Merzouga in May

May turns up the heat at Erg Chebbi as the prime desert season begins to wind down. Daytime highs climb to around 34°C under intense, dry sun, while the nights stay pleasantly mild — a comfortable contrast after the blazing days. The classic Merzouga experience still works if you favour the cooler ends of the day: sunset camel treks, dawn over the dunes, and a night under canvas are rewarding, but the brightest midday hours are best spent resting in the shade.

The dunes are spectacular in May's strong light, the sand glowing gold against deep-blue skies, but the heat shapes the rhythm. Camel trekking and 4x4 trips are best timed for early morning or late afternoon, with plenty of water and sun protection, and the mild nights keep stargazing comfortable. With virtually no rain and dependable clear skies, the weather is utterly reliable — the only real factor is the building heat as summer approaches.

May is a good month for heat-tolerant travellers who plan around the midday sun, and it can be quieter as the peak season fades. For those sensitive to heat, the earlier spring months are kinder. As a desert climax reached overland through the valleys, May still delivers the classic Sahara — golden dunes, camel caravans and starry nights — but with a clear warning that the brutal heat of high summer is now close at hand.