ATV Riding in Merzouga: Drive Your Own Buggy

You operate the buggy yourself, not ride as a passenger.

ATV riding in Merzouga puts you behind the wheel of your own buggy across the Sahara's sand dunes for about an hour. A professional guide teaches you to drive, then leads you through the desert with a stop at the highest dunes for sandboarding and views. Water, helmet and sandboards are included. Children from age 6 can ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Buggy ride and sandboarding adventure

• Meet guide at starting point
• Learn to drive the buggy
• Explore sand dunes by buggy
• Stop for pictures and sandboarding
• Return to starting point

The experience

How does a buggy handle on sand, and what's the learning curve? The guide meets you at the starting point and walks through the basics of driving before you head out across the dunes. You're in control the whole time: carving your own line through the golden sand, reading the terrain, feeling how the buggy responds. It's not a passive tour where someone else does the driving. You're the one making the decisions and managing the vehicle.

The route includes a stop at the high dunes where the sand piles up tallest. This is where sandboarding happens. You leave the buggy and ride a board down the slope, then climb back up to rejoin the guide. The timing works around sunrise or sunset depending on which departure you choose, so the light hits the dunes at their most dramatic. Water is provided throughout, and the helmet is non-negotiable safety gear.

The whole experience runs about 70 minutes from start to finish, including the drive instruction, the dune exploration, the sandboarding stop and the return to the starting point. Children from age 6 can participate. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and several other languages, so language barriers don't slow things down. Pickup is included if you need transport to the starting point.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of language.
• helmet.
• water.
• sandboards for the dune stop.
• stop at the high dunes for views and photos.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 60 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Infant (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Merzouga dunes tours

Is this one for you?If your guide speaks your language, you'll follow the instruction and the route without strain. The guide offers commentary in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and several other languages, so pick the departure that matches your comfort level.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years); Infant (6 to 9 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Do I need any driving experience to control the buggy?

No prior experience is required. The guide teaches you how to drive at the starting point before you head into the dunes, so the instruction is built into the activity.

What happens at the high dunes stop?

At the highest dunes, you leave the buggy and sandboard down the slope. It's a break from driving and a chance to take in the views before heading back to the starting point.

Is water really included, or is that just marketing?

Water is included throughout the 70 minutes. The desert is hot and the activity is physical, so hydration is part of the package.

What if I'm not comfortable with the pace or the terrain?

The guide is there the whole time and can adjust the route or speed based on how you're handling the buggy. The activity suits all physical fitness levels, and the terrain is sand dunes, not rocky or technical ground.