Merzouga Magic: Discover the Heart of the Sahara
- Margaux Delang
- 3 okt 2024
- 3 minuten om te lezen
Bijgewerkt op: 7 okt 2024
Merzouga, nestled in the heart of Morocco's eastern desert, is a stunning destination known for its sprawling sand dunes and captivating landscapes. This picturesque desert town is brimming with accommodations located close together, making it convenient to book various activities directly through your hotel or riad. If you’re not staying overnight, you can also arrange activities through local agencies along the main road.
We visited Merzouga during the height of summer, where temperatures can soar up to 48°C. Given the intense heat, it’s best to arrive later in the day to avoid the peak temperatures. We booked our activities easily through our accommodation via Booking.com, an efficient way to organize everything before arrival.
Merzouga offers a variety of iconic desert experiences, including camel trekking, quad biking, and sandboarding. It’s worth checking what activities are included in your stay, as some might incur additional costs. For instance, we paid 600 dirhams (€60) for a shared quad bike ride.
Camel riding is a must-do, allowing you to glide across the dunes as the sun sets over the horizon, offering mesmerizing views of the desert. For thrill-seekers, quad biking is an exhilarating way to explore the dunes at high speed. Sandboarding is another exciting option, giving you the chance to surf the dunes and enjoy the beauty of the golden desert slopes.
Merzouga is truly a desert paradise, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation. By planning your activities around the heat and making the most of the experiences on offer, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable stay in this magical corner of Morocco.
Where to stay?
When booking accommodation in Merzouga through platforms like Booking.com, especially for the various 'Desert Camps' offering glamping tents or bubble tents, it's essential to pay close attention to the details.
Firstly, ensure you filter your search for accommodations that offer air conditioning and confirm its availability before finalizing your reservation. Often, you may come across rates as low as €8 per night for what seems like a beautiful location. However, reading the fine print reveals additional charges upon arrival, sometimes exceeding €70 or more.
We stayed at Sunrise Desert Camp in a bubble tent. We arranged to meet someone from the accommodation at a specific point and followed their vehicle to a parking area just before the desert. From there, we were transported to the camp by their vehicles. The domain and the bubble tents were stunningly located and beautifully furnished, with an outdoor bed perfect for stargazing. The stay included dinner and live music around a campfire in the evening.
Despite the beautiful location and accommodations, we wouldn't necessarily recommend this place if you're visiting during the summer. The bubble tent had a portable cooler that mostly blew warm air, making it unbearably hot inside for sleeping. We attempted to sleep outside but found it uncomfortable due to the numerous flies. After a cold shower and using a wet towel in bed, we managed to sleep with the outside door open. However, a few hours later, the electricity went out, leaving us with no cooling at all. It was approximately 50 degrees Celsius in the bubble, making it incredibly uncomfortable.
Two years ago, friends of ours stayed in the Sahara at the Aiour Luxury Camp. They slept in beautifully decorated tents, each equipped with air conditioning, including the dining tent. This location is highly recommended for a stay in Merzouga, especially during the hot summer months.
By taking these precautions and choosing the right accommodation, you can ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience in the stunning desert of Merzouga.