2-Day Erg Chigaga Sahara Tour with Luxury Camp Stay

Summary

Private Sahara Desert Adventure & Nomad Life Experience

If you want to experience real Sahara life—riding camels at sunset, sharing tea with nomads, sleeping in comfort under desert stars—this trip brings you there without any hassle. You’ll see places most travelers miss and get stories you’ll actually want to tell when you get home.

What’s the experience like?

First thing you’ll notice as we leave the city behind is how the air changes—dusty, dry, and somehow sweet from wild herbs. Our driver, Youssef, pulled over at a tiny Berber village where the locals offered us saffron tea. The saffron here isn’t just for tourists; it’s grown right outside their doors. We sipped slowly, watching an old man sort bright red threads on a faded rug. There’s a small WC here—basic but clean enough for a quick stop.

The last real town before the desert is Foum Zguid. It’s a bit of a scramble: everyone grabbing bottled water, filling up the tank, and picking up snacks (the little shop by the gas station sells homemade almond cookies). Lunch was simple—grilled chicken and flatbread—but honestly, it hit the spot. After that, it’s just us and the open road.

Once you pass Foum Zguid, things get wild fast. The paved road disappears. We bounced along rocky tracks for hours—sometimes stopping to check out fossil fragments or just to stretch our legs. The silence out here is unreal. At Iriki Lake (which is dry most of the year), I picked up a smooth stone shaped like an egg. Our guide pointed out where Paris-Dakar rally cars used to race through these dunes. Eventually, we reached Erg Chigaga. The dunes look endless—soft gold under the late sun.

At camp, they welcomed us with mint tea (Moroccan hospitality never fails). The tents are way more comfortable than I expected—proper beds, even a bathroom with hot water if you’re patient. After settling in, we climbed onto camels and rode out to the biggest dune around. Watching the sunset from up there… well, words don’t really do it justice. Back at camp, dinner was served under lanterns—tagine bubbling away—and then music started up around the fire. The drumming goes late into the night if you want to join in. When everything finally quiets down, you step outside and see more stars than you ever thought possible.

Next morning came early—worth it for sunrise on the dunes. Breakfast was fresh bread and honey with strong coffee. On our way back, we stopped at a nomad family’s tent for tea; their goats wandered nearby and kids peeked out shyly from behind woven blankets. Later, we visited Taznakht village where women weave carpets in their homes—a few tried to teach me how to tie knots (I’m hopeless). Last stop was Agadir n’Ifri, an old Berber granary that worked like a community bank centuries ago. We learned about its clever design from our guide before heading back toward Agadir city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sahara Desert Adventure and Camp

• Visit Berber villages and try saffron tea
• Stop at last village before Sahara for lunch and supplies
• Drive 3 hours through Sahara stones and dunes to Erg Chigaga
• Arrive at camp, camel ride to dunes for sunset, dinner and local music
• Early sunrise on dunes, breakfast, visit nomads for tea
• Optional stop at village famous for carpet production
• Visit old Agadir (Berber banking system) and lunch, return to Agadir

Top questions

Is this Erg Chigaga tour suitable for families with young kids?

Absolutely! The camp is family-friendly and there are options for prams or strollers. Kids usually love the camel ride and sand dunes.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag or towels?

No need—your luxury tent comes with proper bedding and towels provided by the camp.

Are meals included during the trip?

Yes, all main meals are included: lunch on both days plus dinner and breakfast at camp.

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

Definitely! Just let us know your dietary needs when booking so we can arrange suitable meals.

How long is the drive from Agadir to Erg Chigaga?

The drive takes most of the day with stops along the way for food, photos, and sightseeing—it’s part of the adventure!

What’s included

Your private tour covers all transport in a comfortable vehicle, full meals (including local specialties), overnight stay in your own luxury tent at camp, camel ride at sunset, guided visits to Berber villages and nomad families, plus plenty of stops for photos and exploring along the way.