Camel rides in the Sahara beat the usual sightseeing. This 2-day Merzouga stay puts you right by Erg Chebbi dunes with a camp built for comfort, including a private shower in your own tent. I love the mix of classic desert time—sunset, stargazing, and a night camp vibe—with real on-tent convenience like ensuite toilets. One thing to plan around: lunch and alcoholic drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want to eat before you start and keep that in mind.

Here’s how the night usually feels: calm dunes, a warm welcome, then dinner and music as the sky clears. The best part for most people is the value for the full package—camel ride, sandboarding, and meals—without having to coordinate multiple stops on your own.

Erg Chebbi at Sunset: Why This Overnight Feels Worth It

Erg Chebbi is famous for those dramatic orange dunes that look like they’re glowing when the sun starts to drop. What makes this experience special is that your first taste of the dunes isn’t a quick photo stop. You ride camels through the sand, pause in the dunes for sunset views, then continue to camp after the light shifts.

Two details matter a lot here. First, the camel guides are set up to take you to the best sunset viewpoint and keep the experience moving at a comfortable pace. Second, the camp is built right in the dunes—so you’re not rushing out again at night to chase a view.

What You Get in the Shooting Stars Camp Tent (And What It Means)

This isn’t a “sleep on the ground and hope for the best” desert night. The camp has 10 tents, and each one is described as spacious (about 26 sqm) and set up like a real room: a king-size bed plus a single bed, with high-quality bedding (pillows, sheets, and a towel). Each tent also has an ensuite bathroom, including a toilet and a private hot-water shower.

That changes how you experience the desert. You’ll still feel the Sahara outside, but you won’t feel trapped by basic comforts. After dinner, you can walk to stargazing areas without the stress of cold showers or shared facilities. In the bathroom you’ll have soap, shampoo, and toilet paper, plus hot water for showers.

Small but helpful comfort facts to keep in mind

• Bottled water is provided for meals.
• The included meals are described as buffet-style breakfast and dinner.
• Dinner includes accommodation for dietary needs.

The one “consideration” is straightforward: you’ll be on a desert schedule. That usually means early mornings and a tight evening flow—great if you like stargazing and sunrise, less great if you want to sleep late.

Day 1: Camel Ride Through the Dunes to a Camp Dinner Under Stars

Your day starts at Hassilabied (the meeting point listed as 6284+H5P, Hassilabied, Morocco). From there, you’re taken into the dunes with camel guidance aimed at a good sunset experience.

The Erg Chebbi camel portion: not just riding, but timing

You’ll park your car, then take a camel ride into Erg Chebbi. The ride lasts about 30 minutes and includes a key moment: you stop in the middle of the dunes until the sun sets. This is the part you’ll remember. You get the slow view, the quiet away from noise, and time to take photos because the guides are proactive about photography.

If you want photos, don’t be shy—these guides are described as good at taking pictures for you. Ask in the moment when you’re at the best angle, not after the light fades.

Transition to camp: tea, pastries, and tent intro

After sunset, you continue by camel toward the camp. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with tea, almonds, and pastry. Then you’re introduced to your private tent and ensuite bathroom setup.

From a comfort standpoint, this matters. By the time you eat, you’ll already be settled. You won’t have that feeling of wandering around after a long ride. The restaurant area is set up so you can eat while enjoying a panoramic view of the dunes.

Dinner and after-dinner vibe: Berber drums and a campfire

Dinner is included (buffet-style, with dietary needs supported). Afterward, there’s a party around the bonfire with live local music and Berber drums. There’s also a simple stargazing angle: you can enjoy a walk under the starry sky.

This isn’t “sit and be entertained.” It’s more of a shared atmosphere where the rhythm of the night unfolds around the dunes.

Sandboarding: where it fits into the dunes experience

Sandboarding is listed as included, and it’s the kind of activity that makes sense during your time in Erg Chebbi. While the exact timing isn’t spelled out in the day-by-day stops, you should expect time to try it as part of your dune time, since it’s part of the package.

If sandboarding is a priority, I’d confirm when it happens when you check in—so you don’t end up missing your chance because you’re focused on photos.

Day 2: Sunrise Peace, Breakfast Views, and Your Trip Back

The second day starts early for the sunrise. You wake up in time to watch the desert quiet down as the sun comes up. Then you enjoy a fresh breakfast in the restaurant with panoramic views of the dunes.

Breakfast here is more than fuel. It’s your last chance to take in the dunes without the crowds and without the heat that tends to build later. If you like calm moments, this part is for you.

Getting back: camels or Jeep

After breakfast, you have a choice for getting back to your car: you can ride camels through the dunes or go by Jeep. This flexibility helps if you’re tired from the night ride and want a faster return, or if you’d rather keep your desert time going.

The overall pace is designed to keep you on schedule while still giving you a proper sunrise-to-breakfast block.

Price and Value: How $69.79 Stacks Up for a Private Camp Night

At about $69.79 per person, this trip is priced like a mid-range desert overnight package. What helps the value is that you’re not paying separately for the main desert experiences.

Included items cover the essentials people come for:

• Camel ride into the dunes
• Sandboarding
• Dinner and breakfast
• Tea and a welcome setup
• Campfire and live Berber music
• Private transportation
• A deluxe tent with an ensuite bathroom and hot shower
• Bottled water for meals

That combination is the key. A lot of cheaper desert options try to sell you a bed but charge extra for the good parts. Here, the expensive-feeling pieces—private tent with hot shower and the full meal plan—are already included.

What’s not included (so you don’t get surprised)

• Lunch
• Alcoholic beverages

Also, if alcohol matters to you: alcohol is only available to guests over 18, and it’s not listed as included.

The Details That Make It Feel Premium (Even When It’s Simple)

Sometimes “deluxe” just means nicer bedding. Here, the comfort details seem practical and specific.

Your ensuite tent setup

You get:

• a king-size bed and a single bed
• high-quality bedding plus a towel
• a toilet and private shower inside the tent
• soap, shampoo, and toilet paper
• hot water for showers

That means you can go back to your tent after dinner and freshen up without needing to track down shared facilities in the dark.

The camp’s atmosphere

You also have space to slow down: open-air communal areas where stargazing fits naturally into the night. Add the campfire with live local music and Berber drums, and you get a desert evening that feels social without being chaotic.

Who This Desert Overnight Is Best For

This experience fits best if you want a classic Merzouga desert night with real comfort.

You’ll likely love it if you:

• want an overnight in Erg Chebbi without sacrificing a hot shower
• care about sunrise and sunset views timed for good light
• like structured moments (camel ride, dinner flow, music, walk under stars)
• appreciate a camp that supports dietary needs for meals

You might skip it if you:

• only want a quick stop and don’t want an overnight schedule
• want lunch included automatically
• expect alcoholic beverages to be part of the package

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

Based on how this experience is built, a few prep moves help a lot:

• Plan for no lunch included. Eat before pickup if you can, and keep water in mind since bottled water is listed for meals.
• If sandboarding is on your must-do list, confirm when you’ll try it after you arrive in camp.
• Bring a camera or phone and be ready to ask for photos during the dune stop at sunset.
• Expect an early start for sunrise. If you’re sensitive to mornings, pack a backup plan for getting back to calm quickly after day two.

Should You Book Shooting Stars Camp for Erg Chebbi?

Yes, I’d book it if you want the Sahara experience with a comfort-first setup. The private tent with hot shower is a big deal, and the package includes the core hits: camel ride at sunset, sandboarding, and a night camp atmosphere with dinner and live Berber drums.

Skip or reconsider if you’re traveling for just a short taste of the dunes and you’d rather build your own food plan. Also factor in that lunch isn’t included, and alcoholic beverages aren’t part of the included package.

If your goal is an organized, value-friendly Erg Chebbi overnight with a real chance at great sunset and sunrise views, this is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the Erg Chebbi overnight experience?

It’s an approximately 2-day experience, with activities across Day 1 and Day 2.

What’s included in the price?

Included are dinner and breakfast, sandboarding, private transportation, a camel ride, tea, drum party, and bottled water for meals, plus the deluxe tent setup.

Is pickup offered, and does it return you to the start point?

Pickup is offered. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are the tents comfortable, and do they have private bathrooms?

Yes. You get a deluxe tent with an ensuite bathroom and shower, plus toilets in the tent. The tent setup includes a king-size bed and a single bed, with bedding provided.

Is sandboarding included, and when do you do it?

Sandboarding is listed as included, and it’s part of the overall dune experience during your time with the camp.

What kind of meals are provided, and can they handle dietary needs?

Dinner and breakfast are included and described as buffet-style. Meals can be prepared according to dietary needs. Lunch is not included.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel 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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