Merzouga, Morocco, is a small village in the Sahara Desert known as the Gateway to Erg Chebbi, a huge expanse of sand dunes stretching north of the town.
Merzouga Morocco is a place to experience extremes – the vastness and harshness of the Sahara Desert; the isolation of the tiny towns scattered throughout the region and the challenges of living in such a region, but also their rich and unique cultures and warm hospitality.
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Things to Do
Explore the Desert
There are many ways to see and explore the desert surrounding Merzouga. The gentlest and most comfortable is to book a 4×4 ride with one of Morocco’s excellent tour guides.
You can tour the area with a local expert who will point out everything of interest, all while enjoying air conditioning and a smooth ride.
If you are looking for more a intense experience, ride into the desert on an ATV or camel, or try sand boarding down the dunes!
Make your trip complete by staying overnight in a traditional desert camp.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with unparalleled stargazing, utter quiet, and a rare complete removal from the stress and constant attentiveness required by everyday life.
Many local hotels can arrange these outings for you, or you can book with a local tour operator.
An interesting ecological feature in the area is Dayet Srji, a seasonal salt lake that attracts huge flocks of migrating birds.
We often think of deserts as devoid of life, but at Dayet Srji you can see it at its most lively. Another incredible natural feature of the region is the Erfoud Fossil Beds.
A large swath of ancient Devonian seabed is exposed here, making it one of the world’s fossil collection hotspots.
In fact, it’s known as the trilobite capital of the world! In some areas you can look for your own fossils, and there are plenty of shops selling them as well.
Check out Atlas Geo Tours if you are particularly interested in geology.
Also nearby is the Tafilalet Oasis, where lush green palm groves and cool streams contrast with the red rock formations rolling dunes and sustain the towns of Erfoud, Arab Sebbah du Ziz, Rissani, Seffalat, Aoufous, and Jorf. The Igrane Oasis is close as well.
These naturally occurring water sources enable agriculture and thus settled life, so they have histories and cultures stretching back thousands of years.
Tours might include a stop here – or may accommodate a request to see it, or you can drive yourself in
Quad Biking and Sandboarding
For those seeking adventure, quad biking and sandboarding on the dunes are exhilarating options.
Rent a quad bike and zip across the desert landscape or try your hand at sandboarding, gliding down the dunes on a board.
These activities provide an adrenaline rush and a different perspective of the desert’s beauty.
Explore the Village of Merzouga
Take some time to explore the charming village of Merzouga itself.
You can wander through its narrow streets, visit local markets, and interact with the friendly Berber people. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about their traditions, cuisine, and way of life.
Visit the Khamlia Village
A visit to the nearby Khamlia Village is a unique cultural experience. This small village is known for its Gnawa music, a fusion of African and Berber rhythms.
You can enjoy a live performance, learn about Gnawa traditions, and even participate in a drumming session.
Explore the Fossil Beds
Merzouga is situated near the town of Erfoud, which is famous for its fossil beds.
Visit the local fossil shops and museums to see a remarkable collection of prehistoric fossils, including trilobites, ammonites, and dinosaur bones. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Earth’s ancient history.
Where to Eat
Moroccan cuisine is distinctly regional – you may try a dish you adore in one city only to find that a few hours away, no one has heard of it.
Every region has certain ingredients and cooking styles they are particularly proud of, and it’s a lot of fun to try the local delicacies in every town you visit.
When visiting Merzouga, make sure you try the local specialty, Berber pizza.
Restaurant Cafe NORA
Charming, rustic, and authentic, Restaurant Cafe Nora is a perfect place to try a local favorite – Berber pizza. More like a calzone with golden crust on the top and bottom, it’s filled with savory beef, chicken or vegetables.
You can also order simple salads, eggs, fresh fruit, and mint tea. It is a lovely setting, too – sheltered from the elements by smooth mud walls and a thatched roof, you can look out across the endless expanse of sand while enjoying the cozy interior decorated with traditional rugs and pottery.
Cafe Restaurant Tenere
Cafe Restaurant Tenere is conveniently located in the center of Merzouga and offers a varied menu with plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Start your day with tea or coffee, fresh bread, butter, jam and olive oil, or a hearty Berber omelet.
For lunch and dinner, try a sumptuous tagine of beef, chicken, vegetables, ground beef, or a traditional style of cured meat, khlia.
They also serve couscous, grilled skewers, sandwiches, salads, and the local specialty, Berber pizza.
Restaurant Cafe Fatima
On the menu of Restaurant Cafe Fatima you’ll find typical dishes like breakfast with fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, bread, jam, olive oil, and butter; tagines, and Moroccan salads.Don’t miss their special dishes, grilled chicken skewers with fries and the ground beef and vegetable sandwich.
This cafe is located about 3 miles/5km north of the Merzouga center on R702, and may be convenient if you are visiting the Erg Chebbi dunes, or if you are staying at the rooms they rent .
they’re fun, colorful and simple with a classic desert style, plus there’s free Wi-Fi and a refreshing pool, and they can lend you sand boards
Restaurant Dakar
At Restaurant Dakar, you will always find warm service from the owner Youssef and flavorful, freshly prepared food like tajines, grilled brochettes, and salads.
They also serve good tea and coffee, so it’s a perfect place to stop for a mid-morning or afternoon break.
Cafe Restaurant Saharatime
If you can’t get enough of the dunes, you can have lunch, dinner, or tea in them! Cafe Restaurant Saharatime is located about 4km north of the Merzouga village center, just east of R702 and is actually in the sand dunes, with views of the desert all around.
You can sit inside the cozy earthen building, or outside on a table or blanket in the sand.
The food, tea, and coffee are excellent and the staff are friendly and welcomingIt’s comfortable, too, with couches inside and Western-style toilets available
Where to Stay
Auberge les Roches
Auberge les Roches is perfectly located near the town center of Merzouga and situated right on the edge of the dunes, Auberge les Roches has cozy, colorfully decorated rooms with good bathrooms, a pool, and a large patio with a view of the dunes.
They offer organized trips, including 1 and 2 night stays in tents in the desert and excursions to Marrakech and Fes. Breakfast is included and other meals are available.
Ksar Bicha
Hotel Ksar Bicha is owned by a wonderful and welcoming Moroccan family and situated in a traditional earth building. They offer rooms for 1-5 people, with breakfast included, and there is a pool so you can cool off after exploring the town and the desert!
They can arrange desert camel treks of up to seven days, as well as shorter overnight stays in luxury desert tents.
They also offer sand baths, a traditional remedy for muscle and joint pain in which one’s body is gently covered with warm sand.
The personal family touch makes this hotel special – the space is beautiful and the food and service are excellent.
Hotel Kasbah Mohayut
Hotel Kasbah Mohayut consists of 20 colorfully decorated rooms arranged around a swimming pool and terrace. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and a restaurant serving Berber specialties ensure that your stay will be comfortable and relaxing.
The hotel also maintains traditional tents in the desert, which can be reached by a two-hour camel ride. If you don’t want to stay overnight, they can arrange day trips as well.
Hotel Nasser Palace
Hotel Nasser Palace manages to be both rustic and elegant, with cozy, very clean rooms thoughtfully decorated with local art and craftwork.
Service and amenities go above and beyond, with a 24-hour reception, gym access, barber service, tennis lessons, and free Wi-Fi, plus a lovely pool and patio.
If you wish, your stay can include a night in luxury tent in the Sahara.
The hotel offers an excellent restaurant (you can eat there even if you’re not staying at the hotel!) that has a fireplace, live music in the evenings, and of course, wonderful Moroccan dishes including tajines, Berber pizza, and salads.
When to Go
June, July, August, and September can be extremely hot. It is dry heat, rather than sweltering humidity, but scorching nonetheless. Don’t visit during these months unless you are prepared for it.
April, May, October, and November are a bit milder, with hot to warm days and cool nights.Late November to March is generally pleasantly cool to chilly during the day and cold at night.
The spring and fall months are ideal weather-wise, but you can have a great visit any time of the year if you dress accordingly.
If you go during one of the warmer seasons, bring light, loose, long shirts and pants rather than shorts and t-shirts.
They will protect you from the intense sun, wind, and sand and help wick sweat away from your skin, ultimately keeping you more comfortable. Plus, it is more culturally appropriate to dress modestly.
Remember that there are large day to night temperature fluctuations in the desert, so bring warmer clothes for the evening.
Bundle up a bit more for the winter months – bring warm pants, a sweatshirt, and a light winter coat.
Whenever you go, you can be sure you’ll be met with warmth and hospitality, and be amazed by the beauty of the desert and the culture.