REVIEW · HASSILABIED
✅ Camel Ride and Overnight in Sahara Desert Camp
Book on Viator →Operated by Merzouga Dunes · Bookable on Viator
The Sahara feels bigger when you arrive by camel, not car. This overnight trip out of Merzouga takes you right into the Erg Chebbi dunes, then settles you in a Berber-style desert camp for dinner, tea, and stargazing. You get the full arc: afternoon ride, sunset, camp life, then a morning sunrise wake-up.
What I like most is how much is actually included for the price: dinner, mint tea/coffee, a private tent, plus sunrise and sunset. I also like that you can add sandboarding on the dunes without needing extra arrangements.
One thing to consider: desert experiences run on desert time. In some cases, camp organization and meal timing can be uneven, and depending on your guide, English or French comfort can vary.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- A 4:30 pm Start That Actually Lets You Hit the Dunes Before Dark
- Camel Ride Across Erg Chebbi: The Part That Feels Most Real
- The Desert Camp Night: Dinner, Mint Tea, Drums, and Stars
- Sandboarding on Erg Chebbi: Fun You Can’t Fully Predict
- Sunrise and Breakfast: Why the Next Morning Matters
- Price and Value: How $87.24 Adds Up for an Overnight
- Small Frictions to Plan For (Because Desert Nights Aren’t a Factory)
- Who This Overnight Camp Is Best For
- Should You Book This Camel Ride and Sahara Camp Overnight?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the experience?
- Where is the tour located?
- Is dinner included?
- Does the tour include sunrise and sunset?
- Is sandboarding included?
- Is the tour private?
- Is there a vegetarian option?
- Are drinks included?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Overnight in Erg Chebbi camp: you’re sleeping in a desert camp setting with an included tent or an option to sleep outside under the stars.
- Camel trekking is the main transport: you’ll be on camels during the day, including the ride into camp.
- Sandboarding is included: you’re not just watching dunes from a distance.
- Sunrise and sunset are built in: the schedule is designed around those desert light moments.
- Food is part of the package: dinner plus breakfast are included, but service pace can vary.
A 4:30 pm Start That Actually Lets You Hit the Dunes Before Dark
Most overnight desert tours start late afternoon, and this one has a clear launch time: 4:30 pm. From there, your day unfolds on a simple rhythm—camel ride, setup for the camp evening, then sunrise the next morning. The whole experience runs about 15 to 20 hours, which is long enough to feel like a real break from city life but not so long that you lose a whole day back home.
You’ll meet back at the meeting point at the end, so you’re not ending your night somewhere inconvenient. This helps if you’re combining the desert with other Merzouga plans.
Because this is a private experience for your group, you can expect the pace to stay more consistent than shared group chaos. Still, remember the desert is weather-dependent, and the tour notes that good conditions are required.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hassilabied.
Camel Ride Across Erg Chebbi: The Part That Feels Most Real
The heart of the trip is the camel trekking out into the dunes—especially around Erg Chebbi. You’ll go with nomad-style guides who know the desert well and can talk about nomadic life and desert traditions as you travel. That matters because the dunes aren’t just scenery; they’re a working environment, and local knowledge helps the journey feel smoother.
In the late afternoon, you’ll aim for a camp spot before sunset. Then you’ll watch (and sometimes participate in) camp setup: tents come up, cooking happens over the campfire, and tea gets prepared while you settle in. Equipment is included—tents, cooking gear, food and drinks—so you’re not juggling packing lists or renting gear at the last minute.
During the ride, expect a steady, bumpy pace that’s more about experience than speed. It’s not a theme-park ride; you’re learning how to sit with the camel and how to let the horizon move at a human scale.
A small practical note: camel treks can be easier or harder depending on your comfort level with uneven footing and bouncing. The tour states that most people can participate, but you’ll want to listen to your guide if something feels off.
The Desert Camp Night: Dinner, Mint Tea, Drums, and Stars
Once you arrive at camp, the evening shifts from travel to full desert hosting. You’ll get a traditional dinner—often described as tagine-style in the experience flow—and you’ll have sweet mint tea with your meal. This is one of the most satisfying parts of the trip because you’re not eating in a hurry. You’re sitting inside the camp rhythm: warm food, tea, and time to look around.
You’ll also have chances to unwind and enjoy desert entertainment. The camp setting includes traditional music, and after dinner there’s typically a moment with drums and singing, with you invited to join in. That’s a good way to make the night feel participatory, not just observational.
One of the unique perks here is the sleep arrangement. You’ll have a private tent included, and the notes also indicate you may sleep outside under the stars. That choice can make a huge difference in how the night feels—inside a tent you stay warmer and protected, outside you get the full sky view (and the full desert quiet).
Keep your expectations realistic about comfort. You’re in the Sahara, not a hotel. The value is in the setting and the included camp routine, not in luxury linens.
Sandboarding on Erg Chebbi: Fun You Can’t Fully Predict
Sandboarding is included, and I love that this is not optional extra pricing. It means you can try the dunes the way they’re meant to be played—sliding down a slope on a board—without needing to source rentals or negotiate guides separately.
What you should know: sandboarding feels different from anything on flat ground. The sand shifts, traction changes, and you’ll probably want to follow your guide’s setup and safety tips closely. If you haven’t done it before, expect a learning curve. That’s normal.
If you’re hoping for a gentle, first-time-only experience, tell your guide early. The tour doesn’t spell out skill levels, so the best move is to communicate what pace you want.
Sunrise and Breakfast: Why the Next Morning Matters
The schedule is built to get you up in time for sunrise. This is where the desert can feel almost unreal—light changes fast, shadows stretch out, and the dunes stop looking like sand and start looking sculpted.
After sunrise, you’ll have breakfast before continuing onward and then departing back. That breakfast moment is more than fuel. It’s the transition from night-time quiet to morning energy, and it helps you feel like you finished the story instead of just arriving at camp for dinner.
If you’re the type who struggles with early starts, plan ahead. Bring a positive attitude, since you’ll be trading sleep for a view you can’t get from a dashboard drive.
Price and Value: How $87.24 Adds Up for an Overnight
At $87.24 per person, this kind of overnight in the Erg Chebbi area can feel like a bargain—if the experience matches the inclusions. Here’s what you’re actually getting for that cost:
- Dinner plus tea/coffee
- Breakfast
- Sunset and sunrise
- Camel trekking (camel for each person)
- Private tent
- Sandboarding
- Local camel guide, taxes/fees, and handling charges
That mix matters. Many desert nights charge extra for “the big stuff” like transport by camel, tents, and evening meals. Here, the inclusions are the product, not an add-on list. Also, since it’s described as private for your group, you avoid some of the delays that happen when everyone is trying to coordinate in shared groups.
That said, the value depends on smooth execution. If camp organization is weak (even occasionally), it can change how you feel about dinner timing and attention. I like the core concept too much to call it bad value, but you should go in with flexible expectations.
Small Frictions to Plan For (Because Desert Nights Aren’t a Factory)
There are two realistic areas to keep in mind.
First: camp organization and service pace can vary. Some people found the setup unorganized or felt meals took a long time to arrive. Others had a great, welcoming camp. Since service isn’t standardized like a restaurant, treat this as a human-run experience.
Second: language comfort may not be the same for everyone. One guide might be friendly but speak less English or French, which can limit conversation. If you want more chat time, you’ll likely get it in pockets—on the camel ride or during camp music—rather than in a fluent, back-and-forth way the whole time.
The good news is that even when there are hiccups, the core experience—camel trekking, dunes, and night sky—often still lands. For many, the desert night is the highlight precisely because it’s not polished to death.
Who This Overnight Camp Is Best For
This is a strong match if you want a classic Merzouga desert experience without overthinking logistics. I’d especially recommend it for:
- Couples who want a romantic-feeling night under stars
- Solo travelers who like guided structure but don’t want to coordinate a bunch of separate bookings
- First-timers to the Sahara who want a clear, simple “camel + camp + sunrise” package
- Families who want an organized overnight (child policy says child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults, and children must be accompanied by an adult)
There’s also a vegetarian option available if you request it at booking. If you have dietary requirements, the notes say you should advise them during booking so the camp can plan meals.
If you’re sensitive to uneven ground, long sit times on camels, or early wake-ups, this tour might still work—but you should choose it with eyes open and keep your day focused on comfort tips like pacing, hydration, and dressing for desert temperature swings.
Should You Book This Camel Ride and Sahara Camp Overnight?
I think this is worth booking if you want the simplest path to the Erg Chebbi dunes with an overnight camp night and included sunset, sunrise, dinner, and sandboarding. The price looks fair for what you get, and the private-tent setup makes it easier to relax instead of rushing around.
I’d hesitate only if you need highly predictable meal timing and very smooth organization. This experience can be a bit more variable because it’s run by people in a desert setting, not a scripted production line.
If your goal is stars, dunes, and a genuine sense of desert life for one night, this tour hits the mark.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The experience starts at 4:30 pm.
How long is the experience?
It runs about 15 to 20 hours.
Where is the tour located?
It’s based in the Hassilabied, Morocco area, near Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Is dinner included?
Yes. Dinner is included, along with coffee and/or tea.
Does the tour include sunrise and sunset?
Yes. Sunset & Sunrise are included.
Is sandboarding included?
Yes. Sandboarding is included.
Is the tour private?
Yes. It’s listed as private, meaning only your group will participate.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Vegetarian option is available if you advise at the time of booking.
Are drinks included?
Drinks are not included unless specified.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time, and the tour may be rescheduled or refunded if poor weather prevents it.
