Sahara Wanderers: The Chronicles of a 2-night Sahara Desert Expedition
Updated: Apr 3
There is something otherworldly about the Sahara Desert that beckons travelers from all corners of the globe. As we are no exception, we decided to embark on an epic 2-night, 3-day journey into the heart of the Sahara during our Morocco vacation, and it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. Rather than booking one of the many tours listed online, we reached out directly to Sunrise Sahara Camp (our top pick for a desert hotel) and had them organize the entire adventure for us.
Day1: The Long and Winding Road from Marrakech to Sahara Desert
Our adventure began with a 9-hour drive from Marrakech to Sahara Desert in Merzouga. The roads were impressively well-paved and wide, but their winding nature through the Atlas mountains left us both feeling queasy and tired. Most tours make a pit stop halfway in the Dades Valley for the night, but due to booking constraints, we powered through to make it into Merzouga just in time for the highlight of our day, the sunset camel ride.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves atop the incredible red sand dunes of the Sahara, mesmerized by the breathtaking desert landscapes. The sight of other camel caravans dotting the dunes in the distance only added to the enchanting ambiance. After the sun had magnificently set and our behinds had been roughly bounced around for an hour, our guide led us straight on camelback to our desert camp where our luggage was already waiting. We were greeted with traditional Moroccan tea and cookies beside a roaring fire, before being led down to our beautiful glass dome room.
Dinner at the camp was a revelation. Given the limited setup and rustic location, we were surprised by how delicious all of the food was. The vegetable tagine with Moroccan cheese was a highlight, and the bottle of Moroccan red wine perfectly complemented the meal. After dinner, we all gathered around the fire to enjoy a local drum performance that transported us further into the magic of the desert.
Despite the long day, we couldn’t resist staying up a bit longer to gaze at the unencumbered stars from the outdoor bed on our patio. In fact, despite having booked the most beautiful hotel room in the Sahara desert, it was outside on this bed that we spent the night. One of the unique features of the Sunrise Sahara camp is that each room has an attached patio where you can choose to sleep outside still in relative privacy. The weather in late September was perfectly cool overnight, and it was one of the most restful sleeps we have ever had.
Day 2: Adventures in the Sahara Desert
That restful sleep came to a screeching halt when the sun rose over the dunes in the distance. After snapping a few photos, we transplanted ourselves inside the room and closed the curtains to catch a couple more hours of sleep. We woke again at 9:30 am to find that our glass-walled room had already turned into a hot box. We got ready for the day quickly and left the room to relax in the much more bearable shade outdoors. If you are planning to visit over the even hotter summer months, or are planning to spend more than one night at a desert camp, you may want to book one that has air conditioning instead.
We had a delightful breakfast at the camp and then set out with our guide to meet some nomadic families, enjoy musical performances, and drive to several viewpoints around the desert. At the end of the day’s activities, we checked into our second hotel, Riad Madu, which had an unbelievably cold pool that overlooked the dunes. Because we chose to drive straight through from Marrakech to Merzouga on the first day, it meant that we could spend two nights in the desert itself and enjoy the itinerary normally reserved for those on a three-night journey. If you have the time, the three-night option would probably be more enjoyable, but if not, this could be a good alternative.
The highlight of our entire desert adventure awaited us on this second night. We rented a two-person dune buggy and headed into the desert with a guide an hour before sunset. This was the pricier option(when compared to smaller buggies and ATVs), but the thrill of racing up and down endless dunes, with ever more spectacular views around every bend, was worth every Euro(yes they charged in Euros).
We took turns sandboarding down the dunes, the joy of which was only matched by the feeling of having a guide to fetch us on his ATV and give us a ride back up the giant hill to try again. If you only have one night in the desert, we highly recommend choosing this activity over the usually included camel ride. It allows you to explore the vast desert in ways a camel simply can’t match, and it is a LOT easier on your rear end.
Pro Tip: Stock up on alcohol before arriving in Merzouga, as it can be difficult to find drinks in this remote town. Our hotels were all happy to serve us any wine and beer we brought along ourselves during dinner and by the pool. Our desert camp had drinks available but only in limited quantities, so those who did not pre-arrange it were unable to indulge. It is worth reaching out to your camp in advance if this is something you are interested in enjoying.
Day 3: Farewell to the Sahara Desert
On our final day, we embarked on another 9-hour journey, this time heading to Fes. There is also the option to return to Marrakech, however, we decided to use this journey as a way to reach our next destination in Morocco. Along the way, we enjoyed a few stops, including the sight of wild monkeys and a picturesque Swiss-style village. It was another long and tiring day, but in the end, it was all worth it.
The Sahara is a sight to behold, a vast sea of golden sands that stretch beyond the horizon and change colours with every shift of the sun. Just make sure to allocate enough time to fully savour its beauty, and forget about the windy car ride that took you there. Our 2-night, 3-day adventure into the Sahara will forever remain one of our most treasured memories, a testament to the enchantment of Morocco’s desert jewel, Merzouga and the Sunrise Sahara Camp.
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