Merzouga in February

February eases the chill a little at Erg Chebbi. Daytime highs climb toward 21°C under the same dry, brilliant skies, comfortable for camel trekking, dune walks and 4x4 trips into the sand. Nights remain cold, dropping toward 5°C, so a desert camp still calls for warm layers and good sleeping gear, but the bite of midwinter has begun to soften and the lengthening days give more daylight to enjoy the dunes in the clear, sharp light.

It is a fine, quiet month for the classic Merzouga experience before the spring travel season builds. Sunset camel treks into the great dunes, a night under canvas, and sunrise over the sand are all rewarding, and the cold, clear nights still deliver superb stargazing. With almost no rain, conditions are reliable; the main planning factor remains the cold after dark, so check that your camp is properly equipped with heavy blankets and warmth.

February works well as the desert climax of a southern circuit, reached overland through the Dades and Draa valleys. Daytime conditions are pleasant and dry, the dunes are crowd-free, and the photography is superb in the clean late-winter light. For travellers who want the Sahara calm and dramatic — and who pack for genuine cold at night — late winter at Erg Chebbi is a rewarding, uncrowded time to come.