Merzouga

At the gates of the great red desert…

A word of advice for travellers looking for adventure: Merzouga and nearby Erg Chebbi are Southern Morocco’s two main attractions. In the ochre desert, monumental dunes move and change shape at the whim of the wind, offering travellers a colourful and luminous show. The land becomes less and less tame the further east you venture. With your family, as a couple or by yourself, this is a fantastic trip!
Merzouga is a little Saharan village in south eastern Morocco at the feet of the Erg Chebbi dunes, in the Tafilalet Valley. For centuries this region has been a crossroads of African desert civilizations. Many Kasbah inns like the edge of the Erg Chebbi. Some are owned by Berber families that will enthusiastically initiate you to all the facets of their culture and cuisine.

Merzouga day trips

We offer many excursions out of Merzouga. It is recommended that travellers spend at least three days here so as not to miss out! Don’t hesitate to make an enquiry and get started creating your tailor made trip with us.

Venture into the erg and its dunes on foot, on horseback, on a camel, on a mountain bike, or in a 4WD. Whichever angle you choose, you can be sure it won’t be anything like home!
Merzouga’s region is ideal for staying in bivouacs. You can experience a night under the stars in the desert and lose yourself in the show of the celestial vault.
There is nothing like the incredible sunrises and sunsets over the desert. Shadows and light slide along the sand and create beautiful shapes of surprising colours. You are in for a moment of profound serenity.
Stroll through the town’s lush gardens and immerse yourself in the ancestral culture of the oasis’ inhabitants.
Arenotherapy (sand baths): the sands of Merzouga are renowned for their therapeutic properties, notably for treating rheumatism.
In the spring, the formation of seasonal lakes is common, especially in the area north-west of Merzouga. Don’t miss the Dayet Srji, where many flamingos and other freshwater birds tend to flock.
Take a little detour to the Tafilalet oasis, the world’s biggest palm grove. The date and palm trees are quite beautiful, but the acacia forest where the Ziz and Gheris oueds meet is absolutely magnificent!

When to visit Merzouga?

You can visit the region around Merzouga all year long, however, we recommend the winter and spring months, during which you’ll enjoy balmy weather during the day and cooler temperatures at night. In the summer, the days are stifling: for excursions during this season either set off early in the morning or later in the evening.

Access

At the very feet of the desert, Merzouga is a truly peaceful place. It is 50 km from Erfoud and 25km from Rissani. The closest airport is that of Ouarzazate. The road between the two cities is famous for its beauty and the contrasting landscapes it goes through. It will first take you to the Dades gorges along the road of a thousand kasbahs, in the heart of the valley of roses. The drive is about six hours long, and we can organize your transfer for you.