REVIEW · MERZOUGA
Camel trekking overnight in Merzouga desert camp
Book on Viator →Operated by Morocco Sahara Exploration · Bookable on Viator
Golden dunes, then silence under stars.
This Merzouga camel overnight is built around two big moments: a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a second trek at sunrise, when the sand looks different again. You also get a traditional-style desert camp evening with Berber food and music that keeps the whole day feeling human-sized, not rushed.
I love the way the camel trekking timings make room for photos and a real sunset, not just a quick ride. I also like the camp setup basics—dinner and breakfast plus phone-charging and secure parking—so you’re not scrambling after the riding. One consideration: drinks aren’t included, so plan on bringing or buying water (especially if you’re particular about how you hydrate).
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Where Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi Dunes Fit Into a Morocco Trip
- Meeting at MOUHOU APARTMENTS and Getting to the Camp
- The Sunset Camel Trek (About 40 Minutes) on the Dunes
- What to bring for the ride
- Desert Camp Night: Berber Dinner, Music, and Phone-Charging Comfort
- How the night usually feels
- Daybreak Sunrise Camel Trek and Breakfast Before You Head On
- Value Check: What $63.88 Covers and What You’ll Need Extra
- Group size and why it affects your experience
- Who Should Book This Overnight Camel Trek (And Who Should Think Twice)
- Small Logistics That Make a Big Difference
- Tips to Get the Best Night Under the Stars
- Should You Book This Merzouga Camel Trek Overnight?
- FAQ
- What time does the camel trekking overnight in Merzouga start?
- Where is the meeting point for this experience?
- How long is the camel trek on Day 1?
- Is sandboarding included?
- Is dinner and breakfast included?
- Are drinks included?
- How many people are in the group?
- Can dietary needs be accommodated?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Sunset ride with a short break: about 40 minutes on camels, with time to stop, watch the light change, and take photos.
- Sandboarding is included: if you want to slide, it’s part of the package you buy.
- Berber campfire evening: you’ll have dinner, Berber music around the campfire, and large tents for the night.
- Comfort touches beyond the basics: safe parking, phone charging, and the kind of camp attention guests often describe as clean and well-run.
- A second camel trek at sunrise: early start for that quieter, softer dune light before breakfast.
Where Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi Dunes Fit Into a Morocco Trip
Merzouga is the doorway to Erg Chebbi, the big, golden dune field people picture when they think of the Sahara. What makes this overnight format work is timing. Instead of treating the desert like a one-hour stop, you get two shifts of the same place: sunset first, sunrise next. That’s the difference between seeing dunes and actually feeling them.
It also helps that Merzouga desert trips are designed around comfort and flow. You’re not expected to walk for hours just to reach the fun parts. The day is paced with a meet-up, a camel ride, a camp evening, and then another ride at dawn—simple, predictable, and easy to slot into a larger itinerary.
And because the camp is run in a Berber style, you’re not just “camping in sand.” You’re eating Moroccan food in a camp setting, with music around a campfire that turns the night into a group experience without killing the quiet.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Merzouga.
Meeting at MOUHOU APARTMENTS and Getting to the Camp
Your start point is MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, about 700 meters from the post office in Merzouga. The start time is 5:00 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
Here’s what I think is practical about this setup: your car can get to the camp area, and there’s secure parking. That matters in a place where you don’t want to burn time figuring out transport. In the experience plan, you meet at the camp area, then get a cup of tea before heading out on camels for sunset.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes knowing what happens next, this part is your win: you’ll have a clear handoff from parking to tea to riding, instead of wandering around waiting for someone to find you.
The Sunset Camel Trek (About 40 Minutes) on the Dunes
The sunset portion is the star of Day 1. After tea, you’ll start your camel trekking session and ride into the dunes to watch the sun drop. The time on camels is listed as about 40 minutes, which is long enough to get out among the dunes and feel the slow, steady pace—but short enough that you’re not exhausted before the camp.
You’ll also have a break in the middle of the Sahara dunes for photos and to enjoy the scenery while the light shifts. This is the moment when the desert stops feeling like “a destination” and starts feeling like a place with its own rhythm.
If you want to add some action, sandboarding is included. It’s also optional in practice—only do it if you’re comfortable. The ride in by camel is gentle; sandboarding is more like a playful challenge.
What to bring for the ride
Because you’ll be outdoors at sunset, I’d show up thinking warm-cold temperature swings are possible. Wear layers you can adjust, and bring something to protect your eyes from sand (sunglasses or similar). A small scarf can be useful if the wind kicks up.
Desert Camp Night: Berber Dinner, Music, and Phone-Charging Comfort
Once sunset is over, you return to the desert camp for the overnight. This is where the trip becomes more than “a ride.” The camp evening is described as traditional, with authentic food, music around the campfire, and large tents.
From the details provided, you can expect these practical comfort points:
- Dinner is included (so you don’t have to negotiate food after a long day).
- Berber music around the campfire is part of the night program.
- There’s a place for charging phones, which is a big deal out here.
- Tents are set up to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Some bookings in the same camp style also describe extra comforts like clean facilities and even private shower/bathroom setups, plus the occasional mention of WiFi out in the dunes. Don’t treat that as guaranteed—but it’s a clue that at least some camps in this style pay attention to comfort, not just “tents and vibes.”
How the night usually feels
Even when the camp is lively, the desert has a way of making the soundscape small—crickets, voices, the crackle of the fire. If you come expecting a busy nightlife scene, this isn’t it. But if you want a night that makes you slow down and look up, it delivers.
Daybreak Sunrise Camel Trek and Breakfast Before You Head On
Day 2 starts early so you can catch sunrise. The plan is a sunrise camel trek over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, followed by breakfast in the camp.
This second ride is valuable because it changes the dunes’ mood. Sunset is dramatic; sunrise is calmer and more delicate. You’re also more likely to get that quiet desert feeling at dawn—fewer crowds, softer light, and a landscape that seems to breathe between shadows.
After the trek, you’ll enjoy your breakfast, then head out by car to the next destination. The experience is set up to return you back to the meeting point at the end, so you’re not stuck wondering how to get back to town.
Value Check: What $63.88 Covers and What You’ll Need Extra
The price is listed as $63.88 per person for an experience that lasts about 2 days. In practical terms, you’re paying for transportation from the meeting area to the camel start, camel trekking, a night in a desert camp setup, and the core “desert evening + sunrise” rhythm.
Included items:
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Camel trekking
- Sandboarding
- Berber music around the campfire
- Place for charging phones
- Safe parking
Not included:
- Drinks
That last line matters. If you’re buying bottled water, soft drinks, or anything beyond basic needs, budget for it. I usually treat that as part of the realism of the Sahara: the core experience is priced in, but “consumables” are typically on you.
Group size and why it affects your experience
The group size is capped at 18 travelers. That’s big enough to meet people, but small enough that the guide and camp team can manage the flow. With desert activities, that balance helps keep the riding and camp timing from turning chaotic.
Who Should Book This Overnight Camel Trek (And Who Should Think Twice)
This experience says most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. So it’s not a super niche activity. You’ll be on camels and moving around sand, though, so basic comfort with uneven ground is important.
It fits best if you:
- Want a short, high-impact Sahara experience with both sunset and sunrise.
- Like Moroccan food and don’t mind an evening that’s more cultural than touristy.
- Want included activities (camel trekking and sandboarding) rather than piecing it together.
You might think twice if you’re:
- Sensitive to early mornings. Day 2 is planned around sunrise.
- Strict about drinks or don’t want to handle any extra purchases, since drinks aren’t included.
Small Logistics That Make a Big Difference
A few details from the plan help you plan smoothly:
- Mobile ticket: handy if you’re using your phone while traveling.
- Confirmation at booking: you won’t be left hanging.
- The car can get to the camp, and there’s safe parking.
- The experience notes dietary needs can be accommodated, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
Also, names that come up in booking feedback for this style of service include hosts such as Youssef and drivers like Ali. If you’re assigned one of them, that often signals an organized, friendly approach.
Tips to Get the Best Night Under the Stars
You can’t control the sky, but you can control your comfort.
- Bring a warm layer for the evening and early morning. Desert nights can feel chilly even when the day is fine.
- Pack a headlamp or small flashlight if you like moving around your tent area without messing with your phone screen.
- Keep your phone charged before the evening program starts. Phone-charging is available, but I’d still treat electricity like something you shouldn’t assume forever.
- If sandboarding sounds fun, try it. It’s included, and it’s one of those activities you’ll remember because it’s physical, not just scenic.
Should You Book This Merzouga Camel Trek Overnight?
If you want the classic Sahara experience in a tight time window, I’d say yes—with one caveat: plan for drinks and accept that your day starts early on Day 2. The combination of sunset camel trekking, a Berber camp evening with dinner and music, and a sunrise trek gives you two distinct desert moments without requiring a long multi-day slog.
Book it if you like simple schedules, cultural camp time, and you want more than a quick photo stop. Skip it if you hate early mornings, or if you’re hoping everything (including drinks) is fully covered with no extras.
FAQ
What time does the camel trekking overnight in Merzouga start?
It starts at 5:00 pm. You meet at MOUHOU APARTMENTS in Merzouga.
Where is the meeting point for this experience?
The meeting point is MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, located about 700 meters from the post office of Merzouga.
How long is the camel trek on Day 1?
Day 1 camel trekking is listed as about 40 minutes, built around watching the sunset.
Is sandboarding included?
Yes, sandboarding is included.
Is dinner and breakfast included?
Yes. Dinner and breakfast are included in the package.
Are drinks included?
No, drinks are not included.
How many people are in the group?
The group has a maximum of 18 travelers.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes. The experience notes that vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and similar dietary needs can be accommodated.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time for a full refund.
