2 Nights in Luxury Camp and Camel Trekking in Merzouga Desert

The Sahara is best after sunset. This three-day Merzouga stay gives you time for two camel rides, sunset and sunrise over the dunes, sandboarding, campfire music, and a night under the stars. I like the unhurried pace and the chance to stay two nights instead of rushing in and out after one evening. I also like the practical touches, including secure parking, hot water, electricity for charging phones, and a private tent. The main drawback is that lunch and drinks are not included, so you need to plan for those costs yourself.

This is a small-group desert stay, with a maximum of 18 people, arranged by Morocco Sahara Exploration. The experience suits couples, families, students, and friends, but the simple camel trek and time outdoors mean you should be comfortable with sun, sand, and an early start.

A French-language review praised the warm welcome, good organization, setting, and friendly atmosphere. Another singled out Youssef and his team for making the two-night stay feel worthwhile. That extra night matters: you get a proper desert evening, a full free day, and another sunrise without having to pack up immediately.

Key points to know before booking

• Two nights make the desert feel less rushed: You arrive for sunset on the first day, have a full second day, and leave after breakfast on day three.
• Camel rides take about 40 minutes: The evening ride carries you toward the dunes, with time to stop for photographs and try sandboarding.
• The camp includes useful comforts: A private tent, hot water, electricity for phone charging, and secure parking are included.
• Traditional Berber-style evenings are central: Expect Moroccan food, drums, music around a fire, and time to watch the stars.
• The $168.66 price covers major basics: Camel trekking, two breakfasts, two dinners, the tent, guide, parking, sandboarding, and camp facilities are included.
• The schedule starts at 5:00 p.m.: You should arrive in Merzouga ready to meet the group and begin the evening ride.

Arriving in Merzouga for the 5:00 p.m. start

Your desert stay begins in Merzouga, where you meet the team and leave your car in secure parking. A useful detail is that your car can reach the camp area, which makes the arrival easier if you are driving through southeastern Morocco. You do not need to abandon your vehicle in town and hope your bags are still there later.

Before the camel ride, you have a cup of tea. This is a small but welcome pause after reaching Merzouga, and it gives you time to get oriented before heading into the dunes. The stated start time is 5:00 p.m., so do not treat this as a loose late-evening arrival. Plan to be ready at the meeting point on time.

The group size can reach 18 people. That is not a private desert outing, but it is still limited enough to keep the activity manageable. If you prefer a completely private ride or a silent camp with no group activity, ask about that before booking. The supplied details describe a shared experience with space for up to 18 people.

The 40-minute camel ride toward sunset

The first camel ride takes about 40 minutes and leads into the heart of the Merzouga dunes. The point is not speed. You are moving slowly, with time to notice the changing colors of the sand and the broad views around you.

You stop during the ride for photographs and to enjoy the scenery before sunset. This is when the desert earns its reputation. The dunes give you open sightlines, and the changing light creates the best conditions for pictures. Bring your phone or camera fully charged, since the camp includes electricity for charging, but you may want to use it after reaching camp.

Sandboarding is also included. The details do not specify the length of the sandboarding session or the equipment arrangement, so ask the guide when you arrive if this is a major reason for your booking. Still, having the activity built into the evening gives the outing more variety than a camel ride alone.

A camel ride can feel unusual at first. You are seated high above the sand, and the animal’s movement has a rolling rhythm. Take your time getting comfortable, especially if you have never ridden before. The ride is relatively short, which helps keep the first evening enjoyable rather than turning it into a long endurance test.

A private tent and a traditional desert evening

After sunset, you return to camp for the overnight stay. The accommodation is described as a private tent, with hot water and electricity available. Those details matter in the Sahara. A private sleeping space gives you more privacy than a basic shared camp, while hot water makes the second morning far more pleasant.

Dinner is included on both nights. The camp team describes the food as traditional, and the overall evening is presented as a Berber-style welcome with music and a campfire. Drums and singing around the fire form a central part of the night, followed by time to enjoy the stars.

I like this part of the arrangement because the desert is not only about taking photographs from a dune. Sitting around a fire, eating a Moroccan meal, and listening to music gives the evening a social and cultural side. It also means you have something to do after dark instead of simply returning to your tent.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a desert camp, not a city hotel moved into the sand. The word luxury here points to the private tent and useful facilities, along with the setting and service, rather than a full resort experience. You should still expect a simple outdoor atmosphere and a schedule shaped by sunlight.

The early morning ride and first sunrise

Day two begins before sunrise. You ride back toward the middle of the dunes to photograph the sky as it brightens, then watch the sun come up over the sand. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose two nights. You can enjoy the first evening, sleep at camp, and still have another major desert moment the next morning.

After sunrise, you return for a Moroccan breakfast. Breakfast is included on both mornings, so the package covers the two basic meals you need at the start of each day. Since lunch is not included, you should arrange your own midday food rather than assuming all meals are provided.

The early start is both a benefit and a demand. Sunrise in the dunes is a memorable part of the program, but you need to be ready before daylight. Pack clothing that works for changing temperatures and keep a phone light handy if you use one. The camp’s electricity is useful, but you should not assume you will have unlimited charging time before leaving for the ride.

A free second day with room to slow down

After breakfast on day two, you have free time for the rest of the day. This is where the two-night structure earns its price. A one-night desert visit can feel like a tightly packed loop of camel ride, dinner, sleep, sunrise, and departure. Here, you have a pause between the two camel outings.

The schedule says you can walk near the camp in the afternoon. That gives you a simple way to see the dunes without signing up for another long activity. You can also use the free hours to rest, enjoy the camp, take photographs, or spend time with your group.

The information does not list extra excursions or a vehicle tour, so do not expect an extensive activity menu to fill the day. If you need constant entertainment, the quiet hours may feel long. If you want time to sit, read, photograph the sand, or recover from an early morning, the open schedule is a real advantage.

Later, you can walk not far from camp to watch another sunset. You will already know the rhythm of the dunes by then, and the second sunset gives you a chance to choose better photo spots rather than rushing to capture everything on the first evening.

The second campfire and a night under the stars

Dinner is included on the second night, followed by another fire and Berber music with drums. The repeated evening program may be a plus or a minus, depending on what you want. I see it as part of the value of staying two nights: you get another relaxed night in the camp instead of packing as soon as the first desert evening ends.

The dark sky is one of the camp’s main attractions. After the fire and music, you can spend time looking upward and enjoying the quiet. The supplied details do not promise a formal astronomy talk, so think of this as an opportunity for simple stargazing rather than a guided night-sky program.

The atmosphere is described as warm and welcoming, and that tone fits the structure of the stay. Youssef and his team are specifically praised for trying to make the visit memorable. That personal welcome may matter most on the second evening, when the camp feels familiar and you have more time to talk with the people running it.

Sunrise, breakfast, shower, and departure on day three

The final morning begins before it gets light. You watch another sunrise across the dunes, return for breakfast, and then take a shower at camp. Hot water is included, so you can leave feeling refreshed rather than heading straight into your next drive covered in sand.

After the shower, you take your car to your next destination, and the service ends. No onward transport is described, so this arrangement works best if you are driving yourself or already have plans for your next leg. The secure parking makes the driving setup convenient, but you should confirm the exact pickup and parking instructions before arrival.

The final morning is short, listed at about three hours. That timing includes the sunrise, breakfast, shower, and departure. If you have a fixed appointment elsewhere, allow extra road time after the camp. The desert stay itself ends in Merzouga, not at a later city destination.

What the $168.66 price covers

At $168.66 per person, the package offers solid value if you will use the full two-night schedule. You receive:

• Two camel trekking outings
• Sandboarding
• A private tent
• Hot water
• Electricity for charging phones
• Secure car parking
• A guide
• Two breakfasts
• Two dinners

That is a useful bundle for a desert stay. The two dinners and two breakfasts remove several unavoidable costs, while the tent, parking, and camp facilities make the package easier for people arriving by car.

Lunch and drinks are excluded. This is the main budget detail to watch. You should not compare the price with a package that includes full meals unless you adjust for what you will need to buy separately. The listed price is also per person, so the total will rise with each member of your party.

The experience is often booked about 48 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave the reservation until the last moment if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund if you cancel by then. Changes or cancellations inside that final 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Merzouga camp most

I would recommend this stay to couples who want a memorable desert setting without giving up basic comforts. The private tent, showers, electricity, and included dinners make it easier to enjoy the dunes without choosing the most basic camping arrangement.

Families can also fit well here, especially those who want a mix of gentle adventure and free time. Sandboarding and camel rides give children and adults something active to try, while the campfire and open afternoon prevent the schedule from becoming too packed.

Students and groups of friends may appreciate the price and shared atmosphere. The maximum of 18 people gives the evening some energy, and the music and fire are designed for a social setting. A group that wants complete silence and solitude may prefer a smaller private arrangement.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The available information does not provide specific guidance about camel riding for people with mobility limitations, so ask the provider directly if you have a physical concern. Near-public transportation is noted, but the secure parking and car access make this especially practical for a self-drive route.

Should you book the two-night desert stay?

Book it if you want the Sahara at a calmer pace, with two sunsets, two sunrise opportunities, camel rides, sandboarding, campfire music, and enough free time to rest. The strongest reason to choose it over a one-night visit is not simply the extra bed. It is the breathing room.

Think twice if you dislike early mornings, group activities, sand, or unstructured time. Also budget separately for lunch and drinks, and confirm the exact meeting and parking instructions before you arrive.

For $168.66 per person, this is a good-value choice for a friendly, traditional Merzouga camp with useful comforts. Youssef and his team receive praise for their welcome and organization, and the two-night schedule gives you a better chance to enjoy the desert instead of racing through it.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights at the Merzouga desert camp.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 5:00 p.m. on the first day.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered. The meeting point is in Merzouga, where you meet the team before the camel trek.

Is parking available?

Yes. Secure parking for your car is included, and your car can reach the camp area.

How long is the first camel ride?

The first camel trek takes about 40 minutes and leads toward the dunes for sunset.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included in the experience.

Are meals included?

Two breakfasts and two dinners are included. Lunch and drinks are not included.

Does the camp have hot water and electricity?

Yes. Hot water and electricity for charging phones are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.