Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga — what's the difference?

Both are ergs — large dune fields — but they offer very different experiences. Erg Chebbi, beside Merzouga, is the famous one: a compact, dramatic wall of dunes up to around 150 metres, reachable by paved road right to the edge of the sand. From there it's a short camel trek or 4x4 hop to your camp. It's the most accessible big-dune Sahara in Morocco, which is exactly why most tours go there.

Erg Chigaga is the wilder cousin. It lies well beyond the village of M'Hamid, deep in the desert, and there is no paved road in — you reach it via a long 4x4 drive (often 2-plus hours off-road) across rocky plains and sand. The dune field is larger and more spread out than Chebbi, with far fewer camps and almost no other travellers in sight. The reward is genuine isolation; the cost is more driving and a rougher journey.

In practical terms, Erg Chebbi suits most people, especially first-timers and families: it delivers the iconic dune landscape with the least hassle, and there's a wide choice of camps from simple to luxury. Erg Chigaga suits travellers who specifically want remoteness, fewer crowds, and don't mind a demanding transfer to get it — it feels more like a true expedition.

If you've seen photos of the Sahara and want that exact scene without a punishing journey, Erg Chebbi is your answer. If your priority is solitude and being far from other tour groups, and you have the time and appetite for a long 4x4 crossing, Erg Chigaga is the one worth the effort.