The Sahara Desert is over 9 million square kilometers in area, almost the same size as China ( Morocco).

The desert near Marrakech is of course the Sahara Desert, the largest arid zone in the world. This desert is present in the following countries: Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, Chad, Egypt and Sudan.

The Sahara has a strong tourist attraction. Every year, millions of visitors come to browse it. Marrakech is the main starting point for traveling to the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

The two most important areas of the Moroccan Sahara Desert are Zagora and Merzouga.

1. Zagora Desert
   

The Zagora Desert is the driest and has less dune than that of Merzouga. The main advantage of Zagora is that it is closer to Marrakech; it is therefore the most suitable place to make short excursions of two days and one night.

The trip from Marrakech to Zagora takes about 7 hours, since 360 ​​kilometers separate these two cities. Since many stops are made during the trip, the ride is interesting and not as heavy as one might imagine.

1. Merzouga Desert
   

The Merzouga Desert is the most impressive part of Morocco's desert. We discover there the typical image we have of the desert in our imagination. Even if the dunes of other countries such as Algeria and Libya are more popular, the dunes of Erg Chebbi, south of Merzouga reach 150 meters high and are nothing to envy.

A distance of 550 kilometers separates Marrakech from Merzouga and the journey time is just over 10 hours, so it is normal to stop sleeping one night both on the way there and on the way back.

• Which desert to visit?
  

If time and budget aren't a problem for you, your best bet is to take a 4-5 day excursion to the Merzouga Desert. The place is much more beautiful and the trip, although it is longer, seems less burdensome thanks to the many marked breaks. The landscapes covered during the days of the excursion are so beautiful that the journey is worth it. Places such as Aït Ben Haddu, the Valley of Roses, the Gorges du Dades. The Valée du Drâa and the Gorges du Todra are surprising and very little known.

If instead you prefer to spend fewer days on this excursion, visiting Zagora is the best option. This is the only way you can sleep in a khaima in the desert overnight. Since the trip to Ouarzazate is the same as to go to Merzouga, you will also visit important places such as Aït Ben Haddou during this excursion, so the trip will be just as interesting.

• What are the excursions like?
  

The desert should not be the only goal of the trip, since as we have commented previously, one of the advantages of these excursions is that you cross very different landscapes and visit many places.

Once you arrive in the desert, you will most certainly go on camel back to the camp to spend the night in a khaima (Berber tent). At nightfall a typical dinner is usually served, sometimes accompanied by musicians who liven up the evening. Waking up between the dunes is certainly the highlight of the excursion.

After having breakfast, you can take advantage of a full day in the desert to make your way back.

• How to visit the desert?

Since the desert requires a 4x4 and the probability of getting lost in the desert is very high, it is strongly recommended to book an excursion from Marrakech or Ouarzazate.

Morocco Sahara desert