Camels Ride and Camping at Moroccan Sahara Desert

A night in Merzouga desert changes your pace. This overnight trip takes you from Erg Chebbi dunes on a camel ride, then into a Berber-decorated desert camp for dinner, sandboarding, and stargazing.

I really like the personal vibe at camp, with hosts such as Omar and his family making things feel calm and welcoming. I also love that the schedule is built around the desert moments: sunset on camelback, then sunrise the next morning.

The only real consideration is the cold at night in the dunes. If you hate chilly weather, pack warmer layers and don’t count on comfort being automatic once the sun drops.

Key things to know before you go

• Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour: camel ride timed for the best light
• Berber camp hospitality: Omar and his family-style hosting gets repeated praise
• Dinner plus breakfast included: tagine meal and mint tea in the evening
• Sandboarding: one of the most fun activities on the sand
• Music and stars: evenings around the fire and a sky that stays with you

A night in the Erg Chebbi dunes: what this trip delivers

This is an overnight Merzouga experience built around the desert doing what the desert does best. You get the big visual payoff first: Erg Chebbi’s towering sand dunes, glowing in sunset color. Then you switch from daytime sightseeing mode to night-sky mode, where the quiet and the stars feel like the main event.

What makes it work for me is the mix of comfort and real desert time. You’re not just dropped off for a photo. You ride in on camels, spend time at a desert camp decorated in the tradition of the Berber people, and then wake up for sunrise before heading back.

Two things to highlight: the camp experience itself and the hosting. Multiple guests describe the camp as clean, well equipped, and genuinely welcoming. Names that show up in that spirit include Omar and his family, and the Oussidi family is also referenced in descriptions of hosts. That matters because your night in the dunes depends on the humans making it easy.

Merzouga start time and the 15-hour rhythm

The trip starts at 8:00 am from Berber Palace Hotel Merzouga. The end point is back at the meeting point, so you’re not stuck planning your own return logistics.

Expect a long-but-manageable day because the timing spans both key desert moments: sunset and sunrise. The duration is listed as about 15 hours, which fits an overnight plan where you move out in the morning, arrive for the camel/sand part during daylight, then settle in for dinner and sleeping, and finally leave after morning breakfast.

If you’re the type who hates rushed schedules, you’ll probably still find this smooth because the “big moments” are spaced naturally: camel ride first, then camp time, then sunrise.

The camel ride: sunset color and a slower, stranger kind of motion

The headline activity is the camel ride across the sand. It’s described as part of the overnight journey from Merzouga into the dunes, and it’s timed for sunset so you get that orange sky effect that desert places do so well.

On a camel, you’re not bouncing around like you might expect. You move at a steady pace, and the silence is part of the deal. That combination is why this shows up as the standout memory for a lot of people: the feeling of being carried through dunes while the light changes fast around you.

Practical note: the night gets cold, and that same desert chill can start to creep in as you get deeper into the evening. Even if you’re fine in the day, bring a layer you can actually zip up when you stop moving.

Desert camp life: clean, Berber-style, and run like family

Once you arrive, the camp becomes your home base for the night. You’ll have time to explore your camp, and it’s described as decorated in the tradition of the Berber people. You also get time to settle in before the evening meal.

The strongest repeated praise centers on the hosts and the camp standards. People talk about friendly, attentive hosts and a warm family atmosphere—again, names like Omar come up, and the Oussidi family is mentioned as well. There’s also a clear emphasis on cleanliness. That’s huge in the desert, where comfort can be the difference between enjoying the stars and just trying to get warm enough to sleep.

You’ll likely notice the camp has a real setup rather than a bare-bones stop. Reviews mention it as beautiful, comfortable, well equipped, and clean. That means you can focus on the experience instead of managing basics all night.

Dinner under the desert night: tagine, mint tea, and warm hosting

Dinner is included, and it’s not just bread-and-butter. The experience includes a traditional tagine meal plus sweet mint tea. Eating this kind of food in the desert changes it. Indoors, tagine can feel like dinner. Outside, it feels like part of the night’s rhythm.

The service style also seems to matter. Guests specifically call out hosts being kind and helpful, and several mention feeling treated very well—like you’re not a transaction. That lines up with what you want when you’re dealing with a long day and a cold night: you want people who make things simple.

You should also know what’s not included. The tour lists drinks as not included, and tips as not included. So while the meal and tea are part of the plan, don’t assume additional beverages are covered.

Sandboarding and the evening shift from day energy to desert quiet

After the camel ride and camp arrival, you can enjoy sandboarding. It’s described as one of the funniest experiences, which makes sense: sandboarding is one of the few activities here that turns the desert into a playground.

Then the pace changes. The desert night is where the magic is often felt more than seen. Starry skies are a big promise of this excursion, and several guests mention evenings enriched by music around the fire. If you’re looking for something more than a silent stargazing moment, this is the kind of camp night where you might get both: a bit of sound, then quiet again.

One small reality check: when the desert cools down, the fun often becomes “fun plus chilly.” It’s worth planning for cold, especially if you’ll be sitting outside before and after the meal.

Getting up for sunrise and breakfast: the second big payoff

In the morning, you rise in time for sunrise. That’s not just a nice add-on. Sunrise is usually the moment when dunes go from dramatic to hauntingly soft, and it’s also the least crowded type of desert time.

After the sunrise viewing, you’ll have breakfast before leaving. Breakfast is included, and it gives you the energy you need because your day doesn’t end in the dunes. You’ll head back to the meeting point after breakfast, with the trip ending where it started.

Price and value around $58.16: what you’re paying for

At about $58.16 per person, this is one of those deals that only makes sense if you understand what’s wrapped together. For your money, you get:

• Camel ride
• Overnight desert camp
• Dinner (including tagine) and mint tea
• Breakfast

You’re also getting sandboarding and time built around sunrise and stars. That’s a lot of “experience layers” for one price, especially in a place where transport, guides, and overnight hosting can add up quickly.

What costs extra? Tips and drinks are listed as not included. That’s normal for this kind of tour. The key is that your major desert components are covered, so you’re not constantly paying for basics during the day.

My practical takeaway: if you’re already planning a Merzouga overnight anyway, this package value is strong because the camel ride and camp hosting are the hard parts to organize separately.

Who should book this and who might skip it

This works best if you:

• Want an authentic desert night with more than a quick stop
• Enjoy activities that are active but not technical (camel ride and sandboarding)
• Like the idea of music around a fire and a night-sky moment
• Appreciate a camp that’s described as clean and comfortable, not sketchy or rough

You might rethink if:

• You hate cold nights and don’t want to bring layers
• You want luxury in the city-hotel sense. This is a desert camp experience, so comfort is about cleanliness and hospitality, not matching a modern resort feel.

Also, the experience is described as something that most travelers can participate and it’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group joins. If you prefer a more personal group setup, that’s a plus.

Should you book this Merzouga camel camping overnight?

I’d book it if your goal is a real desert overnight where you get both big visuals—sunset and sunrise—and a camp night that’s clean and welcoming. The repeated praise for hosts like Omar and his family, plus the focus on camp cleanliness and comfort, suggests this isn’t just a “ride and vanish” setup.

I’d also book it if you want a balanced day: ride into dunes, do sandboarding, eat tagine and mint tea, then enjoy stars and music. And you get breakfast the next morning without extra planning.

The main reason to hesitate is simple: the desert can get cold at night. If you’re prepared for that, this tour is a strong value way to experience Erg Chebbi with less hassle and more real time in the dunes.

FAQ

How long is the Merzouga camel ride and desert camping experience?

It’s listed as approximately 15 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where does it begin?

It starts at 8:00 am from Berber Palace Hotel Merzouga.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point (Berber Palace Hotel Merzouga).

What’s included in the price?

Dinner, breakfast, the camel ride, and desert camp accommodations are included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are listed as not included.

Are tips included?

No. Tips are listed as not included.

Is it a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What activities will I do besides the camel ride?

You can also enjoy sandboarding, plus you’ll have time to view the sunrise and stargazing as part of the camp night.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, there’s no refund.

Is this suitable for most travelers?

The tour notes that most travelers can participate.