Your stay · Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Merzouga Comfortable Desert Camp
Your tour includes a night at our standard desert camp, right beside the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi — simple, with very basic amenities. Here's what it's like, and how to arrive ready for it.
The camp
Your oasis in the Sahara — a private Berber tent beside the dunes, and camel rides at sunset and sunrise.
The camp sits in Erg Chebbi, right next to the sand dunes near Merzouga, with a private tent for every party — so you never share with strangers. This is our standard camp: simple and authentic, with very basic amenities — the real luxury is the dunes at your door. The team looks after you in English, French and Spanish.
You arrive the classic way — a sunset camel ride of 60 to 90 minutes across the dunes, or by jeep transfer if you’d rather not ride. Dinner is served at the camp, followed by music around the campfire under the stars, and a few sandboards are there to use at leisure if you have time. In the morning you ride back — about an hour — to the operator’s lodge in Merzouga, the Palais des Dunes, where a buffet breakfast is waiting, plus a small pool for a dip if your schedule allows. Departures from Merzouga are made between 8:00 and 8:30 am, so depending on the season the morning ride may not coincide with sunrise itself.
A look around
The camp in pictures
Where you'll sleep
Your tent
You sleep in a traditional Berber tent, and every party has a tent entirely to themselves — couples, families and groups each get their own. The tents and facilities are deliberately simple: this is our standard camp, with very basic amenities, set right beside the dunes.
Included in your stay
What's provided
- A private Berber tent for your party
- Shared toilets & showers outside the tents
- Sunset camel ride into the camp (60–90 min)
- Morning camel ride back (about 1 hour)
- Dinner at the camp
- Campfire & music after dinner
- Buffet breakfast at the lodge next morning
- Luggage storage at the lodge in Merzouga
- A dip in the lodge's small pool (subject to timing)
- A few sandboards to use at leisure (time permitting)
Drinks: beverages aren't included at dinner and are paid separately. Mineral water can be bought at a convenience store on the way — ask your driver to stop.
Rather not ride a camel? A jeep transfer to the camp and back is available for €30 return per couple, paid directly at the camp.
Before you go
Arriving ready
Pack a small backpack
Your main luggage stays safely at the lodge in Merzouga while you're at the camp — take just a small backpack with your overnight essentials.
Buy water on the way
Beverages aren't included at dinner. Pick up mineral water at a convenience store en route — your driver can stop.
A little cash
Useful for drinks, tips or extras — and for the jeep transfer (€30 return per couple) if you choose it, paid directly at the camp.
Bring a towel & toiletries
They aren't provided. The shared toilets and showers are outside the tents — pack your own towel and wash things.
Pack a warm layer
Desert nights get cold, especially in winter — bring a jacket even if the day was hot.
An early start
You're up early for the camel ride back over the dunes in the morning light — depending on the season, it may not coincide with sunrise itself. A dip in the lodge pool after breakfast is a fine reward, if your schedule allows.
Good to know
Questions guests ask
How do I get to the camp?
The classic way — a sunset camel ride of 60 to 90 minutes across the Erg Chebbi dunes brings you into the camp, and the next morning you ride back, about an hour, to the lodge in Merzouga. If you'd rather not ride camels, a jeep transfer there and back is available for an extra €30 per couple, paid directly at the camp.
Are there bathrooms at the camp?
Yes — the toilets and showers are shared, located outside the tents. Bring your own towel and toiletries, as they aren't provided.
What are the tents like?
Traditional Berber tents, right beside the sand dunes — and every party has a private tent to themselves, so you never share with strangers. This is our standard camp, with very basic amenities; if you'd like better tents with private ensuite bathrooms, you can upgrade to our Deluxe desert camp for €40 per person.
Is there a single supplement?
No — solo travellers pay no single supplement at this camp.
What happens to my luggage?
It stays safely at the lodge in Merzouga while you're at the camp. Bring a small backpack with your overnight essentials for the camel ride.
Are meals included?
Yes — dinner at the camp and a buffet breakfast at the lodge the next morning. Beverages at dinner aren't included, so buy mineral water on the way or bring a little cash.
What happens in the evening?
Dinner is served at the camp, and afterwards the evening continues with music around the campfire under the stars.
What time do we leave in the morning?
Departures from Merzouga are made between 8:00 and 8:30 am. You leave the camp by camel in the morning — about an hour back — then have the buffet breakfast at the lodge before setting off. Depending on the season, the morning ride may not coincide with sunrise itself.
Is there a pool?
Yes, at the lodge in Merzouga — a small swimming pool you can enjoy on the afternoon you arrive, or after breakfast the next morning, subject to timing if your schedule allows. At the camp itself there are also a few sandboards to use at leisure.