Agadir to Sahara Desert: Overnight Berber Camp & Legzira Beach

Summary

Berber villages, wild Atlantic coast, camel market and desert camp from Agadir

You’ll travel from Agadir through Berber villages and along wild Atlantic beaches before reaching Guelmim’s camel market and finally sleeping in nomad tents among Saharan dunes. Expect mint tea at sunset, music by the fire, local flavors for dinner—and moments of quiet you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

We left Agadir early, barely awake but kind of excited — you know that feeling when you don’t really know what’s ahead? The van rattled through little Berber villages where old men waved from doorways and kids chased chickens. Our guide, Youssef, pointed out Tiznit’s ancient walls as we passed. He told us a story about the silver jewelry here, but honestly I was distracted by the smell of fresh bread coming from a bakery window. We stopped for coffee right on the Atlantic — wind salty and strong enough to tangle your hair if you opened the window even a crack.

Legzira Beach was next. It’s famous for these red stone arches that look like they’ve been carved by giants (or maybe just a million years of waves). The sand gets everywhere — still finding it in my shoes — but it felt good between my toes. Lunch in Sidi Ifni was grilled sardines and chips at this noisy café where everyone seemed to know each other. Li laughed when I tried to order in French; I probably butchered it. After that we drove to Guelmim, which Youssef called “the gate of the desert.” There were camels everywhere, chewing lazily near the road. We had sweet mint tea at a dusty stall while he explained how traders used to cross all the way to Timbuktu from here.

The last stretch to El Borj was bumpy — kind of like being inside a washing machine — but then suddenly there were dunes stretching out forever. At camp, they handed us mint tea and little pastries while the sun dropped behind golden sand. The air smelled like firewood and something sweet I couldn’t place. Dinner was tagine around a fire with Sahraoui music (the drums echo out across the dunes; you feel it more than hear it). I lay awake later listening to laughter outside my tent and watching stars spill across the sky. Still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert tour from Agadir to dunes

• Depart from Agadir
• Visit Berber villages en route
• Stop at Tiznit town
• Drive to Legzira Beach
• Explore Legzira Beach
• Drive to Sidi Ifni town
• Lunch in Sidi Ifni (not included)
• Drive to Guelmim city
• Visit Guelmim and camel market
• Tea break in Guelmim
• Drive to El Borj village
• Travel to sand dunes camp
• Enjoy mint tea and pastries
• Watch sunset on sand dunes
• Dinner and Sahraoui music show
• Overnight in nomad tents

Day 2 — Return to Agadir via Tiznit

• Breakfast at camp
• Depart camp for Agadir
• Stop at oasis
• Visit Tiznit city
• Tour old medina and souk
• See spring and ancient walls
• Continue journey back to Agadir

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Agadir to the desert camp?

It takes most of the day with stops; expect around 6-7 hours including breaks at Tiznit, Legzira Beach, Sidi Ifni, and Guelmim before reaching El Borj village and then driving 45 minutes on rough roads to camp.

Is dinner included at the desert camp?

Yes, dinner is included at the camp along with breakfast the next morning.

What do we see on this overnight desert tour from Agadir?

You’ll visit Berber villages, Tiznit town, Legzira Beach with its famous arches, Sidi Ifni for lunch (not included), Guelmim camel market area, and spend a night in nomad tents at El Borj dunes.

Are there private tents at the desert camp?

Yes, overnight accommodation is in private nomad tents at the camp among the sand dunes.

Is lunch included during this day trip from Agadir?

No, lunch is not included; you’ll stop in Sidi Ifni where you can buy lunch yourself.

What kind of food is served for dinner?

Dinner typically features Moroccan dishes such as tagine along with mint tea and pastries.

Is pickup available from hotels in Agadir?

The tour starts from Agadir; hotel pickup is included unless otherwise specified when booking.

Can children join this overnight desert tour?

Yes, children can join; infant seats are available and child rates apply when sharing with two paying adults.

What’s included

Your overnight trip includes pickup from Agadir, all transportation between stops like Tiznit and Legzira Beach, private tent accommodation among Saharan dunes near El Borj village plus dinner by campfire with live Sahraoui music and breakfast before heading back through mountain scenery toward Agadir again.