Morocco’s Sahara Desert is a huge, dry desert located in northern Africa. It is the world’s biggest hot desert, spanning approximately 9 million square kilometers and spanning numerous countries including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, and Sudan.
The Sahara desert encompasses a considerable portion of Morocco’s southern area. It supports a wide diversity of flora and wildlife, including desert-adapted plants like acacia trees, cacti, and date palms, as well as animals like camels, desert foxes, and sand cats.
So, which Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco to Go to? Keep on reading to find out!
The Moroccan Sahara desert also has various oases, which are regions where subsurface water flows to the surface, allowing flora to thrive and human communities to form. These oases are key trade and economic centers with a rich cultural legacy.
Morocco’s Sahara desert is a famous tourist destination, with people going to explore its huge sand dunes, experience local culture and way of life, and participate in activities like camel trekking, 4×4 desert excursions, and stargazing. It is a one-of-a-kind and breathtaking natural marvel that allows tourists to experience the tough yet lovely surroundings of one of the world’s most renowned landscapes.
Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco
As mentioned above, Morocco’s Sahara dunes are a wide area of sand dunes found in the western section of the Sahara Desert. The most famous of these dunes are part of the Erg Chebbi, a huge dunes region that runs for more than 50 kilometers in length and up to 10 kilometers in breadth.
The Erg Chebbi dunes are among the tallest in the Sahara, reaching heights of up to 150 meters. The sand is a gorgeous orange tint that the wind continuously shapes into ever-changing patterns. Tourists visit the dunes to enjoy activities such as camel trekking, sandboarding, and viewing the sunset over the dunes. In addition, there are a number of tiny villages in the vicinity where tourists may learn about the local culture and way of life.
The famed town of Merzouga lays in there. It is a small village on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco. It is well-known for its expansive and scenic sand dunes. Moreover, Merzouga is well renowned for its camel treks and desert excursions, which allow tourists to immerse themselves in the beauty and quiet of the Sahara Desert. Travelers may ride a camel over the sand dunes, spend the night in a traditional Berber tent, and dine around a campfire beneath the stars.
Merzouga is also noted for its date palm trees, which provide a vital source of revenue for the local people in addition to tourists. Tourists usually wander through the palm groves, visit local farms, and learn about traditional date cultivation methods. Furthermore, the town is a one-of-a-kind and breathtaking site that allows tourists to explore the natural beauty and cultural legacy of the Sahara Desert while also benefiting the local people via sustainable tourism efforts.
A few days of vacation in Merzouga is often less expensive than in many other major tourist spots across the world. But, whether Merzouga is pricey or not depends on what you compare it to and what you want to do while you’re there. Merzouga’s accommodation and dining options are quite reasonable, with budget hotels and guesthouses providing rooms for as low as $20-30 USD each night. Prices, however, might vary based on the time of year and the amount of luxury desired.
The Erg Chebbi’s Sahara desert dunes of Morocco are a beautiful natural marvel that attracts travelers from all over the world to witness its beauty and majesty.
Erg Chegaga Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco
The Erg Chegaga dunes, located in the Sahara desert near M’hamid El Ghizlane, are a major tourist site in Morocco. The dunes are famous for their breathtaking beauty, with towering sand dunes reaching up to 300 meters in height. Many travelers come to the Erg Chegaga dunes to see the desert beauty and traditional Berber culture by taking camel rides or 4×4 trips.
Visitors to the Erg Chegaga dunes can participate in organized trips with Moroccan tour operators that span several days and involve activities such as camel rides, sandboarding, and camping beneath the stars. The greatest time to visit the dunes is between November and February when temperatures are more mild.
In Erg Chegaga Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco, you may want to spend a couple of nights in M’hamid El Ghizlane near Draa Valley. It is a small village in southern Morocco’s Draa River basin. It is known as the “Gateway to the Sahara” since it is the final major town before the immense desert expanse begins.
The town has a mix of Berber and Arab cultures, with a rich cultural legacy that includes traditional music, dancing, and handicrafts. Several tourists come to Mhamid El Ghizlane to learn about the local culture and to see the desert’s beauty.
The annual Moussem festival, which takes place in October and commemorates the conclusion of the date harvest, is one of Mhamid El Ghizlane’s primary attractions. People from all around the region attend the festival, which features traditional music, dancing, and other cultural events.
Apart from tourism, Mhamid El Ghizlane’s economy is focused on agricultural and date farming, as well as crafts like as ceramics, weaving, and basket-making. The town is also a vital transit hub for commodities and people going between Morocco and neighboring West African nations.
The Moroccan Sahara desert of Erg Chegaga may be a harsh and unforgiving environment (in the best way possible), so tourists should take the essential measures to be safe and comfortable when visiting the dunes. This includes carrying lots of water, wearing sunscreen and protective gear, and being aware of the dangers of heat stroke and dehydration.
Honorable mentions of the Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco
Besides Merzouga and Mhamid El Ghizlane, many small southern villages are surrounding the desert dunes. In fact, the Moroccan Sahara’s little villages are intriguing and distinctive destinations that provide an insight into traditional Berber culture and the harsh yet beautiful environment of the desert, including:
- Rissani: This little town has a rich history and culture and was once an important stop on the trans-Saharan trade route. It is famous for its traditional souks, which sell everything from spices to textiles.
- Zagora: This little village at the base of the Jebel Zagora mountain range is a popular starting place for desert treks. It is famous for its palm trees, which give a pleasant oasis of green in the midst of the parched desert terrain.
- Erfoud: This small town is a remarkable one with a rich history and a distinct culture inspired by the arid climate. It is a popular location for those who want to explore the Desert and learn about traditional Berber culture. It also encompasses the Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum.
Not only will you get lost when trying to choose the Sahara dunes of your dreams, but you’ll also lose yourself in the beauty of the landscapes once you get there! In need of more recommendations on which Sahara Desert Dunes of Morocco to Go to? Then, you can contact us with any questions of yours and we’ll do our best to assist you.