Sahara Desert • Accommodation Guide
Desert Camping Guide
Luxury Glamping to Nomadic Bivouac
From en-suite tents with gourmet dining to sleeping under the stars on a Berber blanket. Find the perfect desert camp for your budget, style, and sense of adventure.
Luxury
$250-800
per night
Standard
$80-200
per night
Bivouac
$30-70
per night
Choosing Your Desert Camp
Your desert camp is the centerpiece of any Sahara experience. It is where you will watch the stars emerge, listen to Berber music around a crackling fire, share a communal meal with fellow travellers, and fall asleep to the profound silence of the desert. The camp you choose shapes the entire experience.
Morocco's desert camps fall into three clear tiers: luxury glamping for those who want the Sahara without sacrificing comfort, standard camps that balance authenticity with basic amenities, and bivouac (basic) camping for adventurers who want the raw, unfiltered desert experience. Each tier has its merits, and the “best” choice depends entirely on your priorities.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about each option: what to expect for your money, the food you will eat, the facilities available, and practical tips for booking the right camp.
Luxury Glamping
$250-800/nightThe ultimate desert indulgence. Private tents with en-suite bathrooms, real beds with high-thread-count linens, electricity and charging points, hot showers, gourmet multi-course dining, and personalized service. Some camps include swimming pools, spas, and private dune experiences.
What You Get
Accommodation:
Private tent with en-suite bathroom, king or queen bed with quality mattresses, luxury linens, carpets, and traditional decor.
Bathroom:
Private hot shower and flush toilet. Some camps offer standalone copper bathtubs.
Dining:
Multi-course gourmet meals: welcome drinks and canapes, starter, main tagine or couscous, dessert, and unlimited mint tea. Wine available at many camps.
Entertainment:
Private Berber music performance, guided stargazing with telescope, personal storytelling session, fire pit with drinks.
Extras:
Robes and slippers, turndown service, charging points, sometimes Wi-Fi, private camel for trek, personal guide.
Example Camps
Kam Kam Dunes
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Desert Luxury Camp
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp
Erg Chigaga, M'Hamid
Sahara Stars Camp
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Best For
Couples, honeymooners, luxury travelers, those who want comfort in the wilderness
Booking Tip
Book 3-6 months ahead for October-March peak season. Many luxury camps have only 8-15 tents.
Standard Camps
$80-200/nightThe most popular option for the majority of visitors. Comfortable shared facilities, traditional Berber tents with real mattresses and thick blankets, communal dining with authentic Moroccan cuisine, and a genuine desert campfire experience. A great balance between comfort and authenticity.
What You Get
Accommodation:
Shared or semi-private tent with mattress on the floor, blankets, pillows. Traditional Berber tent design. Some camps offer twin or double bed configurations.
Bathroom:
Shared bathroom block with hot water showers and flush toilets. Usually clean and well-maintained. Located a short walk from tents.
Dining:
Communal buffet-style dinner: salad, main course (tagine or couscous), bread, fruit, tea. Breakfast included: bread, jam, cheese, eggs, coffee/tea.
Entertainment:
Group Berber drumming and music around the campfire. Communal stargazing. Socialising with other travelers.
Extras:
Blankets and basic amenities. Some camps have a communal lounge area. Charging may be limited.
Example Camps
Merzouga Camp (Various)
Erg Chebbi
Sahara Camp Morocco
Erg Chebbi
Berber Desert Camp
Erg Chebbi
M'Hamid Standard Camps
Near Erg Chigaga
Best For
Budget-conscious travelers, solo travelers, groups, families, anyone wanting a genuine desert experience
Booking Tip
Many standard camps are included in multi-day tour packages from Marrakech or Fes. Compare inclusion details.
Bivouac (Basic) Camping
$30-70/nightThe most authentic desert experience. Simple nomadic-style camping under the open sky or in basic canvas tents. This is how Berber nomads have camped for centuries. Minimal facilities, maximum atmosphere. Perfect for adventurers who prioritize experience over comfort.
What You Get
Accommodation:
Basic tent or sleeping under the stars. Thin mattress or sleeping mat on sand. Blankets provided. Some bivouacs are just a cleared area with a campfire.
Bathroom:
Minimal or none. A screened area for privacy. Some bivouacs have basic portable toilets. No showers (wet wipes recommended).
Dining:
Simple but satisfying: tagine cooked over a campfire, fresh bread baked in sand, mint tea. One main meal plus breakfast.
Entertainment:
The desert itself. Campfire conversation with guides. Absolute silence and pristine stargazing. The most intimate desert experience.
Extras:
None. This is the raw, unfiltered desert. Bring your own headlamp, water, and any personal comforts.
Example Camps
Nomadic bivouacs
Various locations
Basic desert camps
Erg Chebbi outskirts
Wild camping experiences
Erg Chigaga
Best For
Adventure seekers, budget travelers, those wanting the most authentic Sahara experience, experienced campers
Booking Tip
Often arranged through local guides in Merzouga or M'Hamid. Less advance booking needed but quality varies widely.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Luxury | Standard | Bivouac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private bathroom | — | — | |
| Hot shower | — | ||
| Real bed (off ground) | Some | — | |
| Electricity/charging | Limited | — | |
| Gourmet multi-course dining | — | — | |
| Wine/alcohol available | Some | — | |
| Berber music performance | Sometimes | ||
| Telescope stargazing | — | — | |
| Private camel | — | — | |
| Wi-Fi | Some | — | — |
| Personal guide | — | Sometimes | |
| Breakfast included | |||
| Authentic atmosphere | Good | Very good | Best |
What to Expect: Food & Dining
Welcome Tea & Pastries
All campsOn arrival: traditional mint tea poured from a height (for froth) with honey-drenched pastries or msemen (Moroccan pancakes).
Dinner
All campsThe main event. Luxury: 4-5 courses with wine. Standard: communal tagine, bread, salad, fruit. Bivouac: campfire tagine with bread baked in sand.
Campfire Snacks
Luxury & StandardRoasted peanuts, dried fruits, more tea. Served around the fire during music and storytelling.
Breakfast
All campsLuxury: eggs to order, fresh juice, pastries, fruit, yogurt. Standard: bread, jam, butter, eggs, coffee/tea. Bivouac: bread and tea.
Booking Tips
Book luxury camps 3-6 months ahead
Peak season (October-March) fills quickly. Top camps like Kam Kam Dunes have only 8-15 tents and sell out months in advance.
Compare what is included
Some tours include camp in the price, others charge extra. Check if camel trek, activities, meals, and transfers are included.
Read recent reviews
Desert camps change quality frequently. Check TripAdvisor and Google reviews from the last 3-6 months, not just overall ratings.
Ask about camp location
The best camps are deep in the dunes, not on the edge. A 1-2 hour camel ride into the dunes means better views and more privacy.
Check the weather and prepare
Winter nights (December-February) can drop below freezing. Confirm your camp provides adequate blankets or request extra.
Confirm your specific camp
Some operators swap camps at the last minute. Get the camp name in writing and confirm before departure.
Consider a 2-night stay
One night is magical, but two nights allows you to relax, explore further, and truly absorb the desert atmosphere.
Tip your guides and staff
A tip of 50-100 MAD per person for camel guides and 100-200 MAD for camp staff is appropriate and greatly appreciated.
Desert Camping FAQ
How much does a luxury desert camp cost?
Luxury desert camps range from $250-800 per night per person, typically including private en-suite tent, gourmet dining, camel trek, entertainment, and stargazing. Top camps like Kam Kam Dunes start at $350/night.
What is the difference between glamping and bivouac?
Glamping features private en-suite tents with beds, hot showers, and gourmet dining ($250-800/night). Bivouac is basic nomadic camping with thin mattresses, minimal facilities, and campfire-cooked food ($30-70/night). Standard camps ($80-200/night) fall between.
What food is served at desert camps?
All camps serve traditional Moroccan cuisine including tagine, couscous, fresh bread, and mint tea. Luxury camps add multi-course gourmet meals with wine. Bivouacs offer campfire-cooked tagine and sand-baked bread.
Do desert camps have toilets and showers?
Luxury: private en-suite with hot shower and flush toilet. Standard: shared blocks with hot showers. Bivouac: minimal or no facilities. Wet wipes recommended for bivouac camping.
How far in advance should I book?
Book luxury camps 3-6 months ahead for peak season (October-March). Standard camps 1-3 months. Bivouac can be arranged with shorter notice through local guides.
"We splurged on the luxury camp and it was worth every penny. A private tent with an actual bed, hot shower, and four-course dinner under the stars. But the couple next to us at the campfire had chosen the standard camp and were having an equally amazing time. The Sahara itself is the real luxury."
Verified Guest
Desert Camping, December 2026
Book Your Desert Camp
Luxury$250-800/night
Standard$80-200/night
Bivouac$30-70/night
Best SeasonOct - Apr
Sahara Guides
Quick Pick
Honeymoon?
Luxury glamping. Private tent, gourmet dinner, stargazing.
Family?
Standard camp. Comfortable, fun, great value.
Backpacker?
Bivouac. Cheapest, most authentic, unforgettable.
Photographer?
Luxury camp deep in dunes. Best access, telescope for stars.
Desert Camping
Find Your Perfect Desert Camp
Let our desert specialists match you with the ideal camp for your budget and style. From ultra-luxury glamping to authentic nomadic bivouacs, we know every camp in the Sahara.