There’s nothing quite like the Sahara Desert — endless dunes set against bold blue skies, the golden light at sunrise and sunset, and a stillness that feels otherworldly. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping mint tea under a Bedouin tent or riding a camel through the awe-inspiring landscape, your Sahara tour is bound to be unforgettable. But if you’ve never been before, you’re no doubt looking for as many insights into what you can expect as possible.
In this blog, we provide first-time travelers with the most common things our previous guests wished they knew before setting off. We welcome people from all around the world on our Morocco luxury holiday packages, so we know what tends to surprise people!
Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for your desert adventure. This list isn’t exhaustive, so if you have more questions, feel free to contact us or visit our FAQ page.
It Takes Time to Reach Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga
One of the biggest surprises for many travelers? Just how remote the Sahara really is. Both Erg Chebbi (near Merzouga) and Erg Chigaga (near M’Hamid) are hours from the nearest major cities.
Desert tours from Marrakech take approximately nine to 10 hours to reach Erg Chebbi and seven to eight hours to get to Erg Chigaga. On desert tours from Fes, we only visit Erg Chebbi, and the journey is a little shorter compared with Marrakech, coming in at around eight hours. And when we tell you that desert tours from Casablanca take between nine and 11 hours to reach both destinations, you will start to see the pattern!
But at Desert Luxury Camp, we use these distances and travel times to our advantage. By staggering our experiences out over multiple days, we can truly immerse you in the beauty, culture, and history of southern Morocco. This includes scenic stops in the High Atlas Mountains, at Aït Ben Haddou, and the Draa Valley, to name only a few!
The drive is part of the adventure, and we make sure our guests are comfortable and entertained throughout. But it’s worth being mentally prepared for a real journey into the heart of the desert.
Book Your Luxury Tour Early and Read Reviews
Because the best desert camps offer limited accommodations for a more intimate experience, early booking is highly recommended — especially during peak seasons (spring and autumn).
Luxury camps vary in what they offer. At Desert Luxury Camp, all our tents have en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, and access to electricity… all-important for charging those devices!
But not all camps are the same; even our Erg Chebbi desert camp and Erg Chigaga desert camp offer different experiences. Take the time to read reviews, check inclusions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something’s important to you — like private transfers or vegetarian meals — confirm it ahead of time.
Check out our reviews when you have finished here and see how highly our previous guests rate us.
The Sahara is Even More Magical Than You Can Imagine!
Photos can’t do it justice. The scale, the silence, the way the light changes across the dunes — it’s almost spiritual. Whether you’re in the more accessible Erg Chebbi, known for its tall orange dunes, or the remote wilderness of Erg Chigaga, where you may not see another soul, the feeling is the same: awe.
Guests often tell us their time in the desert was the highlight of their trip to Morocco, not just because of the landscape but because of the peace they found here.
Unsure which of our camps is the best fit for you? Read our Erg Chebbi Travel Guide and Erg Chigaga Travel Guide to discover more about each destination.
It Gets Cold in the Desert at Night
Yes, the Sahara is hot during the day — but it can get chilly at night, especially from October through March. Temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F) and even lower in the winter months. At Desert Luxury Camp, we provide extra blankets, warm bedding, AC units that work at night in our Erg Chebbi camp, and cozy seating by the fire, but we recommend that guests bring a warm jacket, a scarf, and long pants for evening stargazing or early-morning sunrise hikes.
Our blog What It’s Like to Spend the Night in the Sahara Desert takes a rounded look at what you can expect during your overnight stay in the heart of the dunes.
The Night Sky Above the Sahara is Mind-Blowing!
One of the greatest gifts of being in the desert is the clear, unpolluted night sky. With little to no light pollution, the stars feel close enough to touch. Many nights, you’ll see the Milky Way stretching across the sky, and shooting stars are not uncommon.
Our camps are set far from towns, so guests can enjoy the full spectacle in serene silence — no city lights, no crowds, just stars and sand. It’s the kind of experience where you want time to stand still so you can stay in the moment for a little longer.
This feeling and more inspired our blog Why One Night in the Desert Isn’t Enough.
Bring a Tripod for Desert Night Photography
If you enjoy photography — or even just want a few stunning shots for your memories — bring a small, sturdy tripod. Long-exposure shots of the night sky can be magical, and the dunes at sunrise or sunset are every photographer’s dream. With a still and steady camera, you’ll avoid those annoying blurry shots!
Our staff are happy to share tips on the best spots to shoot from near camp, and we can even help you plan around the moon phase for optimal stargazing.
There are So Many Desert Activities to Enjoy!
Your Sahara tour is about more than just the dunes. At Desert Luxury Camp, we offer a wide range of fun and fascinating experiences to suit your interests and pace, including:
- Camel rides at sunrise or sunset
- Sandboarding for adventurous spirits
- Tea with local nomadic families
- Guided walks and picnics in the dunes
- 4×4 excursions through desert landscapes
- Quad or buggy riding in the desert
- Traditional music and storytelling under the stars
Whether you want action, culture, or quiet reflection, there’s plenty to do — or not do. The desert invites both adventure and stillness. Take a look through our luxury experiences in Morocco to find out more!
Sand Gets Everywhere!
It sounds obvious — you’re in a desert, after all — but sand has a way of sneaking into every bag, shoe, and pocket. That silky-fine Sahara sand gets around. With this in mind, bring closed shoes, light scarves or buffs for windy moments, and consider packing cubes or zippered bags to keep your gear sand-free. A small daypack with a dust cover is also a great idea.
But just remember, a little sand in your shoes is all part of the charm!
Water and Toiletries are Limited
We are proud to offer en-suite bathrooms with running water, but do keep in mind that water is a precious resource in the desert. Showers are possible, but we ask all guests to be mindful of their water usage. We also provide natural toiletries and towels for your convenience. When it comes to your desert experience, it’s all about staying refreshed while respecting the environment.
Get started on your packing list by reading our blog What are the Best Clothes for the Sahara Desert?
Book Your Stay at Our Luxury Desert Camps in Morocco
We hope this list of “things I wish I knew before my Sahara Desert tour”, inspired by experiences from previous guests, has helped in your trip-planning process. There’s truly nothing like the Sahara. Whether you choose the dramatic dunes of Erg Chebbi or the wild, remote beauty of Erg Chigaga, your time here will leave a lasting impression.
And remember, this is just the beginning. Read through our Morocco luxury holiday packages to find out more about individual tours and please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our FAQ page for even more information.
See you in the dunes!
