Camel Treks in Morocco Sahara desert (Merzouga)

What makes this Merzouga camel trek really interesting is the way it folds a whole day into desert life, hosted by a Berber family who grew up nomad and now uses their Bedouin-style tents as a camp. I love the start, because you meet at the family spot with Moroccan mint tea before you ride.

The other part I like a lot is the full camel rhythm, sunset out on the dunes and then sunrise back the next morning, with tea and breakfast built into the schedule. In the camp, the drums-by-the-fire vibe and the star time make the evening feel like it belongs to the desert.

One thing to consider is comfort expectations. You get a private tent, but the bathroom is shared, and the whole experience runs about 20 hours starting at 3:00 pm, so plan for a long stretch away from town.

Key things to look forward to in Merzouga

• Mint tea welcome before you even touch the saddles, at the family meeting point
• Sunset and sunrise camel rides, not just one direction
• Drums around the campfire plus a Berber music moment after dinner
• Sandboarding included, with time to try the dunes for fun
• Small group setup with a maximum of 10 travelers
• Private tent + shared bathroom, and a shower available after the ride if needed

Merzouga camel time, done the family camp way

In Merzouga, most desert trips sell the same big promise: sunset camel ride, a night in the Sahara, stars, then back in the morning. This one feels different because the camp is operated by a local Berber family who are described as nomads, and they use their own tents as a Bedouin camp for visitors. That matters because the evening is not just a performance. It is the routine of a real household shaped for guests.

You also get a clear sense of scale. The camp can fit up to 10 people max, so you are less likely to feel like you are sleeping inside a production line. I like that, because the desert works best when you can hear yourself think, especially after dark.

The practical catch is that “authentic” also means basic. You should expect simple desert comforts, not a hotel. The private tent helps, but the shared bathroom is part of the deal, and you will want to dress and pack accordingly.

Meeting point to departure at 3:00 pm, with mint tea first

The experience starts at 3:00 pm, and that timing shapes everything. You will leave in the afternoon so you can reach the dunes for sunset and settle into camp before it gets too cold. If you are coming by bus, the operator offers pickup. If you come by car, free parking is available.

When you arrive at the meeting point, you are served Moroccan mint tea (described as a local-family welcome) before the camel ride begins. This is not filler. It is how they get you oriented and set the mood. It also gives you a short break to use the restroom, check your water, and decide how you want to handle the camel saddle setup.

Two logistics notes you should take seriously:

• Your ride is planned around sunset, so you want to be on time.
• The day is long. Even if the camel portion feels short, you still have the full evening and the morning routine to complete.

Sunset camel ride: what the timing really does for the experience

The camels are waiting for you to take you out for sunset. That means the most photogenic light is built into the itinerary, not something you scramble for later. Sunset rides in the Sahara are special because the dunes change color fast, and the air often feels calmer once the sun drops.

Your camel guide comes with you, which is a big deal for safety and comfort. Even if you have ridden a camel before, guides matter for pacing, not just navigation. They also help you get the rhythm right so you do not fight the motion for every minute.

What you will likely notice quickly is how quickly the desert shifts from daytime bustle (Merzouga area) into a quiet world. After enough hours under a clear sky, you stop thinking in schedules and start thinking in sensations. That is when the camel ride becomes the centerpiece, not a checkbox.

Bedouin camp night: tea, dinner, Berber music, and stargazing

Once you reach camp, there is another tea time and then dinner. This is when the experience turns from “activity” into “evening.” The included dinner is described as delicious, and there is Berber music with drums around a campfire after you eat.

In the provided descriptions and past guest notes, that music moment shows up again and again as the emotional high point. It is one of those simple details that can make a camp feel alive, especially when you are far enough from other camps that the night can breathe.

Here is what makes this part valuable for you, even if you are not a music person:

• The drums and singing give the night structure, so you are not left wandering.
• It becomes a shared experience even in a small group.
• It keeps you warm and awake during the early nighttime stretch before the cold really settles in.

After dinner and music, you shift into sky time. The program calls out watching the sky and shooting stars. That is the payoff of sleeping in the desert, and it is exactly why people come to Merzouga in the first place. The darker the night, the more you feel like the sky is right there above you.

Sandboarding: included dune time for a little adrenaline

Sandboarding is included, and that is a smart add-on. A camel ride can be slow and hypnotic, but sandboarding gives you a break from sitting and lets you interact with the dunes directly. You can think of it as balancing the experience: one slow, one playful.

Because sandboarding is included, you should bring the energy to try it once you are at camp. It will not require you to plan extra activities or pay for a separate add-on. That keeps the value strong, especially at this price point.

One practical consideration: sand can get everywhere. You will want to be ready for that, and you may feel sandy for the rest of the evening, so pack what you need for comfort.

Private tent, shared bathroom, shower if needed

You get a private tent, but the bathroom is shared. The key is to set expectations early. Private space for sleeping is a real comfort upgrade compared with dorm-style desert stays. At the same time, you should plan to share hot water and facilities the way many small camps do.

The program also includes a shower after the trip if needed when you return to the meeting point. That helps a lot because desert dust clings to everything: skin, hair, clothes. If you plan to head straight to another stop after Merzouga, the shower option is what makes the day feel like a loop rather than a messy end.

Also, check your own tolerance for cold and dryness. The tour data does not list temperature details, so you should assume you need layers. At minimum, come prepared for a chilly start in the morning and cooler nighttime air.

Morning sunrise routine, breakfast, and heading back

In the morning, you are woken up for sunrise by the family team. Sunrise in Merzouga is the second big emotional moment, and it happens because the camels are ready and the camp schedule is built around it. Waking up early sounds like a hassle until you see the dunes in morning light.

Breakfast follows. Then, once you are done, the camels take you back to the meeting point. The shower is offered after the return ride if you need it.

This morning flow is valuable because it ends the trip in a clean way. You are not left guessing how to get back, and you are not forced into a rushed departure right after dinner. You finish with time to wash up and reset.

Price and value: what $52.34 buys you in the Sahara

The price listed is $52.34 per person, and this is booked around 19 days in advance on average. That timing hints at one thing: Merzouga trips sell out in busy seasons, and this kind of small-camp option is often in demand.

So what are you really paying for? You are paying for a long, structured block of desert time:

• Camel rides for sunset and sunrise (not just one)
• Camp tea, snacks, and dinner, plus breakfast
• Berber music with drums
• Sandboarding
• Berber dress provided, including turbant and jalaba
• A private tent, plus a shower option after

At this price, the value comes from inclusion. Many desert deals separate dinner, music, sandboarding, or camp extras into add-ons. Here, those pieces are bundled, which makes it easier to understand what you are buying and less likely you get hit with surprise costs.

Is it a luxury camp deal? No. But if your goal is an authentic desert night with the right rhythm, the math looks fair.

Who should book this camel trek, and who might want a different fit

This tour fits best if you want:

• A small-group desert night (max 10)
• The full experience from afternoon into the next morning
• Camel time for both sunset and sunrise
• Included fun like sandboarding
• A family-run camp feel, with mint tea and Berber music

It may not be ideal if you need:

• Private bathroom facilities
• A short, easy half-day experience
• A high-end hotel style setup

If you are traveling as a couple, this can also work well because the desert has a natural romantic feel, and the private tent helps. If you are a solo traveler, the group size keeps you from feeling lost, but you still get your own sleeping space.

Practical tips before you go (based on how the trip works)

Here are the practical things I would plan around with this specific setup:

• Start time is 3:00 pm, so build your day around that. Do not book a late afternoon activity the same day unless you have a buffer.
• Bring a mindset for dust. You will likely feel sandy after sandboarding and camel time.
• Use the shower option when you return, especially if you have plans right after Merzouga.
• If you are sensitive to shared facilities, understand the tent is private but the bathroom is shared.

Also, this experience states that service animals are allowed, and it is near public transportation. That can help if you are planning your route through Morocco and need something that fits your logistics.

Should you book this Merzouga camel trek?

I would book it if you want the core Merzouga experience done in a family-run camp, with sunset and sunrise camel rides and enough included extras to make your money feel like it stayed in the day. The biggest reasons to choose it are the small group size and the way the evening is structured around tea, dinner, and drums, not just a quick stopover.

I would skip or compare if you require fully private bathroom facilities, prefer shorter tours, or dislike early wake-ups. In the Sahara, the trip is what it is: a long day and night. If that matches your style, this one is likely to hit the mark.

FAQ

What time does the Camel Treks experience in Merzouga start?

The start time is 3:00 pm. The full experience is about 20 hours long.

Is pickup included, and is parking available?

Pickup is offered if you arrive by bus. If you arrive by car, there is free parking.

What is included during the camel ride and camp stay?

The included items are camel ride per person, a camel guide, water in the camp, tea time and snacks, sunset and sunrise by camels, Berber music with drums around the campfire, sandboarding, Berber dress (turbant and jalaba), and dinner plus breakfast (as described in the experience flow). A private tent with a shared bathroom is included.

Is there a shower after the trip?

Yes. A shower is included after the trip if needed.

Are alcohol or soft drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, it is not refunded.