Erg Chebbi Desert Camp: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & Sunrise

Camel ride at sunset, a night under stars in a luxury tent, sandboarding at dawn

An overnight tour from Merzouga into Erg Chebbi's red sand dunes with camel ride, luxury camp stay and meals. You ride out at sunset for roughly an hour, sleep in a double tent with private shower and toilet, wake to the sunrise, try sandboarding if you want it, then ride or drive back the next morning. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The camp holds a maximum of 15 people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Camel ride and overnight desert camp

• Pickup from accommodation
• Private transfer to camel meeting point
• Camel ride through Erg Chebbi dunes
• Stop for sunset photos
• Arrive at luxury desert camp
• Enjoy Berber mint tea welcome
• Dinner in Berber tent
• Campfire and stargazing
• Sleep in luxury nomad tent
• Wake up to Sahara sunrise
• Breakfast at the camp
• Sandboarding or photography
• Camel or 4x4 ride back to Merzouga

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation in Merzouga in the late afternoon. A private transfer takes you to the camel meeting point, where you mount and ride through the dunes at desert pace for around an hour. The route includes a stop at a high dune to watch the sunset and take photographs before you arrive at the luxury camp. A Berber guide leads the camel ride. The pace is built for the animals, not for speed.

At camp, you're welcomed with mint tea and shown to your double tent, which has a private shower and toilet: a real difference from traditional Sahara camping. Dinner happens in a Berber tent. Afterward, the camp gathers around a fire under open sky. You sleep in the nomad tent and wake to the first light crossing the dunes. Breakfast is typical Moroccan fare, eaten at the camp before the day's second activity.

Sandboarding is optional: if you want it, you climb a dune and slide down the face on a board. If you'd rather photograph the landscape or rest, that's the choice. The return to Merzouga happens by camel or 4x4, whichever you prefer. You decide when booking. Hotel drop-off completes the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Merzouga.
• camel ride with guide for roughly one hour each way.
• luxury double tent with private shower and toilet.
• Berber dinner and typical breakfast.
• mint tea, coffee and tea throughout.
• sandboarding equipment and access to the dunes.
• campfire evening under the stars.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 16:00 and 17:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Explore Morocco Travel SARL

Is this one for you?Groups stay under 15 people, so the camp never feels crowded. This suits travelers who want a genuine night in the Sahara without roughing it. You get the dunes, the stars and the camel ride, but with a private bathroom and proper meals.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the camel ride each way?

The camel ride takes around one hour in each direction: out to the camp at sunset and back to Merzouga the next morning. The pace follows the camels' natural gait through the sand.

What's included in the overnight stay at the desert camp?

The camp provides a double tent with private shower and toilet, Berber dinner, breakfast the next morning, mint tea, coffee, and access to the campfire in the evening. Sandboarding equipment is also included if you want to try it.

Can I choose how to return to Merzouga, by camel or 4x4?

Yes, you choose at booking whether you want to ride back by camel or return by 4x4 vehicle. Either way, the return is included and ends at your hotel or accommodation in Merzouga.

What is the luxury desert camp like?

Erg Chebbi's luxury camp uses double nomad tents with private en-suite bathrooms: a step up from traditional Sahara camping. Meals happen in a Berber tent, and the evening centers on the campfire under open sky.

Is sandboarding difficult, and do I have to do it?

Sandboarding is optional. You climb a dune and slide down. The camp provides the board. If you prefer to rest, photograph the dunes or explore on foot, you can skip it entirely.