Erg Chigaga Desert Tour: Camel Ride & Berber Camp

You sleep in the desert and wake to sunrise over the dunes.

This 2-day, 1-night desert tour from Zagora takes you deep into Erg Chigaga, one of Morocco's largest and most remote dune systems, by 4×4 and camel. You spend the night in a traditional Berber nomad camp with dinner and breakfast included, ride at sunset, and return the next day through the Draa Valley with a stop at Tamagroute's historic Koranic Library. A live guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic handles all logistics and transport from your Zagora hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Erg Chigaga and sunset camel ride

• Depart from Zagora around 14:00
• Drive toward M’Hamid via Tizi Anagame and Ben Selmane
• Off-road drive to Erg Chigaga dunes
• Enjoy camel ride at sunset
• Have traditional mint tea and dinner in Berber tent
• Overnight in Berber tent or under stars

Day 2: Sunrise and return to Zagora

• Wake early to watch sunrise over dunes
• Have breakfast at camp
• Return to Zagora via off-road Draa Valley route
• Visit historic Koranic Library in Tamagroute
• Arrive back in Zagora around noon

The experience

Getting to Erg Chigaga on your own means navigating remote desert terrain and arranging a camel ride in unfamiliar territory. This tour departs Zagora around 14:00 and handles the two-hour off-road drive through Ben Selmane and Tizi Anagame. You arrive at the dunes in time for a camel ride at sunset, followed by traditional mint tea and dinner served inside a nomadic Berber tent. The camp sits on the open desert, and you can choose to sleep in the tent or under the stars on the dunes themselves.

The return day starts early so you catch sunrise over the dunes: the itinerary calls it one of the most memorable moments of the Sahara. After breakfast, you travel back toward Zagora via a different off-road route through the Draa Valley. The route includes a stop at Tamagroute, a historic village where you visit the Koranic Library, known for its collection of ancient manuscripts. You arrive back in Zagora around noon.

Round-trip transport, overnight accommodation, the camel ride, dinner, breakfast, and tea are all included. Your guide speaks your language and manages the route. Lunch and drinks during the journey are not included, so plan accordingly for the drive days. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the early sunrise departure and the two-hour off-road drive mean you'll be up before dawn and spending significant time in a vehicle.

What’s included

• Round-trip 4×4 transport from Zagora.
• overnight accommodation in a traditional Berber nomad tent in Erg Chigaga.
• camel ride at sunset.
• traditional dinner and breakfast.
• tea and coffee.
• visit to the Koranic Library in Tamagroute.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 01:30 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Infant (under 18)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Audio guideGerman

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SAHARA ROYAL

Is this one for you?The early sunrise departure and two-hour off-road drive mean you're traveling in the dark and spending significant time bouncing across remote terrain, so this tour works best for travelers comfortable with an early start and rough roads. The overnight camp has no electricity or running water (you're sleeping in the desert as it is), which is exactly what makes the sunrise and the night sky memorable.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 18).

How does the 4×4 journey to Erg Chigaga work from Zagora?

You depart Zagora around 14:00 and travel via Tizi Anagame and Ben Selmane, then take an off-road drive of approximately two hours across remote desert terrain to reach the dunes. The route is rough but passable in a 4×4, and your guide handles navigation and timing.

What is the Berber camp like, and where do you sleep?

The camp is a traditional nomadic setup in Erg Chigaga where you stay overnight. You can choose to sleep in a comfortable Berber tent or under the stars on the dunes, depending on your preference. Dinner and breakfast are served at the camp.

What happens on the return journey to Zagora?

You wake early to see sunrise over the dunes, eat breakfast, then travel back via a different off-road route through the Draa Valley. Along the way, you stop in Tamagroute to visit the Koranic Library, which houses ancient manuscripts. The drive back takes you to Zagora around noon.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes round-trip transport from Zagora, overnight accommodation in a Berber tent, a camel ride at sunset, traditional dinner and breakfast, and tea or coffee. Lunch during the journey and drinks are not included, and gratuities are at your discretion.