Summary
The BEST way to see the incredible Erg Chebbi - a golden sea of sand dunes. A journey by camel into the 'true' desert area of the kingdom of Morocco.
START / FINISH - Erfoud [or Merzouga].
Activity code: ITCLAS03m
Duration: 2 Days
The highest dunes in Morocco's Sahara are in the far southeast of the country, beyond Erfoud and Merzouga at the wild sand sea of Erg Chebbi. This particular excursion is designed to be included in one of our self-drive holidays or as part of one of our popular chauffeur-driven private journeys.
What's the journey like?
All travel from Erfoud is by 4WD vehicle across the piste routes to Merzouga and then to the very edge of the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Where will you stay?
You will spend the night out in the desert, in a luxury Bedouin camp at the mesmerising dunes of Erg Chebbi. The sunsets and sunrises in the rarefied air of the desert simply take your breath away, this night will be spent in our carpeted, spacious, deluxe caidal tents or, of course, you may choose to lie out in the open under an awesome canopy of the starlit heavens.
The Luxury Camp at Tislite Noumzar is an isolated Sahara camp, exclusive and private situated in the North East of Erg Chebbi. It’s tucked away with high dunes enclosing you on all sides, just a couple of hours by dromedary from the starting point of the Auberge. There are typical Moroccan white tents and nomad Berber tents made from traditional dark materials, with proper mattresses, sheets and blankets as well as electricity inside providing all the comfort and privacy needed to enjoy your experience. There are also shared, flushable western toilets and hot showers.
On arrival at the bivouac a welcome cocktail will be served with Moroccan biscuits, followed by a copious Moroccan dinner in the stylish restaurant, a traditional mud-type house decorated in a Saharien style ... and in the evening, there will be plenty of music and dancing around a campfire. The following morning, before making the way back to the Auberge, an American breakfast will be served, (coffee, tea or hot chocolate and orange juice, Moroccan bread with butter, a choice of jams and olive oil, Berber pancakes, fried, boiled eggs or omelette, cheese and yoghurt). The luxury Sahara desert camp is an adventure not to be missed if you want to get the right feeling of nomadic and rural Morocco.
Important Information
There is a reduction possible if you are able to rendezvous independently in Merzouga, for example if you are on a self-drive holiday with a 4WD or if you have a private driver/guide booked through Rediscover the World which would also be in a 4WD vehicle. However, the 4WD transfer through the desert from Erfoud is part of the experience and is definitely not to be attempted in a regular vehicle.
We recommend that you bring the following: day pack (for camera, water bottles, hat, etc.); windcheater (seasonal), broad-brimmed hat (or you may purchase a 'Cheche' before you set out from Zagora); personal toiletries and towel; hygienic wipes (or gel); small First Aid kit; torch with batteries (non-essential); filled water bottle(s); sunscreen, sunglasses; nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred. Extra toilet rolls could come in handy! For those who wear contact lenses, perhaps it would be a good idea to bring along a spare pair of glasses.
Clothing: Comfortable clothes for travelling, loose clothing for the camel ride and warmer layers for the colder desert nights.
