Camelback sunset in Merzouga feels unreal. This camel trek is built around a local Berber family camp, with nomad-style tents, mint tea at the start, and stories that explain how life works out here. I especially love the family-run touch and the way Bedouin camp life is the point, not a quick photo stop.

My second big win is the rhythm of the experience: sunset ride, dinner by the fire with drums, then a sunrise camel ride and breakfast the next morning. You also get sandboarding as part of the fun, so you are not just sitting on a camel and waiting for stars.

One possible drawback: the camp uses private tents but shared bathrooms, so if you need full privacy for every comfort, plan for some sharing in the facilities.

Key things I think you’ll care about

• Small group limit (10 people max) keeps the camp feeling calm and personal
• Two camel rides: sunset in, sunrise out
• Food + music by the fire: dinner with Berber drums and stargazing after dark
• Sandboarding is included, so you get a proper adrenaline moment
• Berber dress (turbant and jalaba) for photos and the full cultural vibe
• Shower available after the trip if you want to freshen up

Meet the Berber family behind the Merzouga camels

In Merzouga, a lot of desert camps exist. This one is different because it is tied to a living family base. The hosts are local Berber people who grew up in the Sahara way of life, lived in tents for a long time, and now use those same tent skills as a guest Bedouin camp.

That background matters for you. You are not just paying for a ride and a bed. You are stepping into how they explain nomadic life, with time to ask questions and listen to stories. The small group size (10 people max) helps a lot here. With fewer people, the camp feels more like a shared evening than a production line.

You’ll meet at a set start time of 3:00 pm. If you arrive by bus, they pick you up. If you come by car, they have free parking. That saves you from the usual Merzouga stress of trying to guess where the “real” start point is.

From mint tea to sunset dunes: how the camel ride works

Your afternoon begins with a welcome that is simple but well placed: Moroccan mint tea with the local family before you head out. It is the sort of detail that makes the whole thing feel less like check-in and more like being welcomed into someone’s evening.

Then the camels are waiting for the main event: a sunset camel ride toward the camp. This is one of the best parts of the experience because you get that classic desert timing—light is changing, the dunes look dramatic, and the ride becomes more than transportation.

A practical note: you should treat the camel ride as part travel, part activity. Wear something you can sit in comfortably for a while, and keep your essentials simple. If you bring a bag, think about what you want on you for photos and what can stay put.

Bedouin camp at Hassi Labied: dinner, drums, and sky time

When you reach camp, there is another tea time, plus dinner. The dinner is described as delicious, and it is part of the evening flow that keeps you from feeling rushed. After eating, you get Berber music with drums around the fire. This is one of those inclusions that changes the mood. The drums help move the night from quiet camp survival to a shared moment.

After the music, it is time for the thing you came for: the sky. You watch the stars and shooting stars after dark. In a place where the night is the main attraction, the order matters. You eat first, relax next, then the desert night gets your full attention.

Also, one detail I like in the setup: the camp provides water in the camp. That helps you stay comfortable during the long day, especially once the evening cools down.

If you care about authenticity, this is where it shows. The hosts describe themselves as nomads who use their tents as a Bedouin camp now that they are based in Hassi Labied Village. Even if you only catch pieces of that story, the camp feels like it comes from lived experience, not just a theme.

Tents, shared bathrooms, Berber dress, and showers

Your sleeping setup is straightforward and practical. You get a private tent, but the bathroom is shared. That is the one logistics point I’d underline. It is fine for most people, but it is not a hotel.

The camp also includes Berber dress—turbant and jalaba. You can use it for photos, sure. But the better value is that it helps you feel the cultural theme without needing to guess how to participate. Wear it when they suggest, and you’ll get the full experience without turning it into a costume.

After the desert night, you’ll return by camel to the meeting point. If you need it, there is a shower after the trip. That is a small thing that makes the biggest difference on the way back. Sand sticks. You will be happier with the chance to wash.

Other included comforts to note:

• tea and snacks during the evening
• water in the camp
• a camel guide throughout the ride

And a quick reality check: the desert experience here is not about luxury bedding. It is about the feeling, the timing, the people, and the night sky.

Sandboarding in the dunes: the included activity that adds variety

This experience includes sandboarding. That matters because desert tours can sometimes feel like a loop: ride, dinner, sleep, repeat. Sandboarding gives you a clear activity with a different body feeling.

It also gives you a good “I did something” memory beyond sunset photos. Whether you go slowly or go for the thrill, it breaks up the calm of the camel and the stillness of the stars.

Since the details of gear are not spelled out in the info you provided, I’d pack like you are going to get a bit dirty: wear shoes you can walk in through sand, and plan on sand in unexpected places. You’ll thank yourself later.

Price and value: why $52.34 can make sense

The listed price is $52.34 per person, and the experience runs about 20 hours (approx.). On paper, that’s a bargain if you compare it to how much time and how many included elements you get for one price.

Here is what you are actually paying for value-wise:

• Camel ride(s) timed for sunset and sunrise
• a camel guide
• camp dinner plus tea/snacks
• Berber music with drums around the fire
• stargazing time
• sandboarding
• Berber dress (turbant and jalaba)
• breakfast
• a shower if needed after you return

What is not included is also clear: alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and tips. That is pretty normal for this type of desert day. The key is that your big meals, the guided ride, and the camp experience are covered.

One more practical value point: the maximum group size is 10. If you hate being herded, this is part of why the reviews rate this so highly. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting and more personal attention.

Who should book this Merzouga camel trek

This is a great fit if you want:

• a Bedouin-style night with a family-run feel
• the classic Merzouga rhythm: sunset ride, fire dinner, sunrise ride
• the night sky experience plus at least one active moment (sandboarding)
• an experience that includes cultural touches like tea time and Berber dress

I would also recommend it for families and mixed groups because the structure is clear and the activities are simple to follow. The pace is more “evening adventure” than “all-day tour of stops.”

You should think twice if you:

• need a private bathroom (since tents are private but bathrooms are shared)
• want a strict, comfort-first schedule like a hotel stay
• expect alcohol or soft drinks included (they are not)

Practical tips so the desert night goes smoothly

A few hands-on ideas from how these experiences tend to run in Merzouga, plus the details you’ve got here:

• Start with layers. Even if daytime is warm, desert nights can feel cooler once the sun drops. A light jacket can save you from wishing you had one.
• Keep valuables minimal. You’ll want your phone for photos, but don’t bring a fragile camera setup unless you are used to protecting it.
• Pack for sand. Sandboarding and desert conditions mean you should expect sand in pockets, shoes, and hair.
• Dress for the camel ride. Loose layers can be better than tight stuff that rides up.
• Plan your photos around timing. Sunset on the dunes, star time after dinner, then sunrise. If you watch the sky in those windows instead of constantly checking your camera screen, you get more magic.

Also check your booking details. This activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. It is a good idea to double-check the meeting point instructions for your specific arrival method since pickup depends on whether you come by bus or you drive in.

Is Camel Treks in Morocco Sahara desert (Merzouga) worth booking?

If you want the Sahara to feel human—not like a packaged bus stop—this looks like a solid choice. The camp is capped at 10 people, it centers on a local Berber family and their nomad background, and it includes the big-ticket moments: sunset and sunrise camel rides, dinner with drums, stargazing, plus sandboarding.

I would book it if your must-haves are:

• camel rides timed for the light
• an authentic family camp vibe
• one included activity beyond the ride

I would hesitate only if your comfort needs are strict—especially around the shared bathroom. For most people, that trade-off is worth it because the desert night experience is the whole point.

FAQ

What time does the camel trek start in Merzouga?

The start time is 3:00 pm.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 20 hours (approx.).

Is pickup included if I don’t have a car?

Yes. If you come by bus, they offer pickup. If you come by car, there is free parking.

What is included in the package besides the camel ride?

You get a camel guide, tea/snacks, water in the camp, dinner and breakfast, Berber music with drums, sandboarding, Berber dress, a camel ride at sunset and sunrise, and a shower after the trip if needed.

Where do I sleep?

You sleep in a private tent with a shared bathroom.

What’s the cancellation policy if plans change?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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