Camel Trekking in Morocco: A 2026 Guide to the Sahara Dunes

Camel trekking in Morocco means riding a dromedary (one-humped camel) in a small caravan across the Sahara's sand dunes, usually for about 1 to 1.5 hours from the dune edge to a desert camp. The two main areas are Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and the more remote Erg Chigaga near M'hamid. Treks run at sunset or sunrise, often paired with an overnight camp stay.

#At a Glance

| Fact | Detail | |------|--------| | What it is | Riding a dromedary camel in a guided caravan over Sahara dunes | | Where | Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) and Erg Chigaga (near M'hamid el Ghizlane) | | Ride to camp | Around 1 to 1.5 hours each way | | Best season | October to April (avoid peak summer heat) | | Typical formats | Sunset ride, sunrise ride, or overnight (ride in, sleep, ride out) | | Who can do it | Most reasonably mobile adults and older children | | Drive from Marrakech to Merzouga | Roughly 8 to 10 hours; we recommend splitting it over two days | | Camel weight limit (welfare) | Reputable operators cap loads at around 150 kg per animal |

#What Camel Trekking Actually Is

A camel trek is not a fairground loop. You join a short caravan, each camel roped loosely to the one ahead, led on foot by a chamelier (camel handler). The pace is slow and rolling. Camels rise back-legs-first, so the mount and dismount lurch forward then back, which surprises first-timers. After that, it settles into a gentle sway.

The point is the arrival. Most treks deliver you over a dune crest to a camp set in a sheltered bowl of sand, with the light going gold and long shadows stretching across the ripples. It is short, deliberate theatre, and it works.

#Where to Go: Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga

Erg Chebbi, reached via Merzouga, is the more accessible of the two great ergs. Its dunes rise dramatically near the village, so the trek to camp is short and the infrastructure is good. This is the right choice if your time is limited or you are travelling with family.

Erg Chigaga, beyond M'hamid, is wilder, larger, and far less developed. Getting there involves a long 4x4 run over rough piste, which keeps the crowds away and the silence absolute. Choose Chigaga if remoteness matters more than convenience.

We compare the two in detail in our guide to Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga, which is worth reading before you commit.

#Sunset, Sunrise, or Overnight?

Sunset trek. You set out in late afternoon, reach a high dune for the sunset, then ride down to camp. The most popular format and the easiest to combine with a single night under the stars.

Sunrise trek. Quieter and cooler. You ride out before dawn to catch the sun lifting over the dunes. Best for photographers and light sleepers; the colours are softer than the fiery sunset palette.

Overnight trek. The classic. You ride in at sunset (around 1 to 1.5 hours), dine at camp, sleep, then ride or transfer out the next morning after sunrise. This is the version most worth doing, because the desert reveals itself only after the day-trippers leave and the stargazing begins.

#What It's Like, and Who Can Do It

The ride is comfortable enough for most reasonably fit adults and confident older children. It is gentle, not strenuous, but the rocking motion can feel unsteady at first and the up-and-down at mount and dismount needs a moment of nerve.

If you have significant back, hip, or balance issues, or limited mobility, the camel itself may not be for you. The good news: at most camps near Erg Chebbi, a 4x4 transfer reaches the camp directly, so you can skip the camel and still enjoy the night in the dunes. Always tell your operator in advance so they arrange a vehicle.

Children generally love it. Very young children should share a saddle with a parent or take the 4x4. Ask about minimum ages, which vary by operator.

#What to Wear and Bring

The desert swings from warm afternoons to genuinely cold nights, especially in winter, so layer.

• Long, loose trousers to prevent saddle chafing
• Closed shoes or trainers, not sandals (sand gets everywhere and is hot midday)
• A scarf or light cheche for sun, wind, and blowing sand
• A warm layer or fleece for evenings and the morning ride
• Sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and a hat
• A small daypack with water and a phone or camera
• A headtorch for moving around camp after dark

Leave hard-sided luggage at your hotel or in the support vehicle; you only need an overnight bag.

#The Honest Bit: Camel Welfare

We will not pretend this is a non-issue. Morocco has limited enforced animal-welfare legislation, and groups including PETA have documented mistreatment of camels in parts of the tourism industry, including overloading, beating, and inadequate shelter. That is real, and it is why operator choice matters more than the itinerary.

What responsible trekking looks like in practice: camels that look well-fed and unmarked, with no open sores; loads kept under roughly 150 kg per animal; short, shaded rest periods rather than all-day hauling in peak heat; handlers who guide rather than beat. We work only with handlers we know, cap ride times, and will arrange a 4x4 alternative for anyone uncomfortable with riding at all. If an operator cannot answer questions about weight limits and rest, treat that as a red flag.

#Best Season

Aim for October through April. Daytime temperatures are pleasant and the nights are cool but bearable. Midsummer (June to August) brings extreme heat that is hard on both riders and camels; if you must travel then, ride only at sunrise or after sunset and keep it short. Spring can bring occasional sandstorms, and winter nights near the dunes can drop close to freezing, so pack that warm layer.

#Turning a Ride Into a Journey

A camel trek is the opening act, not the whole show. The most rewarding way to experience it is as part of a private, well-paced journey: a comfortable two-day drive south, a sunset ride into the dunes, a night in a proper luxury desert camp with a real bed and a hot dinner, and a sunrise ride back out.

Explore how we build these on our Sahara experiences page, browse our Morocco tours, or let us design something around your dates with a private tour. For travellers who want the camp and the comforts dialled all the way up, see our Morocco luxury tours.

#Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the camel ride to the desert camp? Usually around 1 to 1.5 hours each way, depending on the camp's position in the dunes. Treks near Erg Chebbi tend to be shorter; some Erg Chigaga camps involve a longer ride or a 4x4 transfer.

Is camel trekking safe and comfortable? For most reasonably mobile adults and older children, yes. The pace is slow and the handler leads on foot. The main awkward moments are mounting and dismounting, when the camel lurches as it stands or kneels.

Can I skip the camel and still stay in the desert camp? Yes. Most camps near Merzouga can be reached by 4x4, so anyone with mobility, back, or balance concerns can transfer directly and still enjoy the dunes, dinner, and stargazing. Tell your operator in advance.

What is the best time of year for camel trekking in Morocco? October to April offers the most comfortable conditions. Avoid midsummer's extreme heat; if you travel then, ride only at sunrise or sunset.

Is camel trekking ethical? It can be, with the right operator. Choose handlers who keep loads under about 150 kg, rest the animals, and treat them well. Avoid any camel that looks thin, sore, or exhausted, and any operator who can't discuss welfare.

What should I wear for a camel trek? Long loose trousers, closed shoes, a scarf for sun and sand, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a warm layer for the cold desert nights.