg Chigaga to get the most out of your stay – another reason to pick a slightly closer dune.
And where will you stay?
You can choose between luxury camps and more basic nomadic camps or even combine both at Chigaga – chat to your Fleewinter specialist about what might be the best combination for you.
Longer camel treks are also possible, offering endless possibilities to explore the desert. It takes time to fully appreciate the Sahara, but it’s worth it, especially if you plan to visit only once in your lifetime.
Erg Chebbi, on the other hand, is better known and easily combined with trips from Marrakech or Fes, located halfway between the two cities.
Camps near Erg Chebbi are not as isolated as those in Erg Chigaga due to the easy accessibility of the dunes. While a fantastic experience, it may lack the wilderness feel.
If time isn’t a constraint, then consider combining visits to both dune areas to compare their unique charms!
In the end, the most important aspect of visiting the Sahara is the ability to slow down, disconnect, and truly relax.
It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vast desert, savour its silent beauty, and reflect on the wonders of the world.
What to Do in the Desert?
The Sahara offers a multitude of activities to make your visit unforgettable.
Go camel trekking, sand-boarding, for guided walks, dune climbing, take lunch in shaded desert spots, enjoy visits to the nomads, watch the sunset from the dunes, and enjoy informal music and drumming around the campfire.
Yet, for many, the real charm lies in slowing down, savouring the vast empty vistas, and taking a moment to think and reflect. This is an exceptional break from the hustle and bustle of life.
