REVIEW · MERZOUGA
Sandboarding & Overnight in Merzouga Desert Camp Camel Trekking
Book on Viator →Operated by Shared desert tour from Marrakech · Bookable on Viator
Sleep under stars in the Sahara. This Merzouga overnight camel experience takes you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset views, a night in a private nomad-style tent, and a sunrise ride the next morning. You’ll also get sandboarding time on the dunes, so it’s not just “sit and admire,” it’s actually doing.
Two things I really like: the full rhythm from late-day pickup through sunrise (it’s the kind of timing you can’t copy on your own), and the camp setup—traditional mint tea on arrival, dinner, and a morning hot shower. One consideration: it’s an overnight in the desert, so pack for cooler evening temperatures and plan for sand and a bit of physical effort on the dunes.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Why Merzouga’s dunes are perfect for an overnight trek
- Day 1: late-day pickup, camel ride, sunset climb, and sandboarding
- The desert camp night: mint tea, dinner, and a private tent you can actually enjoy
- Day 2: sunrise camel ride, breakfast, and a hot shower before heading back
- Price and value: what you’re really paying for at about $58
- Who should book (and who should reconsider)
- Practical tips that make this trip easier
- Should you book this overnight camel trek?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the price?
- What drinks are included?
- How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?
- Do we get a hot shower on the second day?
- What time does the experience start?
- Is there any limit on group size?
- Is there free cancellation?
- Can I bring a service animal?
Key highlights at a glance
- Erg Chebbi timing: sunset in the dunes, then sunrise the next morning
- Sandboarding included right after you reach the camp area
- Mint tea welcome plus a traditional dinner in camp
- Private nomad-style tent with space to charge your phone
- Hot shower at camp after breakfast on Day 2
- Small group size (up to 20) with an English & Spanish guide
Why Merzouga’s dunes are perfect for an overnight trek
Merzouga is the place most people picture when they think of Morocco’s desert. That’s not marketing fluff—it’s because Erg Chebbi dunes are tall enough to feel dramatic and close enough to town that you can do an overnight without it turning into a two-week ordeal.
The real value here is the schedule. You’re not just riding a camel and calling it a day. You reach the dunes in the afternoon, watch the light change as the sun lowers, then do sunrise the next morning before heading back. Those two “shows” on sand are what make an overnight worth it.
The camp angle matters too. It’s a private nomad-style tent, not a crowded warehouse-style setup. And you get basics that help you enjoy the night instead of fighting logistics—dinner, breakfast, and even a charging spot for your phone. For most people, the desert “wins” when the trip feels cared for. This one is built around that comfort-with-adventure balance.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Merzouga.
Day 1: late-day pickup, camel ride, sunset climb, and sandboarding
Day 1 starts in the afternoon—typically 4–5 p.m., depending on the season—with pickup from your hotel in Merzouga. You’re traveling toward the dunes for the evening light, so you’re already in the right mood before you even touch the sand.
Once you’re set, the camel ride to the desert camp takes about 1.5 hours. It’s not a nonstop bounce-fest. You get breaks to rest, and you also climb the dunes for those classic views and photos. Then, sandboarding happens as part of the ride experience, so you get a bit of adrenaline without adding an extra tour day.
A smart thing to know: this kind of camel trek is physical in small ways. You’ll be on uneven sand, getting on/off, and moving for pictures. It’s totally doable for most people with moderate fitness, but if you hate hunching over photos or you’re sensitive to rough terrain, plan your expectations.
Also, the tour includes an English & Spanish guide. That helps when you want quick answers in the desert—timing, what you’re seeing, and how the camp flow works when you arrive.
The desert camp night: mint tea, dinner, and a private tent you can actually enjoy
After the sunset viewing and sandboarding, you reach the camp and get a welcome ritual: mint tea served traditionally in the desert. That moment does more than taste good. It’s the first real “you’re here” signal—when the noise of town fades and the night feels like it belongs to the dunes.
Your overnight is in a private nomad-style tent. The tour also provides a place for charging your phone, which sounds minor until you’re standing in sand-darkness trying to remember what time it is. You’ll also have a proper meal: dinner is included, described as traditional, and served once you’re settled after the day in the dunes.
Even better, the camp time isn’t just food and sleeping. The atmosphere matters, and many people talk about camp entertainment around the fire—things like music and a relaxed desert vibe. Not every camp does that the same way, but the overall impression is that the evening feels communal and calm, not awkwardly staged.
What you should consider most on the night: desert weather can change fast. Even when it’s comfortably cool (and many times it is), you’ll want layers. Desert nights can be surprisingly chilly once the sun is gone, and you’ll be happier if you dress for it instead of wishing you had.
Day 2: sunrise camel ride, breakfast, and a hot shower before heading back
Morning starts early so you can catch the sunrise over the dunes. This is one of those “do it even if you’re tired” moments. Sunrise light turns the sand into a different world—so the early start doesn’t feel like a punishment. It feels like the point.
After the sunrise, the flow is straightforward: you get a full breakfast, and there’s a hot shower in the camp. That single included detail is worth highlighting. You’ll spend the night in sand conditions, then wake up refreshed enough to enjoy the rest of your day instead of wondering how you’re going to rinse off.
From there, you can choose how you return to town—camel ride back to the Kasbah Hotel area is an option. The trek then ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not left thinking you need to solve transport on your own.
The whole Day 2 is designed to make the “desert memory” feel clean and complete: sunrise, food, comfort, then back to the real world with your senses still switched on.
Price and value: what you’re really paying for at about $58
At around $58.16 per person for a 2-day experience, this is one of the more affordable ways to do a true Merzouga overnight without sacrificing key comforts. The math makes sense when you look at what’s included.
You’re getting:
- camel trekking and sandboarding
- dinner and breakfast
- a private tent for the night
- hot shower the next morning
- an English & Spanish guide
- space to charge phones
- safe parking for a car
What’s not included is simple: drinks. That means you should budget a little extra for bottled water or soft drinks if you want them on top of meals.
Also, think about group size. With a maximum of 20 travelers, the experience is more likely to feel personal rather than chaotic. That matters in the desert, where you want your timing to line up and your guide to be able to answer questions without shouting.
One more value note: this is a shared desert experience from Marrakech (as the provider states). Even if you’re not starting in Marrakech, the “shared” model often keeps the cost down while still delivering the core desert magic: dunes, camel ride, and that overnight camp setup.
Who should book (and who should reconsider)
This tour fits best if you want the classic Merzouga experience in a practical package.
You’ll enjoy it most if you:
- want sunset and sunrise in the dunes, not just one
- like hands-on desert fun, including sandboarding
- want a comfortable overnight option (private tent, dinner, breakfast, hot shower)
- travel as a family, couple, or small group and enjoy a guided flow
This isn’t the best fit if:
- you dislike early mornings (Day 2 is built around sunrise)
- you have very limited mobility or strong discomfort with walking and climbing dunes (the experience calls for moderate physical fitness)
- you’re expecting resort-level amenities. It’s desert camping done thoughtfully, not a hotel in the dunes.
The group limit (up to 20) and guide language options (English & Spanish) help families and mixed-language groups feel more comfortable too.
Practical tips that make this trip easier
A few practical moves will improve your night and your photos:
Pack for sand and temperature swings
Wear something you can move in, with closed-toe shoes that can handle sand. Bring an extra layer for the evening. Desert cool can show up fast once the sun goes down.
Think about your phone and power plan
Since there’s a place for charging phones, you can keep your battery situation sane. Still, bring a power bank if you’re the type who uses maps and photos constantly.
Arrive ready for a short guide-led routine
You’ll get mint tea on arrival and then dinner later. Have your energy for the evening meal and the sunrise morning without planning extra stops. The whole point is the dune schedule.
Confirm timing if your calendar feels confused
Your experience details include pickup in the late afternoon (4–5 p.m.) depending on season, but the meeting-point section also lists start time at 5:00 a.m. That’s likely a data mismatch or a different timing reference. Before you go, confirm the exact time you’re picked up and when you should meet.
Know your meeting point
The listed start meeting point is MOUHOU APARTMENTS, about 700 meters from the post office of Merzouga, Merzouga 52202, Morocco. Your trip ends back at the meeting point.
Should you book this overnight camel trek?
If you want Merzouga in full “Sahara movie scene” mode—with sandboarding, a private tent, mint tea, sunset and sunrise—this is an easy yes. The biggest wins for me are the timing (two magical light shows) and the comfort support (dinner, breakfast, hot shower, charging space).
If you hate early mornings or you’re very sensitive to desert conditions, consider whether a shorter, day-focused desert activity would fit better. But for most people, this overnight hits the sweet spot: real adventure, plus the kind of included comfort that lets you enjoy the experience instead of managing it.
FAQ
What’s included in the price?
Dinner and breakfast are included, along with camel trekking and sandboarding, a private tent for the night, safe parking for a car, a place for charging phones, and an English & Spanish guide.
What drinks are included?
Drinks are not included.
How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?
The camel ride takes about 1.5 hours to get to the desert camp, and it includes breaks for resting and climbing dunes for views and pictures, plus sandboarding.
Do we get a hot shower on the second day?
Yes. After sunrise and breakfast, there is a hot shower in the camp.
What time does the experience start?
The meeting-point info lists a start time of 5:00 a.m., while pickup for the camel trek is described as starting in the afternoon (4–5 p.m., depending on season). Confirm your exact pickup time with the operator before you go.
Is there any limit on group size?
Yes. The experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
Can I bring a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed.
