Experience the Magic of a Morocco Night in the Desert
Author:
Alyssa Faraji
Published:
Morocco’s Sahara Desert offers a magical experience that is hard to find anywhere else. Spending a night in the desert is an unforgettable experience that offers a chance to disconnect from the world and connect with nature. The Sahara Desert is known for its vast landscapes, stunning sunsets, and clear skies that offer a perfect view of the stars.
There are many ways to experience a night in the Sahara Desert. Visitors can choose from a variety of tours that offer different experiences, from luxury camps to traditional Berber tents. Most tours start with a drive from Marrakech or Fez to the desert, where visitors can ride camels, watch the sunset, and enjoy a traditional dinner under the stars.
One of the most popular ways to experience a night in the Sahara is to stay in a luxury camp. These camps offer all the amenities of a hotel, including comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and even air conditioning. Visitors can enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and watch a performance by local musicians before retiring to their tents for the night.
A night in the desert is a unique and unforgettable experience and usually part of a Sahara Desert Tour. It involves spending a night in a traditional Berber-style desert camp, located in the heart of the Sahara Desert. The camp is typically made up of a collection of tents, set up on a sand dune, with a central area for dining and socializing.
During the day, visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as camel trekking, sandboarding, or quad biking.
As the sun sets, the camp comes alive with the sounds of traditional music and the aroma of delicious Moroccan cuisine being prepared for dinner. After dinner, visitors can gather around a campfire and enjoy a cup of mint tea, while gazing up at the stars in the clear desert sky.
One of the highlights of a Sahara Desert Camp is the opportunity to experience the silence and stillness of the desert at night. With no light pollution, the stars shine bright and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Visitors can also wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, before enjoying a traditional breakfast and departing the camp.
Why Experience a Night in the Desert?
A night in the Moroccan desert is an experience like no other. From unique cultural experiences to thrilling adventures, there are many reasons why travelers should add a night in the desert to their Morocco itinerary.
Unique Cultural Experience
Spending a night in the desert offers a unique opportunity to experience the traditional Berber way of life. Travelers can stay in a traditional Berber tent, enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner, and listen to live music around a campfire. They can also ride camels and explore the sand dunes, all while learning about the local culture from knowledgeable guides.
Stargazing Opportunities
The Moroccan desert is known for its clear skies and lack of light pollution, making it an ideal location for stargazing. Travelers can marvel at the beauty of the Milky Way and spot constellations they may have never seen before. Some desert camps even offer telescopes for a closer look at the stars.
Adventure and Thrill
A night in the desert offers a chance for adventure and thrill. Travelers can ride camels through the sand dunes, go sandboarding, or take a quad bike tour. They can also watch the sunrise over the desert and take in the breathtaking views.
When it comes to experiencing a night in the Moroccan desert, there are a few options to consider when choosing sahara desert tours. The most popular destinations for a night in the desert are Merzouga, Zagora, and Erg Chebbi. Each location offers a unique experience, and visitors can choose the one that best suits their preferences and travel plans.
Merzouga
Merzouga is a small village located in the southeastern part of Morocco, near the Algerian border. It is known for its stunning Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which are some of the highest in the country. Visitors can stay in a traditional Berber-style tent or a luxury camp and enjoy activities such as camel rides, sandboarding, and stargazing.
Zagora is a town located in the Draa River valley, about 350 km from Marrakech. It is known for its palm groves, kasbahs, and stunning desert landscapes. Visitors can stay in a traditional Berber-style tent or a luxury camp and enjoy activities such as camel rides, hiking, and visiting local villages.
One of the most popular overnight tours in Zagora is the 2-day trip from Marrakech, which includes a night in a desert camp, camel ride, and dinner under the stars. Visitors can also choose a longer tour that includes visits to other destinations in Morocco, such as Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou.
Erg Chebbi Desert
Erg Chebbi is a large area of sand dunes located near Merzouga desert. It is known for its stunning landscapes, sunsets, and stargazing. Visitors can stay in a traditional Berber-style tent or a luxury camp and enjoy activities such as camel rides, sandboarding, and quad biking.
One of the most popular overnight tours in Erg Chebbi is the 2-day Sahara Desert excursion, which includes a night in a desert camp, camel ride, and dinner under the stars. Visitors can also customize their experience and choose a longer tour that includes visits to other destinations in Morocco.
Overall, there are many options for experiencing a night in the Moroccan desert. Visitors can choose from a variety of destinations, tours, and activities to create a unique and memorable experience.
What to Expect During a Night in the Desert?
Traditional Berber Hospitality
During a night in the Moroccan desert, visitors can expect to experience traditional Berber hospitality. Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa and are known for their warm and welcoming nature.
Guests will be welcomed into a Berber camp where they will be served Moroccan mint tea and snacks upon arrival. They will then be treated to a traditional Berber dinner, which typically includes tagine, couscous, and other Moroccan specialties.
Guests can expect to be surrounded by the sounds of Berber music and the warmth of a campfire as they enjoy their meal.
Camel Trekking
One of the highlights of a night in the Moroccan desert is the opportunity to go camel riding. Visitors will be able to camel trek through the large sand dunes and experience the vastness of the Sahara and the desert sand, it is so much fun.
Camel trekking is a unique way to explore the desert and allows visitors to experience the same mode of transportation that has been used by the Berbers for centuries.
Visitors can expect to ride their camel for approximately an hour before arriving at the Berber camp where they will spend the night. Sometimes you can go on a sunset camel trek, which leads to an unforgettable night and is such an amazing experience on desert trips.
Spectacular Sunset and Sunrise Views
Another highlight of a night in the Moroccan desert is the spectacular views of the sunset and sunrise. Visitors will be able to watch the sun set over the desert dunes, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink.
As night falls, visitors will be able to see the stars in the sky like never before due to the lack of light pollution in the desert. In the morning, visitors can expect to wake up early to watch the sunrise over the desert, which is equally as breathtaking as the sunset.
Overall, a night in the Moroccan desert is a unique and unforgettable experience that visitors will cherish for years to come. From traditional Berber hospitality to camel trekking and breathtaking views, visitors can expect to be immersed in the beauty and culture of Morocco.
What to Pack for a Morocco Night in the Desert?
Clothing and Footwear
When planning a night in the Moroccan desert, it’s important to pack the right clothing and footwear for the climate and terrain. Loose, lightweight clothing is recommended to keep cool during the day and warm at night. Long pants and sleeves can also protect from the sun and insects. Comfortable, sturdy shoes or boots are necessary for walking on sand and rocky terrain.
It’s essential to pack 1-2 pairs of loose, light comfortable pants, loose, light tops, a few pairs of socks, and (sexy) underwear x 2/3. A wind and water-resistant jacket with a removable fleece or wool liner is also important, especially for colder nights in the desert.
Sun Protection
The Moroccan desert can be scorching during the day, so it’s important to pack sun protection. A broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF can help protect from the sun’s harmful rays. Long-sleeved shirts and pants can also provide additional protection.
A scarf or bandana can also be useful for protecting the face and neck from the sun and sand.
Personal Essentials
Aside from clothing and sun protection, there are a few personal essentials that are important to pack for a night on Morocco desert tours. A headlamp or flashlight can be useful for navigating in the dark, as there are no streetlights in the desert.
A sleeping bag or warm blanket is also necessary for colder nights, as temperatures can drop significantly. It’s also important to bring enough water and snacks for the night, as there are no stores or restaurants in the desert.
A thick jacket, light jacket, sweaters, and thermal wear are also recommended for colder nights in the desert.
FAQs for A Night in the Sahara Desert
Can you spend the night in the Sahara desert?
Yes, you can spend the night in the Sahara desert. Many tour operators offer overnight stays in traditional Berber camps, where visitors can experience the beauty of the desert under the stars. These camps typically provide tents, beds, and shared facilities, as well as traditional Moroccan meals and entertainment. The Sahara desert tours can be a private tour or a group tour.
Where to sleep in the desert in Morocco?
There are several options for accommodation in the Moroccan desert. The most popular choice is to stay at a traditional Berber camp, which provides a unique cultural experience. These camps usually have tents with comfortable beds and shared facilities, such as bathrooms and dining areas.
Alternatively, you can find luxury desert camps that offer more upscale amenities, like private tents with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. Some travellers also choose to stay in nearby towns, like Merzouga or M’Hamid, and take day trips to the desert, it will still be an amazing trip.
What is the desert in Morocco called?
The desert in Morocco is called the Sahara Desert. It is the largest hot desert in the world, stretching across North Africa and covering an area roughly the size of the United States. The Moroccan portion of the Sahara is known for its stunning sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and unique landscapes, making it a popular destination for travellers seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Where is Sahara Desert Morocco?
The Moroccan portion of the Sahara Desert is located in the southeastern part of the country, near the border with Algeria. It is best accessed from cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Ouarzazate, where you can find tour operators offering trips to the desert. The most famous sand dunes in Morocco, Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, are situated near the towns of Merzouga and M’Hamid, respectively.
