Merzouga
Merzouga is a village in southeastern Morocco beside the Erg Chebbi dunes. Travelers come for camel rides and overnight stays at desert camps.
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Merzouga is a village in southeastern Morocco, beside the Erg Chebbi dunes on the edge of the Sahara. Travelers come to see the dunes, ride camels and spend a night at a desert camp. Reaching Merzouga takes a long road journey from Marrakech or Fes, so plan several days if you want to include it in a Morocco itinerary.
Before traveling, choose between a camp near the dunes, lodging in Merzouga or a stay in nearby Erfoud. A camp puts you closer to the dunes; a village stay keeps you in Merzouga. Spring and fall are practical seasons to consider because temperatures are more comfortable than in summer. Set aside time for both the road journey and your stay. A short stop on a packed itinerary leaves less time for the dunes.
Merzouga in five
- Go in spring or autumnThe Moroccan tourist board says the Sahara is best ventured into in spring and autumn. Midsummer days are extreme and winter nights are cold, so aim for the shoulder months.Best time to visit Morocco
- Count the road before you bookFrom Marrakech, the first leg to Ouarzazate alone is 194 km and about 3 hours 45 minutes by the tourist board's figures, and Merzouga lies much farther east. Plan a night on the way or a multi-day tour.Marrakech to Merzouga
- Ask what the camp night includesCamps range from basic tents to rooms with private bathrooms. Confirm dinner, breakfast, the camel ride, bedding and the bathroom before you pay a deposit.Where to stay in Merzouga
- Check quad and buggy cover firstThe UK government warns that adventure operators may not meet UK safety standards and that some policies exclude quad biking. Confirm cover, wear a helmet and book through a reputable agent.Travel insurance
- Carry water, cash and a charged phoneDistances are long and services thin once you leave the village. Carry dirhams for camp extras, water for the walk and a power bank, because mobile signal may drop in the dunes.
Things to do in Merzouga
See all attractions in Merzouga
Need to know
- Airport
- Marrakech (RAK) or Fes (FEZ), then a long drive
- Getting there
- Road or multi-day tour; a night in Ouarzazate or Midelt breaks the drive
- Getting around
- On foot in the village; 4x4, camel or quad on the sand
- Best base
- A camp in the dunes, or the village for flexibility
- Time needed
- 2 nights from Midelt or Ouarzazate; 3 days from Marrakech or Fes
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh17°Low5°Cold nightsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low8°Cool, clearFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Spring, goodMarchClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, good
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low16°Warm, goodAprilClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, good
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low20°HotMayClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low25°Very hotJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh42°Low28°Extreme heatJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 42°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh40°Low28°Extreme heatAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°Hot, easingSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, easing
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low18°Autumn, goodOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, good
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Cool, goodNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, good
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh18°Low7°Cold nightsDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
Average daily high and low in Merzouga, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Merzouga
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Merzouga
09:16 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°17°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue26°17°40%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Wed23°16°60%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu24°15°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri25°14°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat26°13°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun26°17°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 08:24 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Dayet Srij lakeby 4x4 or camel from the villageA lake among the dunes where the tourist board describes doves, wagtails and storks; water levels vary.
- Rissani and the Tafilaleta short drive northA market town and palm groves, the oasis side of the desert and a cooler option at midday.Read the guide
- Erg Chegagaby 4x4 expeditionA second dune sea the regional council lists as a 4x4 trip; it needs more days and a specialist operator.
Before you go to Merzouga
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Rules for Merzouga, checked
Plan around Merzouga
Cities, desert, coast and entry basics
Read the guideMidelt travel guideThe Atlas stop that splits the drive from Fes
Read the guideOuarzazate travel guideFilm studios and kasbahs on the southern route
Read the guideBest time to visit MoroccoWhich months suit the desert and the cities
Read the guideZiz Valley and the TafilaltRiver oases and Rissani on the way in
Read the guideMerzouga FAQ
How many days do you need for Merzouga?
Plan at least three days from Marrakech or Fes, because the drive each way is long. From Midelt or Ouarzazate, two days works. One night in the dunes is enough for sunset, a camel ride and sunrise.
What is the best month to visit Merzouga?
The tourist board recommends spring and autumn. March, April, October and November are the practical months; midsummer is extremely hot and winter nights are cold, so pack layers for a December or January camp.
Is a camel trek in Merzouga worth it?
Yes if you want to reach a camp the traditional way and see dunes at sunset or sunrise. The tourist board lists a caravan and a night in a bivouac among the top things to do. Ask for a short ride if you have back or knee trouble.
Do you need a 4x4 to reach Merzouga?
Not for the village, but the last stretch to many camps crosses sand or tracks, so camps arrange a 4x4 or camel from the village. Ask your camp how the transfer works before you arrive after dark.
Is Merzouga safe?
Most visitors travel without trouble. The UK government's warnings for adventure travel are quad bike accidents, operators that may not meet UK standards, and poor lighting on roads at night. Use a reputable agent, avoid night driving and check your insurance.