12 Fun Things To Do In Merzouga

Indulge in superb dusks and guide your adventurous spirit as you ride a ravishing camel over the golden sand hills of Erg Chebbi.

Merzouga, a little town in southeast

, gives the curious traveler an exotic flavor of desert life, and treks to adjacent towns that will compensate you with a taste of African celebration expressed in dance and music.

In this small village you will find the most hospitable people in the planet.

If you find yourself in trouble, or your car broke down in the middle of the road, you will always encounter somebody, somewhere, who will show up all of a sudden and will always be ready to help, no matter what.

They will even lend you their skis and snowboards if your choice of adventure requires it.

Best time to visit Merzouga ?

The humid summer months in the middle of June- September can be mercilessly hot amid the day, and does not guarantee a considerable measure of fun.

The temperatures normally range around 45° Celsius during the peak of summer and during the mid year season the heat is quite unbearable and not ideal for any outdoor adventure, trekking or hiking in the desert.

The months of March- April bring strong chances of dust storms.

The ideal time to see this small town is during winter which occurs from October – February.

Winters in the desert do get much colder however and you’ll require a decent coat regardless of the possibility that you’re sweltering amid the day.

What are the Best things to do in Merzouga?

Here is a rundown of all the exciting activities to do in here, in addition I will show you my favorite things to do and beautiful places to visit on your next holiday to Merzouga.

Merzouga Desert

If you have the opportunity to go to Merzouga Desert , do not hesitate to do so.

The tranquility of the dunes is something you will not experience anywhere else.

Undoubtedly, the most unforgettable wilderness experience is to see the sunset and sunrise with its high dunes of golden sand and contrasting colors and you cannot miss the experience of sleeping in a home of traditional Berber while being serenaded by the sound of drums and dances.

The color and shape of the dunes at any time of day or night but especially during sunset is very special.

Quite certainly the Merzouga Desert is one of the best parts of

, walking in the dunes under the moonlight is an experience that you will treasure about this little town.

I liked everything but this place me captive.

You cannot miss a visit if you are in the Meknes –Tafilalet region because it is popular for being spectacular and grandiose.

Spend more time to circulate and do not buy an souvenirs there, in other areas of less-touristy place in Merzouga you can buy anything you want at a price that is much cheaper.

The Berber homes are mostly cozy (equipped with bathrooms and showers) and with a delicious dinner prepared by the host family.

One of the

to explore its features is to watch a Berber amusement show filled with dances and music around the campfire under the impressive canopy of stars and especially good vibes by the hosts.

Getting to Merzouga and camel riding out to the Great Sahara is like being in a “movie”.

You have to feel and live this memorable adventure experience.

Many times it is very difficult to convey the energy that one manages to see in certain circumstances and in certain places, this site is no exception.

If you can, do not hesitate to experience sleeping in the “tents” of the Sahara.

It is true that Merzouga is hot but the scenery, solitude, dunes, night, stars, show, in short everything, is something worthwhile.

If you go to this country, you cannot leave without visiting the desert of Merzouga.

My favorite stuff to do in Merzouga

Merzouga Dunes

The Merzouga Dunes is

.

Spending the night in the desert and reaching the camp by camel on the high dunes of the desert is something to be experienced.

All you can comment is that it is not enough to describe the wonderful setting in which you are immersed.

The place is more than recommended, you have to live and see it in your own eyes.

Coming from Fez, the first interesting image you will see is the dunes of Merzouga.

The dunes change color according to the light that they reflect.

The scenery is stunning and very much

.

The sunset brings a moment of peace and reflection as it strikes the landscape of Merzouga.

The dunes are very high (150 feet tall) and you have to prepare with water (always walk with water, backpack, and flashlight).

It is best to walk barefoot because not much breaks the sand or even in sandals.

Cotton clothing is better than synthetic.

It’s a different world and you will end up doing an immersion to their culture and way of life if you intend to stay overnight or a few days.

The simple life here is very beautiful.

The photos are great at dawn.

The sunset gets behind the dunes and around the ’empty lands “.

Get ready before heading out to the dunes because the climb is strong and tiring and don’t be surprised to see life in the wilderness like; birds getting near you, dark beetles, camels, and grass.

Popular Merzouga tourist attractions

Galerie Laoun

The Galerie Laoun is an art gallery at the gates of the Moroccan desert that is a bit surprising to discover.

You will be warmly welcomed by Johanna and Lahcen, two artists brought together by their passion.

The paintings exhibited in this gallery are incredibly rich and you will carry through the authenticity and truth of their painting.

If you are in Merzouga, make a detour to this art gallery at the little village of Khamlia and you will not be disappointed!

Even the staff is very welcoming; the owners open the doors of their colorful world.

They even offer to drink a small glass of mint tea on their terrace to admire the dunes and the small moments of happiness and peace.

What else to do in Merzouga ?

Camel Trekking (Day Tours)

The three-day tour with Camel Trekking is a wonderful experience for the whole family.

The driver Ibrahim is good and careful when it is needed.

He has extensive

.

Along the way he will make enough stops and always do his best to cater to his passenger’s needs.

The tour requires a stop in a beautiful fossil museum and to see lots of exhibits and interesting archaeological finds.

Everything is well organized, good car, stay in the desert alone with guides and a group of 6 tourists who must come and stay together in the large camps.

The guide and the staff know very well what they are doing and inform every guest extensively about Morocco and its history and will not allow you to come along the shops alone.

The ride is diverse and beautiful stops along the important places in Merzouga are made.

The trek along the sand with the camel is a wonderful journey; it’s like being taken into a world where the eyes are not enough to fill the mind with such beauty!

The organizers are very polite and professional.

Another noteworthy feature is the dinner with Berber songs and a magnificent meal of tea and fresh fruit, and a meal of meat tagine while admiring the stars from the dune.

It is an experience that everyone must do while in Merzouga.

For 40 € per head you cannot give up this fantastic experience; starting from 16.

15 Riad Mamouche just before Merzouga, an hour and a half’s journey in the dunes at the edge of the dromedary guided by the reliable and friendly staff of Camel Trekking.

Is Merzouga worth visiting?

The answer is Yes.

Merzouga is worth visiting.

This is because it is such a magical place

full of beauty and magic.

Don’t forget to do the following incredible tours:

Tour del Marocco

The Tour del Marocco is organized by Erika and her staff who will make sure that your tour of the Merzouga will be really special and memorable.

The guides are amiable and you will feel comfortable to communicate your wishes and needs.

The tour is perfect and it starts from the discovery of the Moroccan medinas, mosques, and markets, to the almost mystical tranquility of the desert Berber, through unique landscapes, with long straight roads, barren mountains that dominate the breathtaking colors of the green valleys of palms, olive and fig trees.

The tour around the city or Merzouga is made more enjoyable from the great hospitality and kindness of the guides while passing through the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

The structures, riads and hotels, were all satisfactory and some really beautiful, but always clean and comfortable.

If you look for a well organized tour with knowledgeable people, nice and available to discover Morocco and its thousand landscapes, trust without fear to Erika and her staff in Morocco.

The ride is well organized and the guides who work with her are great.

Soul Adventure 4×4 Day Tours

A magical and unforgettable journey through the streets and sands of Merzouga.

Said’s packaged adventure on board a 4×4 is convenient (and fun) as it turn the van in all the stages of the tour.

The tour guides here are friendly and always smiling especially the driver Ahmed.

From the desert to the streets the trip is absolutely remarkable.

The guides are always punctual and tolerate each day with good humor and the noise of their robust van as it treks through the desert.

Must see places in Merzouga

Yasmina Lake

In March, and once in a while October, contingent upon the amount of downpour or precipitation there is a lake that structures behind the Yasmina border that invites flamingos and different winged animals and bird watchers even from miles away.

If you’re lucky enough and the lake has sufficient water after the rainy season in Merzouga, flamingoes can be seen along the Yasmina Lake and photographed.

It is a good option from the desert and sand dunes adventure in this side of Morocco.

What else to see in Merzouga ?

Merzouga Village

While in Merzouga, do not pass up on the chance to visit the Merzouga Village .

Right there, you will realize that it is one of the first things to see and understand if you want to know the desert parts and spectacular dunes of Merzouga.

You can walk around the beautiful places around the village and get off on the most relevant and anywhere else that you wanted to take photograph.

After seeing beautiful points of interests in the town you can have lunch and continue visiting other places like the Rissani, where you can ride camels and begin your journey into one of the largest dunes in Merzouga and arrive at the Haima.

It is a place whose beauty is indescribable.

You can watch the sunset as the Berber host prepares for a lovely dinner.

They prepare to eat on the floor in the traditional way, on carpets and cushions.

Then enjoy how they play drums and the jokes and anecdotes and then enjoy the silence, the stillness and the spectacular starry sky as far as you grip the dream to sleep a little while and wake up to see the beautiful sunrise.

Popular places to visit in Merzouga

Erg Chebbi

Over the years it has changed a bit and lost a little charm that it had years ago when it was not so known and advertised.

Despite this, if you are in Erg Chebbi , watching the sunset to spend the night and then waiting for the sunrise from behind the dunes is worth a trip.

If you walk around a bit and you go on the top of some dunes you can contemplate in the silence and hearing the sound of the wind and the nature of the immensity of the desert provides the right setting for some moments of contemplation.

This part of Merzouga is still exciting and always worth a trip.

The desert is something unique, it is almost impossible to describe the emotions that evoke the beauty of the dunes and the silence that pervades.

It is an absolute must to visit this site.

Things to do in Merzouga with kids

Mohaventura – Day Tours

A wonderful experience that is also memorable, fun, exciting, rich, and really intense.

The owner and guide Moha is very friendly and it is pleasant to listen to his stories about the Berbers in the dunes and under the stars.

The food is fabulous and the evening dance is unforgettable.

Anyone interested in the culture and history of the Berbers, Moha is an endless source of knowledge, and is willing to sit next to you and tell interesting stories that is also dotted with funny anecdotes about life in the Merzouga desert.

Things to do around Merzouga

Khamlia Village

A  little town in the desert by the greatest rises at Erg Chebbi.

It is around 7 km from the town of Merzouga, and one of the best approaches to Taouz, Zagora and the mine areas.

Both to Zagora and M’fis you can go just by 4×4 on its paved road, while from Taouz, it is an all asphalt road.

In Khamlia, there are currently three little shops, café and the school.

They have their own source of power and water here.

All houses are built the same way and around 150 persons live for each block.

The larger parts of individuals are mostly black people.

It is still a calm spot without numerous vacationers and numerous hotels present in the area.

You can discover there only one inn and two transient houses for tourists.

You will discover here the celebrated music of the Gnawa group.

Their music is customary and speaks with the riddles made from the beauty of the desert.

Gnawa singing group can gladly play and perform for you yet for themselves as well.

If you listen well and keep your heart and ears open, even your spirit and senses will dance to their upbeat rhyme.

Getting to Khamlia is not simple especially if you don’t have your own vehicle.

You can take a taxi or arrange for an alternate driver from Merzouga.

To go from Khamlia is more troublesome on the grounds that the individuals won’t need you to backtrack.

They are glad to have you and delighted to show that on this side there is still a quiet and serene life in the busy town of Merzouga.

There are a host of things to do out here like; perceive how local people live; look and figure out how to prepare their home-made bread and couscous or tagines, consume with them and enjoy the beverage Berber “bourbon” tea.

Take a camel trek into the sand rises to see dusk or dawn.

Spend overnight in the sand hills in a Nomad tent, take a supper close to the open air fire, listen and move to the hip and cool Gnawa music.

Merzouga is a little settlement that is situated along the perimeters of the famous Sahara Desert and really close to Morocco’s

.

The town is close to an auberge (lodging) or shack areas of Morocco.

The villages of Khamlia, Erfoud and Rissani are the closest towns, and it has a decent 30-45 moment drive through the desert to achieve Merzouga.

It is a great experience to see the Sahara and take a camel trek and the numerous hiking adventures into the desert.