Among the most incredible natural phenomena in Morocco that tourists should not miss visiting is the Merzouga Desert, boasting spectacular dunes that are worth a visit and a great experience. This gem is a mixed bag of natural beauty, thrilling adventures, and rich local culture, which can be found in the southeast of the kingdom and near eastern parts of the kingdom.
The geography of Erg Chebbi
It is the Erg Chebbi that is the most surprising attribute of Merzouga, which is an expansive mass of sand dunes that are 50 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. These dunes are not ordinary sand hills but mountains of golden and orange sand, some rising to 350 metres, which, under the influence of wind and sun, form an awesome landscape of endless motion.
The history and culture of Merzouga.
Merzouga has never been a plain desert land; it is a deserted oasis and an essential point of passage of trade caravans that traveled south to Timbuktu. With the course of time, it turned into a global tourist attraction and a haven of the nomadic tribes Ait Atta. Merzouga got its name to the word provision, since it is called the land that God feeds without difficulties, to describe the generosity of nature and the power of the land that attracts people and leads them to prosperity.
Memorable experiences and events.
Merzouga desert can provide everyone with activities they would like:
Camel rides: A symbolic activity in Merzouga, the visitors are able to take off on camel rides through the dunes to see wonderful sunsets and sunrises. Such hikes are usually concluded with a camping night out in the traditional desert camps.
Camping in the stars: no matter whether the desert camps are regular or luxurious, it is a unique chance to experience the life of nomads and enjoy the amazingly clear skies with starry constellation, without the glare of the city.
4×4 and quad tours: Adventure and speed lovers are able to visit the rocky sandy areas being taken by 4×4 or quad tours.
Sandboarding: This is a fun activity that allows one to slide down the sand dunes in a special board and this has a different and sensational experience compared to snowboarding.
Natural therapy: The area is a well known therapeutic one. During the summer seasons, the area receives a large number of visitors who come to take the hot sand baths, which is one of the methods of treating joint and rheumatic pain.
Local culture: Explore local villages like Khamlia where the descendants of the sub-Saharan Africa live, and listen to some traditional Gnawa music.
Best time to visit and travel arrangements: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to visit Merzouga and do a traveling and sightseeing mission. One should not go during the very hot summer seasons (July and August) when it can get up to 50 °C and during winter when it can get quite cold at night.
Merzouga can be reached by long car trips by such large cities as Marrakech or Fez, and it could be explored either privately or on guided tours.
Overall, Merzouga is not only a desert, but a fusion of memorable excursions that baffle the visitors with memorable impressions, both the magic of the ever shifting dunes and the hospitality of the Berber people.