Marrakech desert tour
Quick answer: A Marrakech desert tour takes you to one of two Sahara destinations in Morocco: Merzouga, with its tall, colourful Erg Chebbi dunes, or Zagora, a rockier and quieter desert near the Erg Chigaga dunes. Merzouga is the more popular and practical choice; plan at least three days and two nights if you start from Marrakech.
Morocco has plenty of fantastic travel destinations, but a visit to the Sahara should be at the top of your itinerary. The Sahara is Africa’s largest desert, stretching across around a dozen countries including Morocco, so if you get the chance to see it here, take it.
Why Visit the Sahara on a Marrakech Desert Tour?
Far from the noise of big cities, some people have chosen the desert as their world: a place without borders where the whispers of freedom can still be heard. It suits travellers who appreciate unspoiled beauty, serenity and sincerity.
With its endless horizons, oases, kasbahs, villages and fabled dunes, the desert has long captured travellers’ hearts.
Planning Your Route Between Marrakech and Fez
To see everything Morocco has to offer between its two great cities, Fez and Marrakech, you need more than one day. A Marrakech desert tour should definitely be on your checklist.
There are also many multi-day options on a Marrakech to Fez desert tour, which include the most remarkable places and should not be missed by anyone looking for a genuine Moroccan holiday.
One of the first decisions for your Sahara trip is which part of the desert to explore and where to start. Travellers in Morocco usually visit one of two deserts:
- Merzouga, beside the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Zagora, the gateway to the Erg Chigaga dunes
Most tours begin in either Marrakech or Fez.
Merzouga Desert
Merzouga trips are the most famous Sahara excursions because the village sits right on the edge of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes. These dunes are higher and more colourful than the sands around Zagora, which makes them the more sought-after destination.
The area has plenty of comfortable resorts, and the dunes are only a thirty-minute camel ride away. That makes a Merzouga excursion straightforward and practical, ideal if you are short on time or don’t want to stray far from the main route.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech and Fez?
Merzouga is about a 9-hour journey from Marrakech or a 7-hour trip from Fez. On Marrakech desert tours, plan on at least three days and two nights, since you will stop overnight on the way there.
Zagora Desert
Zagora lies in southern Morocco, near the Erg Chigaga sand dunes. Because these dunes are 60 kilometres from the nearest road, reaching them takes much longer than getting to the dunes at Merzouga. You first travel to the small town of Zagora, then make a long journey across harsh desert terrain to Erg Chigaga.
Note that the Zagora desert isn’t the orange sea of sand many people expect. It is a rocky desert with an almost lunar look. For this reason, and because it takes longer to reach, it is less famous than Merzouga and tends to suit budget travellers and those who like to go off the beaten path.
How far is Zagora from Marrakech and Fez?
Zagora is approximately a 6-hour drive from Marrakech and a 9.5-hour journey from Fez.
Merzouga vs Zagora at a Glance
| Merzouga | Zagora | |
|---|---|---|
| Dunes | Erg Chebbi – higher, more colourful | Erg Chigaga – 60 km from the nearest road |
| Landscape | Classic orange sand dunes | Mostly rocky, lunar-looking desert |
| From Marrakech | About 9 hours | About 6 hours |
| From Fez | About 7 hours | About 9.5 hours |
| Best for | Most travellers, those short on time | Budget and off-the-beaten-path travellers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a Marrakech desert tour, Merzouga or Zagora?
Merzouga is the more popular choice thanks to the taller, more colourful Erg Chebbi dunes and easy access from the village. Zagora is closer to Marrakech but is rockier and less visited.
How many days do you need for a Marrakech desert tour to Merzouga?
Plan on at least three days and two nights, as the journey takes about 9 hours and includes an overnight stop on the way.
How long is the camel ride to the Merzouga dunes?
The Erg Chebbi dunes are only about a thirty-minute camel ride from Merzouga.
Conclusion
Whether you choose the golden dunes of Merzouga or the wilder, rockier Zagora, a Marrakech desert tour is one of the most memorable experiences in Morocco. Give yourself enough days, pick the desert that suits your style, and enjoy the silence of the Sahara.
