It’s easy to see why Erg Chebbi is home to the most popular sand dunes in Morocco. This sea of sandy peaks is packed with fun things to do! Studded with dunes that reach up to 150 meters high, it is perfect to explore by sandboard, camel, or 4×4.
The ever-changing landscape is shaped by wind-blown sands whose colours shimmer into pinks, oranges, and reds throughout the day. The idyllic Erg Chebbi is accessible via the gateway town of Merzouga, south-west of Marrakesh.
Whether you want a luxurious lowkey escape or prefer life in the fast lane, this spellbinding landscape is a must-visit. From stargazing and fossil hunting to sandboarding and quad riding, we’d love to give you an authentic experience of Erg Chebbi at Desert Luxury Camp.
Created by two Moroccans who became best friends while working in tourism, Desert Luxury Camp offers unparalleled luxury camping. Hamid grew up here and is thrilled to work with Abdou to share authentic package tours of Erg Chebbi that celebrate its magnificent landscape.
Our secluded camps offer a slice of paradise, as well as several activities that are truly once in a lifetime. Get in touch and we’ll help you to curate your dream desert vacation.
But for now, let us guide you through our top 10 fun things to do in Erg Chebbi.
1. Pamper Yourself With Desert Glamping
You’ve probably heard of glamping experiences at festivals and in forests, but what about glamping in the desert? With extraordinary vistas and only the natural wildlife for company, the tranquillity in Erg Chebbi is second to none.
Our luxury glamping camps in the Erg Chebbi dunes are a welcome contrast to the overpopulated desert excursions in bigger Moroccan cities. There are many glamping tents to choose from, but all our glamping spots maintain the peaceful atmosphere inherent to the area.
Our camps are carefully designed to provide you with high-quality comfort to unwind after a day exploring the dunes. Upscale amenities include hot and cold air conditioning, soft king-size beds and robes, private bathrooms, and complimentary toiletries.
Did we mention there’s also a tented pool and restaurant? You read that right. A pool. In the desert!
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in your own Eden Project, Desert Luxury Camp’s Dome tent is the camp for you. Its hemisphere structure is surrounded by stunning vistas. Inside, the tent is equipped with electricity, water and seasonal fruit, a private bathroom with hot and cold water.
2. Go Camel Trekking
Camels aren’t called the ships of the desert for nothing! These beautiful creatures have played an important role in Morocco for thousands of years. As crucial modes of transport and even part of historic military troops, camels are still essential to Erg Chebbi.
Embarking on a camel trek is a wonderful way to explore the desert as people have done for centuries. You may even meet the local Berber nomads! As Abdou grew up in one of the Sub Saharan Berber villages in the Draa Valley, he’s an expert on this nomadic way of life.
Why not get to know the desert and these gentle giants at the same time! Camels have superbly adapted to withstand desert conditions. Did you know that they can run up to 40mph?
But don’t worry, our camel rides will go at a much slower pace, meaning you can enjoy Erg Chebbi’s otherworldly vistas. Responsible tourism is important to us at Desert Luxury Camp. As such, our camels are well cared for and are never pushed beyond their limits.
3. Hike the Dunes at Erg Chebbi
If you’d prefer to explore Erg Chebbi on two feet instead of four, why not take a hiking tour of the dunes? Taking in the region’s expanse like so many nomadic tribes and travellers before you, a walking tour is a great way to get to know the landscape.
We recommend hiring a local guide and bringing water, protective clothing, and sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen! Erg Chebbi is located a 90-minute walk away from Merzouga, a charming local town and gateway to the desert. So stock up with supplies before heading to the sand.
Our favourite time of day to hike is an hour before sunset; hiking at this time provides us with the best opportunity to watch the transition into twilight.
4. Cruise the Erg Chebbi Dunes in a Four-Wheel Drive
As the desert’s landscape is ever-changing, some of the best panoramic views can be seen from a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This is one of the few automobiles that can handle the desert dust!
Desert Luxury Camp’s adventure packages are customisable to accommodate any time frame and activity, including four-wheel-drive excursions around Erg Chebbi and Merzouga. This challenging drive is an adventure in itself!
Taking a guided 4×4 drive gives you the freedom to choose your own adventure in Erg Chebbi. Why not take in Merzouga’s seasonal lake on your trip? Try to spot the desert birds like the Egyptian nightjars and desert warblers.
5. Hit the Road with Quad Bike Riding in Erg Chebbi
Sticking to the four-wheel theme, let’s pick up speed with a quad bike ride. This exhilarating zoom across the dunes allows riders to go as fast or slow as they like. Race your friends or join a calming convoy through the peaks – you decide!
Our connections with local guides mean you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel. Whether a quick zip or a leisurely cruise, quad bike riding is one the fastest and most fun things to do in Erg Chebbi.
6. Channel Your Inner Cowboy with Horseback Riding in Erg Chebbi
Much like our other four-legged camel friends, the Arabian-Berber horse has evolved to meet the desert’s demanding landscape. These regal steeds are hardy and have great stamina. So saddle up, partner, and take to the sand on horseback.
There are a mix of paces depending on the trail. A gentle canter is a great speed for longer treks and more experienced riders can opt for gallops, all supervised by knowledgeable guides who know every dune in Erg Chebbi.
You can also visit local villages on your horseback ride. Learn about the nomadic way of life and how horses have played a historic role to help the Berbers travel across the desert.
7. Go Fossil Hunting
If you want to get your Indiana Jones hat on, fossil hunting is the activity for you! While we can’t guarantee you’ll find the lost ark, getting up close and personal with the sand’s hidden depths is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.
Millions of years ago, the deserts of Erg Chebbi would’ve been a shallow sea. While that may be unbelievable today, the ammonites and fossils of prehistoric life indicate otherwise.
For budding naturalists interesting in learning more, the Tahiri Museum Of Fossils and Minerals is a 45-minute drive away from Erg Chebbi. Packed with glistening rocks and dinosaur skeletons, it’s one of the top things to do in this historically diverse region.
8. Sandboarding in Erg Chebbi
There are so many ways to experience the Erg Chebbi desert. If you’re a snowboarding or skateboarding enthusiast, why not try sandboarding? This activity is one of the most fun things to do in the desert.
Surf down the epic sandy peaks with the wind in your hair and no cares in the world. Apart from climbing the peak to do it all over again! We recommend picking a cloudy day to go on this excursion, as it can get very warm.
9. Sandbathing in Erg Chebbi
If you would prefer to experience the sand in a more relaxing way, we recommend sand bathing as a restorative wellness activity. But what is sand bathing, you ask?
This natural form of therapy is like a sandy sauna and one of the most unusual and fun things to do in Erg Chebbi’s desert landscape. This ancient practice sees the body ‘buried’ in the sand – head exposed – to absorb all the desert’s heat and release toxins through sweating.
Sand bathers are carefully monitored and supplied with ice-cold water throughout the 10-30 minute experience. When your body emerges, you will feel completely rejuvenated by this unique way of relaxing your muscles!
10. Stargazing in Erg Chebbi
After all those activities, what better way to unwind than with an authentic meal before kicking back to take in the star-speckled night sky?
All of our Desert Luxury Camps include a restaurant tent decorated in radiant earthy tones that complement our locally sourced ingredients. For an unforgettable culinary experience, look no further than our candlelit outdoor dining spaces.
As you’re enjoying your meal, the night sky will gradually unfold and reveal its myriad constellations. Retreat to your personal tent to cosy up and stare up in wonder at one of the most spectacular stargazing spots in Africa.
For amateur and experienced astronomers, we recommend taking a pair of binoculars on your stay, as the Milky Way is sometimes visible from Erg Chebbi.
We hope you’re adding some of these ideas to your own list of fun things to do in Erg Chebbi! Whether you want a day excursion or a few nights in the desert, Desert Luxury Camp’s package tours are as flexible as they are fancy.
We love sharing our top 10 fun things to do in Erg Chebbi, but have many more activities to offer! Get in touch to start planning your dream vacation to Morocco’s stunning desert. We can’t wait to explore our hometown with you!
