Erg Chebbi is a 20-mile patch of tall sand dunes on the North Western edge of the Sahara, in Morocco, near the Algerian border. Some of the dunes reach heights of 500 feet above the surrounding, flat, rocky desert. The town of Merzouga has become a popular destination for tourists to experience this fascinating landscape. A number of companies offer camel rides across the erg to tent camps nestled between the dunes.
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We spent 2 nights at “Camp Mustapha” and we were directed via WhatsApp to meet Mustapha at a hotel in Merzouga. We left our car at the hotel and loaded our bags into Mustapha’s car to take to the camp. Once the camels were ready, we climbed on the large saddles and our camel handler walked our camels across the sand dunes to the camp. The 1hr 20 min ride is not particularly strenuous, and is the most appropriate way to experience this amazing landscape.
In the evening it gets busy on the Erg Chebbi “highway” with dozens of camels carrying tourists across the dunes to their camps and AWD vehicles shuttling passengers across the dunes as well. A fun experience, especially when it’s a bit overcast and not so blazing hot.
The morning ride back to Merzouga is quieter, as most tourists opt to take the car back. It’s also cooler, as the sun has not heated the sand quite to full “baking temperature” yet. The camels (or rather dromedaries) are also eager to go, since they get their food once they arrive in Merzouga.
The camp
The Sahara
