Merzouga in December

December settles Erg Chebbi into the heart of winter, and the gulf between day and night is at its widest. Daytime highs of around 19°C make for genuinely pleasant dune walks, camel treks and 4x4 trips under brilliant, dry blue skies, but the desert nights drop close to freezing — sometimes below — so a camp stay demands serious warm layers and good sleeping gear. The dunes glow softly in the low winter sun, and the bitterly cold nights bring some of the year's most spectacular stargazing.

This is a fine month for the classic Merzouga experience handled around the cold. Sunset camel treks into the great dunes, a night under canvas, and sunrise over Erg Chebbi are all rewarding by day and dusk, but the deep cold after dark means heavy blankets, layers and a warm camp are essential. Reputable desert camps are equipped with fires and thick bedding for winter; confirm that yours is properly prepared before you book.

December suits travellers who want the Sahara calm, crystal-clear and crowd-free, and who come ready for real cold at night. The near-total dryness means clear skies are all but guaranteed, and the dunes are at their most photogenic in the sharp, low light. As the quiet, dramatic depth of the desert season, it offers comfortable days, bitterly cold nights and unforgettable winter stars over the great dunes of Erg Chebbi.