Overnight stay in desert camp & Camel trekking in the Sahara

A camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes gives you the classic Sahara scene in one tidy overnight trip: golden sand, a sunset from a high dune, dinner by drum music, and a sky full of stars. You leave from Merzouga, ride out to camp, and return by camel the next morning after sunrise and breakfast.

I like the private tent and the simple rhythm of the trip. You have time for sunset, dinner, music, stars, an early sunrise, and breakfast without rushing back to town. The included tagine, mint tea, breakfast, camel, local guide, and shower make the $69.79 price strong value.

The main caution is that the timing and sandboarding may not be perfectly dependable. One booking began an hour after the group arrived, and a guest who expected sandboards did not find any at camp. Confirm those details before you set out.

Key points to know before you book

• Camel ride into Erg Chebbi: You cross the dunes by camel from Merzouga, with the ride reported by one guest as about three hours to camp.
• Sunset and sunrise from high dunes: The best light comes at the start and end of the stay, so bring a charged phone or camera.
• Private tent and camp dinner: Your overnight setup includes a private tent, tagine dinner, breakfast, tea or coffee, and a shower at the meeting point.
• Berber drums after dinner: Traditional music around the campfire gives the night a local touch beyond the standard camel ride.
• Sandboarding needs checking: It is advertised as part of the experience, but one guest found no boards at camp.
• Small private group: Only your own group takes part, although the exact camp setup and timing should be confirmed after booking.

From Riad Akabar to the Erg Chebbi dunes

Your meeting point is Riad Akabar in Merzouga. The day begins with Berber tea while you get ready for the camel ride, a useful pause before leaving town and a chance to meet the local guide.

The departure window is important. You are asked to arrive between roughly 4 and 5:30 p.m., with earlier arrival preferred. One guest arrived at 4 p.m. but did not start riding until 5 p.m., so do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward. Desert trips run on local timing, and the camel team may need to gather everyone and prepare the animals.

The route leads into the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. One account describes the ride to camp as about three hours, though the supplied schedule also lists a two-hour segment for the return day. Treat the camel ride as a substantial part of the experience, not a quick photo stop.

This matters for comfort. Sitting on a camel for a long stretch can be tiring, especially if you are not used to it. Wear practical clothing, bring water, and keep your most important items in a small bag that stays easy to reach. The tour includes the camel for each person, but it does not include lunch, so eat before departure or arrange food separately.

A slow ride with a big payoff at sunset

The camel ride is not about covering ground quickly. You move at the pace of the animals, with the dunes opening around you. That slower pace is part of the appeal, since the desert feels very different from a drive across it.

As you approach camp, you walk toward the high dunes for sunset. This is the strongest photo moment of the first day. From higher sand, you can see the curves of the dunes catch the changing light, and the broad view helps explain why Erg Chebbi is the main draw in this part of Morocco.

Give yourself time for the sunset rather than treating it as a quick stop. You may want to climb only as high as feels comfortable, since soft sand makes walking harder than it looks. Keep your phone or camera secure, and remember that the group must still return to camp for dinner.

The desert is also a place where expectations need a little adjustment. The camp is equipped, but this is not a hotel moved into the dunes. The attraction is the setting and the straightforward overnight stay, not polished resort service.

Dinner, drums, and a night in a private tent

Dinner includes traditional tagine, followed by tea and the evening camp atmosphere. Traditional Berber drums are played after dinner, and one guest described playing drums around the fire as a highlight of the night.

That combination is the heart of the tour. The food gives you a warm, local-style meal after the camel ride, while the music makes the camp feel more connected to the region than a silent overnight stop. You also have time to look up at the stars if the sky is clear.

The private tent is a useful feature for anyone who wants a little personal space. You are not simply sleeping in an open camp area. Still, air conditioning is not included, so do not book this expecting a climate-controlled room. The listing does not give detailed information about bedding, bathroom arrangements, or the exact tent facilities, so ask the provider if those points matter to you.

The hosts named in guest feedback include Ahmed and Ishmael, both described as helpful and friendly. The experience provider is Marrakech Tours Morocco, and the trip is private, meaning only your group participates. That can make the evening feel more relaxed than a large shared departure, though the camp itself may still have other groups nearby.

Sandboarding is a bonus, not a guarantee

Sandboarding is advertised as one of the activities at the camp. The high dunes near the tents should provide the right setting for it, and it can be a fun way to use the time before or after dinner.

But you should confirm that boards are available before you rely on this part of the plan. One guest specifically said that no sandboards were seen at camp, despite expecting the activity to be included. This is the clearest gap between the advertised experience and what may be available on a particular departure.

If sandboarding is a must for you, ask Marrakech Tours Morocco to confirm that equipment will be ready on your date. If it is simply a nice extra, the sunset, dinner, music, and sunrise still form the main experience.

The tour also lists 4×4 transport and ATV or buggy riding as optional extra activities, not included features. Those can give you a faster way through the dunes, but they change the tone. The camel ride is slower and quieter, while motorized options are better suited to anyone who wants more speed or has limited interest in a long ride.

Sunrise, shower, and the return to Merzouga

The second day starts early if you want to see sunrise. You walk to a high dune beside the camp, watch the light come up, and take photos before returning for a shower and breakfast.

This early start is worth planning for. The sunrise is one of the two best visual moments of the trip, and the short walk to the dune gives you a final quiet look at the desert before the camp becomes more active. You do not have to get up for it, but skipping sunrise means missing one of the main reasons to sleep in the dunes.

After sunrise, you return to camp, shower, eat breakfast, and take a break. The shower is provided at the meeting point as part of the tour arrangements, and the supplied details also describe access to a shower after returning from the dune. Since facilities can vary by camp and meeting point, clarify exactly where the shower is located if this is important to you.

You then mount the camels and ride back to the meeting point in Merzouga village. The activity ends there, at the same general meeting point where you began. No onward transport is included in the information provided, so arrange your next transfer separately.

What the $69.79 price really covers

At $69.79 per person, this is a good-value overnight package if you want the main Sahara experience without paying for several extra activities. Dinner, breakfast, tea or coffee, the camel, local guide, private tent, parking, taxes, and shower are included.

The price is especially reasonable because the camel ride and overnight camp are the two costly-feeling parts of the day. You also avoid having to arrange dinner and breakfast separately in the desert.

The value is less clear if your priority is a high-end camp. Air conditioning is not included, and the available details do not promise luxury facilities. The low price suggests a practical camp stay rather than a premium desert lodge.

Budget for lunch, since it is not included. Also allow extra money if you want a 4×4 ride, ATV or buggy outing, or any other activity arranged separately. Sandboarding should be confirmed rather than assumed to be a guaranteed inclusion.

Timing, group size, and comfort

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That is a real advantage if you want to set the pace of conversation, take family photos, or avoid being placed with strangers. The activity is also near public transportation, and free parking is included at the meeting point.

Most people can take part, according to the supplied information. Still, the camel ride can be physically demanding. You should be comfortable mounting and sitting on a camel for a long period, then walking on soft sand to the high dunes.

Families can consider it too. One guest completed the camel journey with an eight-year-old daughter and found the ride manageable. That does not guarantee the same experience for every child, but it suggests the trip can work for families who are prepared for a long, slow ride.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. Since it is private, the minimum requirement may still affect whether the departure goes ahead. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to three full days before the start time. Cancellations or changes within three days are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an unmet minimum causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this overnight camel trip?

I would choose this experience if you want the classic Merzouga desert stay in a short, clearly priced package. It gives you the main ingredients: camel trekking, sunset, sunrise, tagine, drums, stars, and a private tent.

It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private booking and do not need luxury camp facilities. It also works well if you have only two days in the area and want an overnight desert experience rather than a longer expedition.

I would hesitate if you need exact timing, guaranteed sandboarding, air conditioning, or polished hotel-style service. The delayed camel departure and missing sandboards show that you should allow flexibility and confirm the details before arrival.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the sunset, sunrise, camel ride, and camp dinner matter more to you than extras. At $69.79, the core package offers a lot for the money, and the private tent, local guide, meals, tea, and shower keep the logistics simple.

Before paying, ask two direct questions: What time will the camel ride actually leave, and will sandboards be available on your date? If the answers work for you, this is a practical way to spend one memorable night among the dunes near Merzouga.

FAQ

Where does the camel tour begin and end?

The tour begins at Riad Akabar in Merzouga, Morocco. It ends back at the meeting point in Merzouga village after the return camel ride.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The camel ride to camp is described by one guest as about three hours, while the supplied schedule lists a two-hour return segment on the second day.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Dinner is a traditional tagine meal, and tea or coffee is also provided. Lunch is not included.

Is the tent private?

Yes. A private tent is included, and the tour itself is private for your group. Air conditioning is not included.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is presented as part of the experience, but availability should be confirmed. One guest reported that no sandboards were available at camp.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund at least three full days before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within three days are not refunded. Poor weather or an unmet minimum may lead to a different date or a full refund.