The Moroccan Sahara Desert is an iconic and unforgettable landscape, with its vast, undulating sand dunes, starry nights and rich Berber culture.

While the Sahara Desert is immense and stretches across North Africa, the most accessible and popular parts in Morocco are generally found in the country’s southeast. The two main “erg” (areas of large sand dunes) are:

Erg Chebbi (near Merzouga) is perhaps the most famous and visually stunning dune field in Morocco, known for its towering, golden dunes that can reach heights of up to 150 meters (nearly 500 feet). The village of Merzouga is the main gateway.

Erg Chigaga (near M’Hamid El Ghizlane) is larger and more remote than Erg Chebbi, offering a wilder and more authentic desert location The dunes here are generally less tall but spread over a wider area. It’s often considered a more “off-the-beaten-path” option.

Far from city lights, the Sahara offers some of the clearest night skies, perfect for observing constellations, planets, and the Milky Way.

The nomadic Berber people are renowned for their hospitality with many Berber camps offering traditional music around a campfire.  

The Moroccan Sahara Desert is a location that offers profound silence, stunning natural beauty, and a glimpse into a timeless way of life.