The Gates of Sahara
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Private Sahara journeys to Merzouga, Erg Chegaga and Zagora

Private trips to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, Erg Chegaga and Zagora, with a night at a desert camp.

17 tours found

Desert Tours

17 tours found

Marrakech to Merzouga, 3 Days in the SaharaPrivate

Marrakech to Merzouga, 3 Days in the Sahara

A private loop from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes: two gorges on the way out, a camel ride at sunset, a night at camp and a quieter road home.

Length
3 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€230/ person for 6+
Agadir to Erg Chegaga, 2 Days in the DesertPrivate

Agadir to Erg Chegaga, 2 Days in the Desert

From the coast to the dunes of Erg Chegaga by the southern road through Tata and Foum Zguid, with a camel ride at sunset and another at dawn.

Length
2 days
Starts from
Agadir
From
€320/ person for 5+
Marrakech to Zagora, 2 Days in the DesertPrivate

Marrakech to Zagora, 2 Days in the Desert

The shortest way to a night in the desert from Marrakech: over the Atlas, past Aït Ben Haddou and down the palm groves of the Draa Valley to a camp near Zagora.

Length
2 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€98/ person for 14+
Erg Chegaga from Marrakech, 3 DaysPrivate

Erg Chegaga from Marrakech, 3 Days

Down the Draa Valley to M'Hamid, where the tarmac stops, then by 4x4 across open desert to a camp among the dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Length
3 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€281/ person for 5+
Agadir to Merzouga, 3 Days in the SaharaPrivate

Agadir to Merzouga, 3 Days in the Sahara

From the Atlantic to the Erg Chebbi dunes by Taroudant, Taliouine, Aït Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorge, with a sunset camel ride and a night at camp.

Length
3 days
Starts from
Agadir
From
€170/ person for 6+
Agadir to Zagora, 2 Days in the DesertPrivate

Agadir to Zagora, 2 Days in the Desert

From the coast to a desert camp near Zagora by Taroudant and the carpet town of Taznakht, then home along the palm groves of the Draa Valley.

Length
2 days
Starts from
Agadir
From
€195/ person for 5+
Agadir to Erg Chegaga, 3 DaysPrivate

Agadir to Erg Chegaga, 3 Days

South from Agadir through the Anti-Atlas and Tata to the edge of the desert, then by 4x4 to a camp in the dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Length
3 days
Starts from
Agadir
From
€281/ person for 5+
Agadir to Erg Chebbi, 4 DaysPrivate

Agadir to Erg Chebbi, 4 Days

A four-day loop from the Atlantic to the Erg Chebbi dunes and back, by Taroudant, Taliouine, Aït Ben Haddou, the Todra Gorge and the old caravan road.

Length
4 days
Starts from
Agadir
From
€242/ person for 6+
Merzouga under the Stars, 2 Days from MarrakechPrivate

Merzouga under the Stars, 2 Days from Marrakech

A sunset camel ride into Erg Chebbi, then a night at camp where, on a clear moonless night, the Milky Way is plain to the naked eye.

Length
2 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€121/ person for 6+
The Sahara with Children, 4 Days from MarrakechPrivate

The Sahara with Children, 4 Days from Marrakech

The Marrakech to Erg Chebbi loop paced for families: shorter driving days, hotels with a pool, a family camp in the dunes and camel rides at both ends of the day.

Length
4 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€229/ person for 14+
Walking to Erg Chegaga with a Camel Caravan, 8 DaysPrivate

Walking to Erg Chegaga with a Camel Caravan, 8 Days

Six days on foot beside a camel caravan, from the palms of the Draa Valley through the dunes of Erg Chegaga to M'hamid, sleeping in a different camp each night.

Length
8 days
Starts from
Marrakech
From
€765/ person for 5+
The Grand South by 4x4 — 7 Days from MarrakechPrivate

The Grand South by 4x4 — 7 Days from Marrakech

Arrive in Marrakech and spend five days in the south by 4x4: the gorges, a full day around Erg Chebbi, a night among the dunes and the hidden oasis of Fint.

Length
7 days
Starts from
Marrakech
Price
Price on request
Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara — 4 DaysPrivate

Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara — 4 Days

The crossing from Marrakech to Fes at an easier pace: a night in Ouarzazate, a night by the Todra river, a night in the dunes, then north to Fes.

Length
4 days
Starts from
Marrakech
Price
Price on request

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Sahara as a day trip?
Not the real dunes. Erg Chebbi and Erg Chegaga are on the far side of the Atlas, which is why we run them over two to four days. The one-day desert experience near Marrakech is Agafay, a rocky desert rather than sand dunes — good for a sunset, but it is not the Sahara.
What is the difference between Merzouga, Zagora and Erg Chegaga?
Merzouga sits beside Erg Chebbi, the tall classic dunes most people picture, and needs three days. Zagora is closer and doable in two, with smaller dunes. Erg Chegaga is the remote option, reached by 4x4, where you see far fewer other camps. Distance and solitude both rise in that order.
What is the desert camp like — is there a bathroom?
Our standard camps have proper beds with blankets, shared bathroom facilities and lighting; the luxury camps add private tents with hot showers. Either way the dunes are genuinely dark and quiet at night, which is what most people remember rather than the camel ride.
What should I pack for a desert tour?
A small overnight bag for the camp — your main luggage stays in the vehicle — plus a warm layer, something to cover your head, sunglasses and sunscreen. Desert nights get cold outside summer, and people consistently underpack for that rather than for the heat.
Do I have to ride a camel?
No. The camel leg into the camp is short and entirely optional, and walking that stretch instead is common enough that guides expect it. The vehicle covers all the real distance; the camels are the last stretch into the dunes.
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