Merzouga Overnight: Sahara Camel Ride & Berber Tent Sunrise

Sand drums at dusk: two days sleeping under the Sahara

You get picked up from your hotel or bus station, driven to the desert base, ride a camel at sunset while Berber musicians play, sleep in a tent under open sky, wake for sunrise, and ride back for breakfast before returning to town. Hotel pickup and all meals are included, so you show up and the logistics are handled.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and desert sunset experience

• Travel to Kasbah near Erg Chebbi dunes
• Relax with mint tea
• Take camel ride into desert
• Watch sunset over dunes
• Enjoy campfire with Berber music

Day 2: Sunrise and return journey

• Wake early for desert sunrise
• Return by camel to hotel
• Shower and have breakfast
• Drive back to bus station or hotel

The experience

The sound hits you first, not the wind, but the drums. You're standing at the edge of Erg Chebbi after a 4WD drive from Merzouga, Rissani or Erfoud, and the Berber musicians are already tuning up near the campfire. Your guide hands you mint tea while the dunes turn gold, then orange, then something between red and purple. This is the moment most people come for, but it's not the main event yet.

After sunset, you climb onto a camel for the ride back toward the Berber tent where you'll sleep. The animal moves at its own pace: slower than you'd think, which means you actually see the stars appear instead of just hearing about them. The tent itself is simple: low cushions, rugs, a fire going outside. Dinner is cooked on-site, vegetarian options available if you book ahead. The drums and singing continue into the night, and at some point you stop listening and just fall asleep.

Day two starts before dawn. Your guide wakes you early enough to catch the sunrise from the dunes themselves, the light coming up behind the Algerian border. It's quieter than sunset. Just the sound of sand shifting under your feet and maybe a camel somewhere. After that, you ride back to the tent for a shower and breakfast, then the 4WD takes you back to Rissani, Merzouga or your hotel. The whole thing is two days, but it moves slowly enough that it feels longer.

What’s included

Your overnight stay includes hotel or bus station pickup, a 4WD drive to Erg Chebbi, a camel ride at sunset with a local guide, dinner cooked at the camp, overnight accommodation in a Berber tent or hotel room, breakfast the next morning, a sunrise camel ride back, and a return drive to your starting point.

Options for this experience

6 options

Standard Camp and Camel RideGuide in English or French · 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00Standard desert camp with a private standard tent and an ensuite bathroom. The camel ride lets you watch the sunset, and the next day you return by Jeep. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga. An SUV is available for pickup if needed; we will meet you at the meeting point, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

Overnight in Riad and Camel RideGuide in English or French · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Riad Tighmart (at the foot of the dunes) with a private room, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom. A camel ride of around one hour lets you watch the sunset. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga. An SUV is available for pickup if needed; we will meet you at the meeting point, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

Luxury Camp and Camel RideGuide in English or French · 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00Luxury desert camp with a private luxury tent, an ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. The camel ride lets you watch the sunset, and the next day you return by Jeep. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga. An SUV is available for pickup if needed; we will meet you at the meeting point, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Standard Camp and Quad RideGuide in English or French · 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00Standard desert camp with a private standard tent and an ensuite bathroom. A one-hour quad ride lets you watch the sunset, and the next day you return by Jeep. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga. An SUV is available for pickup if needed; we will meet you at the meeting point, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

Luxury Camp and Quad BikeGuide in English or French · 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00Luxury desert camp with a private luxury tent, an ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. A one-hour quad ride lets you watch the sunset, and the next day you return by Jeep. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga. An SUV is available for pickup if needed; we will meet you at the meeting point, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

Overnight in Riad and Quad RideGuide in English or French · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Riad Tighmart (at the foot of the dunes) with a private room, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom. A quad ride of around one hour lets you watch the sunset. The stay lasts one night: you start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. Dinner and breakfast are included. The meeting point is in Merzouga; we will meet you there, and you may also come by your own car, bus or motorcycle, with free parking available. An SUV is available for pickup if needed. Sandboarding is free and available on request (ask the camel guide before starting the tour). Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2d, runs every day, 6 start times, from US$ 63 per person, with a live guide in English and French, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: 08:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 159 private ›

Live guideEnglish and FrenchOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Merzouga desert experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Sahara experience without arranging transport, finding a camp or timing the sunset yourself: the pickup, meals and guide handle all three, leaving you to just show up and ride.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

105 verified traveler reviews

5 ★100

4 ★5

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

How long is the camel ride?

The sunset ride and sunrise return are both part of the experience, but exact duration depends on your pace and the guide's route. Plan for roughly an hour each way.

What's the tent accommodation like?

Basic but comfortable: traditional Berber tent with cushions, rugs and blankets. Shower facilities are available at the base camp. You can also choose a hotel room instead if you prefer.

Is food included?

Yes. Dinner and breakfast are both included. Vegetarian meals are available. Just mention it when you book.

Do I need to be fit to ride a camel?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels. The camel rides are at a walking pace. If you have serious cardiovascular concerns, check with the operator first.

What if I don't want to ride a camel?

The tour centers on camel riding at sunset and sunrise. If you'd prefer not to ride, contact the operator about alternatives before booking.

Where does pickup happen?

Hotel pickup is included from Merzouga, Rissani or Erfoud. If you're at the bus station, the driver will collect you there.

What time does it start and end?

Pickup happens in the afternoon, sunset camel ride is at dusk, and you return to town the next morning after breakfast. Exact times depend on your pickup location.