Merzouga Desert Camp Review: Camel Rides and Food

Alright, have you ever thought about ditching that regular vacation for something like, totally unreal? Think sand dunes stretching like, forever, stars that appear close enough to touch, and yeah, a camel. I am serious! Spending a night in a Merzouga desert camp, right there in the Sahara, is, really, something else. If you’re wondering if it’s worth it, keep reading for, like, the lowdown on what to expect, what’s super great, and, maybe, a few things to keep in mind.

Booking Your Desert Escape

Ok, so you are in. First things first: getting your spot in the sand sorted. You could roll up to Merzouga and just, kind of, hope for the best, but booking ahead? Yeah, that takes away that stress and probably will get you, pretty much, a better deal, too. Lots of tour companies, you see, offer these overnight stays, ranging from pretty basic tents to super fancy setups, and stuff. Very, very, important thing is to read reviews and ask questions. Find out what’s included, like, airport pick-up (if you need it), how far you are actually riding those camels, and whether meals are covered. Knowing this ahead means less like, surprises later, and you’re sure, probably, that the operator is responsible, too, looking after their animals.

I went with a mid-range option. It appeared to offer the right balance of, kind of, comfort and authenticity. What I mean, it had a proper bed in the tent and, seemingly, decent reviews. Don’t just go for what seems like the deal which is, honestly, super cheap: these might be cutting costs in a way that will negatively impact the camels, and you are responsible for that, too.

The Camel Ride: A Sandy Commute

Ok, so picture this: you’re meeting your camel. The starting point is generally somewhere just outside Merzouga itself. Now, I had expected it to be maybe a little, slightly awkward clambering aboard this massive creature but, frankly, it was a blast. You feel, honestly, so high up, like you’re surveying your sandy empire, you see? The guide gave us some instructions on, for example, holding on tight (that’s really important, btw) and how to position ourselves when the camel got up and sat down, basically. Then we were off!

The ride to the camp itself is, like, an hour or two, depending on the camp’s location. And, honestly, it is an experience. The silence, with only the sound of the camel’s hooves, plus the views of the dunes stretching as far as your eye is concerned, are just breathtaking. Sure, after a while, your bum will begin to feel it (word to the wise, maybe wear padded pants!) and stuff, but just trust me, it’s all just part of the fun. We stopped along the way to grab some pictures as the sun sunk a little; my pics didn’t do it any justice, like your phone simply can’t really capture how enormous those dunes are. Just before getting to camp, we found a spot to watch the sunset, the colours over the dunes turning this unreal gold and red.

Settling into Camp: Oasis in the Desert

So, arriving at camp feels a bit like stumbling into an oasis. There it is, after, really, that long ride. Tents are typically arranged around a central area, like, for meals and gatherings. The camps vary massively, some being super simple, while other sites offer luxuries such as, maybe, proper beds, showers and flush toilets. Now, the tents, too, are cool: thick blankets protect you from the desert cold (it actually does get really chilly in the evening) so too from any noise.

After getting settled in, it was time for dinner. Now, typically, this is a tagine. Yeah, a big, flavourful Moroccan stew, and served with bread. After that long camel ride, honestly, it tastes absolutely amazing. The food I had was simple, still absolutely delicious, it being a very welcome feast, eaten by candlelight under the stars, for example. A tagine is perfect with tender meat and flavorful vegetables.

Evening Entertainment Under the Stars

Ok, here is one of the biggest draws for a desert camp: the stars. So, far from the city lights, you can actually view, potentially, the Milky Way in all its sparkling beauty. It is almost surreal. Loads of camps provide entertainment around a fire, often involving Berber music and drumming. Guests are invited to sit, listen and just maybe join in. This, for me, was such a special way to enjoy myself. The guides shared some stories and then explained some local traditions, creating such a nice community feel with, probably, visitors from all over the place.

Don’t expect a super late night. It’s tiring trekking around in sand dunes, so that said most people turn in around midnight or shortly after, I feel. Getting some proper sleep is important because of the early start.

Sunrise and the Ride Back

Right, so setting that alarm! Waking up before dawn is actually essential. Seriously, seeing the sunrise over the Sahara is genuinely breathtaking. As the light appears, the dunes change into colours ranging from deep oranges to soft pinks, just maybe a spectacle. Plus it will change from minute to minute. Loads of people climb the biggest dune nearby, like, to get the full panorama.

Once the sun is up properly, you’ll have breakfast at the camp. This could be like, bread, jam, coffee, and tea, like to start you up ahead of the ride back. The camel trek back to Merzouga happens in the early morning light. It felt kind of sad saying goodbye to that quiet of the desert, although my sore bum was relieved that, at last, the riding was coming to a stop.

What to Bring: Packing Smart

Okay, a couple of essential things to consider bringing, maybe will really boost your stay:

Comfortable, Loose Clothing: Something like that, covering your arms and legs to protect you from the sun and the sand, is really vital.
Layers: So, the desert gets super hot during daytime and absolutely freezing at night. Layers are crucial.
Sturdy Shoes or Boots: Something like, covering your ankles, to stop sand getting in.
A Scarf or Shemagh: Absolutely useful for covering your face from blowing sand.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm: That Saharan sun and wind will actually dry you out.
Sunglasses: Actually essential.
A Headlamp or Flashlight: So, handy for navigating the camp at night.
Camera or Smartphone: To capture that gorgeous scenery. Plus, you’re going to remember this day!
Power Bank: Really important for keeping your devices juiced up; there might be, sometimes, limited electricity.
Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: Yeah, important for staying clean in the desert.
Any Personal Medication: Really vital to remember any meds you regularly require.

Is an Overnight Desert Trip Ethical?

This is actually a vital question to ask before booking that adventure. Making sure that the tour operator treats their camels properly and respects the environment really matters, and stuff. Look for operators known to have, kind of, good animal welfare policies, providing camels with, like, adequate rest, food and water. Minimizing waste is also a huge deal: pick an organization that runs responsible waste management practices and, maybe, avoids single-use plastics. Tourism might really help to provide the local communities with money, still picking respectful operators that really fairly pay the local Berber people really matters.

Overall: Was it Worth It?

Okay, so definitely yes! Spending a night in the Merzouga desert camp can really create experiences that you will find it hard to match, such as camel rides across the dunes, sleeping under all of those stars, the peace of the Sahara and more besides. Yeah, sure, it isn’t always the height of convenience and comfort. Even so, for something special that offers you views and insights unlike any other trip? It really should go on your bucket list. Going there prepared (maybe with padded pants!), picking an operator, basically that cares about animals, then respecting the area all around you. If you consider that, you really might find yourself in, virtually, a trip of a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit the Merzouga Desert?

Okay, the best times are like, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), because there are moderate temperatures.

How do I get to Merzouga?

Alright, loads of travelers choose to arrive from bigger cities like Fez or Marrakech, either by, for example, a private transfer, bus or arranged tour.

Are there bathroom facilities in the desert camp?

Now, the camps might have varying options, so check what they include. Some feature the basic restrooms and washing facilities; luxury ones have proper bathrooms.

What if I can’t ride a camel?

That’s cool. Most camps provide, for example, 4×4 transport directly to the camp, if you really don’t want that ride.

Is the desert camp safe?

Yes, in general, so. Operators frequently ensure safety measures plus have a presence to stop problems happening. But you should also keep your eye on things and make sure the place you’re paying to go is properly insured and properly careful.

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