Merzouga Desert: Camel Ride & Sahara Camp Overnight

4.91

(152 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound—camel hooves sinking into the sand outside Merzouga, sort of soft and squeaky at the same time. Our guide, Hassan, handed me the reins and grinned like he knew what I was about to feel (nervous? excited? both). The sun wasn’t down yet but everything had that late-afternoon gold. We set off toward the Erg Chebbi dunes, which looked unreal up close—like someone had smoothed orange silk over giant hills. There was this smell too, kind of dusty but clean, if that makes sense.

We stopped somewhere deep in the dunes—no roads or buildings in sight—and just sat on our camels while the sky turned pink. I tried to take a photo but honestly it didn’t catch half of it. Hassan pointed out where Algeria started way off in the haze. He laughed when I nearly slid off trying to dismount (camels are taller than you think). Then we walked to camp together, shoes off because the sand was still warm from the day. The tents were simple but had these thick blankets and lanterns; I felt weirdly safe inside even though we were so far from town.

Dinner tasted smoky and sweet at once—tagine with vegetables because I’m vegetarian (they’d asked ahead about food stuff). Afterward there was drumming around a fire; some of us tried dancing but mostly we just listened. The stars were everywhere—like someone spilled salt across black velvet—and it got quiet except for laughter and one guy snoring nearby. In the morning we rode back to Merzouga village by camel again (you can take a jeep if you want), sun just coming up behind us. I still think about that cold air on my face before breakfast.