If you’re planning a visit to Morocco and want to camp in the desert, where should you begin? Trawling the internet for inspiration or the right camp for you can be time consuming and confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this blog post to cut down your research and help.
Far from instructing you exactly which desert camp is right for you, we list what we consider to be the most important things when searching for accommodation, from location, budget, design, and amenities. What’s a priority for one person may not be for another, so we consider all aspects.
As locals who live and work in and around the desert, we have years of experience guiding tourists to the best-kept secrets of our part of the world. Not only this, but we have worked to make our camps as traveler-friendly as possible, to ensure the most relaxing stays with us.
Find out more about our award-winning desert camps in the Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga Dunes on our website or contact us if you have any questions about booking a trip to the desert. But, until then, let’s take a look at what you should consider when finding the right desert camp.
Consider the Location of Your Desert Camp
Location is one of the most important factors when choosing the right camp for you.
There are several camps to choose from, including the Agafay Rocky Desert south of Marrakech, the Merzouga Desert and the Erg Chebbi’s tall desert dunes, Zagora and its smaller Tinfou dunes, Erg Lihoudi by Mhamid, and, finally, the untamed Erg Chigaga.
The key here for your ideal selection might be the distance travelled. Many travelers go to Agafay desert because of its close proximity to Marrakech and party vibes, so it can be loud and crowded. In spring, the rocky, stony desert can turn to green pastures if there is rain.
Deciding between the two most well-known Sahara desert peaks of Erg Chegaga or Erg Chebbi may not be that simple, but we have a dedicated blog about which dunes to go to in Morocco to help you choose.
As well as deciding on which desert region to go to, the actual location of the camp is important. The Merzouga desert especially has many hotels which run several camps in close proximity to their hotel. If you’d like a quieter experience, consider Erg Chebbi as an alternative in this area.
For transport advice, take a look at our previous blog, Where is the Desert in Morroco and How Do I Get There?
Budgeting Your Desert Camping Experience
While budgeting is a crucial part of any travel planning, we have to stress that the cheapest camp might not always be the best value for money. Camps can charge additional costs for basic necessities, including water and other beverages, as well as transport and activities.
Our point here is to choose wisely. There are several camps that are all inclusive and many activities are included. Perhaps, they may end up being even cheaper or the same value than the camp that looks initially inexpensive because you may end up spending much for the unexpected extras.
Design and Materials of Your Desert Camp
Each desert camp is built differently. Some camps, especially in Erg Chigaga desert, scatter the tents to give a more private feel. However, if you are traveling with friends and families then it may lose the appeal as you had to walk far to be with your group.
Consider not only the position of the tents, but the wider design of the camp including location of the restaurant and other amenities. The interiors of tents may also play significant role in your decision making.
In Desert Luxury Camps we offer privacy, comfort, and a touch of luxury in our glamping tents. Our spacious tents are laden with handmade Moroccan rugs, king size bedding, and wood handcrafted Moroccan furniture often supplied from Marrakech or Erfourd.
We also separate the bathroom from the living part of the tent, so all our tents are set up as two separate ones. One tent is your living space tent and other is the tented bathroom space, allowing for privacy, a walk-in shower, and a personal flush toilet.
Amenities at the Desert Camp
Each of Desert Luxury Camp’s sites have high-quality amenities in the camps in Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, including hot or cold air conditioning at night, private bathrooms with flushing toilets, sinks, and showers with hot and cold water, electricity, and meals included.
As we have mentioned, there are several types of camp available for you to choose from across both of our sites depending on your requirements and how many people are traveling in your party.
Both camps include the Dome Tent option, which allows travelers to experience the majesty of the desert in a completely private setting. These domed tents are not only equipped with all of the facilities listed above, but allow you to hear the silence of the desert whilst viewing the starry skies unfiltered by night.
Selecting the best Moroccan desert camp is not an easy task, so we hope this blog has helped as part of your research process! Staying in the desert camp is often the highlight of Moroccan vacation, so we hope that you enjoy this unique experience.
If you’ve already picked one of our camps or are debating which one to choose, why not get in touch? Our local team is here to help with any travel queries and to make your vacation a magical experience.
