Is the Sahara Desert Worth It? What a Morocco Desert Tour Is Actually Like
The drive is long and the dunes near Merzouga are no secret anymore — here's an honest look at what a Sahara desert tour actually involves, and why people still say it was the best part of their trip.
We get asked this constantly by travelers weighing whether to spend two driving days on a desert overnight instead of staying closer to Marrakech or Fes. Having run this route many times, our answer is straightforward: yes, but go in with the right expectations.
Is the Desert Too Touristy Now?
Erg Chebbi, the dune field near Merzouga most tours visit, is undeniably popular, and you will see other camel trains and other camps in the distance. That said, popularity doesn't erase the scale of the place — once you're a few dunes deep, the crowds thin out and the landscape does what it's always done, which is make you feel very small. If total solitude is your priority, options like Erg Chigaga exist further south, but they cost an extra day or more of driving. For most travelers, Erg Chebbi's balance of accessibility and genuine beauty is the right trade-off.
Is the Camel Trek Uncomfortable?
It's not a smooth ride — camels have an odd, rolling gait, and an hour or so in the saddle can leave you a little sore, especially the first time. It's manageable for almost everyone, including first-time riders and most families, but if you have back or hip issues, say so in advance, because a 4x4 transfer to camp is usually available as an alternative. Wear looser trousers, expect a bit of jostling getting on and off, and treat it as part of the experience rather than a mode of transport that needs to be comfortable.
Is the Long Drive Worth It?
This is the real question, because the drive from Marrakech or Fes takes the better part of a day each way. We'd say yes, largely because the drive itself isn't dead time — it passes through the Atlas Mountains, kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, and gorges like Dades or Todra, so you're seeing a real cross-section of Morocco rather than just covering distance to reach a hotel. If you treat the journey as part of the trip rather than an obstacle to it, the desert night at the end feels earned rather than like a long detour.
What a Typical Camp Night Includes
Most desert camps follow a similar shape: you arrive by camel or 4x4 in the late afternoon, settle into your tent, and watch the sunset from the dunes before dinner, which is usually a tagine or similar meal served in a communal tent. Afterward there's often music around a fire — Berber drumming is common — before everyone heads to bed under a genuinely dark sky. Tents range from simple to quite comfortable depending on the camp, but nearly all include real beds and blankets rather than sleeping bags on the ground, which surprises some first-timers.
Related tours
Marrakech Desert Express: 3 Days to Merzouga
The most direct route from Marrakech to the Sahara and back — you're on the road to Merzouga from the very first morning, camping under the dunes on night one, then looping home past Ait Ben Haddou and the Atlas on the way back.
View Details
3-Day Marrakech to Sahara Desert Tour
A classic round trip from Marrakech into the Sahara — a first day through the Atlas passes and Ait Ben Haddou before reaching the dunes, with your night under the stars at Erg Chebbi on night two, then the drive back to Marrakech.
View DetailsRelated guides: Merzouga, Sahara Desert
Planning where to start? See tours from Marrakech.
Related reading: Can You Visit the Sahara Desert as a Day Trip From Marrakech?, Do You Need a 4x4 to Visit the Sahara Desert?.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sahara desert tour worth the long drive?
Most of our travelers say yes — the drive passes through mountains, kasbahs, and gorges, so it isn't wasted time, and the desert night itself is usually a trip highlight.
Is the Sahara too crowded with tourists to be special?
Erg Chebbi is popular, but the scale of the dunes means it rarely feels crowded once you're away from the main access points and settled into camp.
Is camel trekking painful or uncomfortable?
It's a bit bumpy and can leave you slightly sore after an hour, but it's manageable for most people, and a 4x4 alternative is usually available if needed.
What's actually included in a typical desert camp night?
Generally a camel or 4x4 transfer, a tent with real bedding, dinner, music around the fire, and sunrise the next morning — specifics vary slightly by camp.
Is one desert night enough to feel worth it?
Yes for most travelers — it's a focused experience rather than a long stay, and one night covers the highlights without adding extra driving days.
Do I need to be fit to do a desert tour?
No special fitness is needed. Walking on sand and a short camel ride are the only physical requirements, and both are manageable for most ages.
Is it worth visiting the Sahara in summer?
Daytime heat is intense, but early morning and evening activities like the camel trek and sunset are timed around the worst of it, so it's still doable.