Travel guide
How to get to Merzouga
Merzouga is far from the big cities, and that is exactly why the sky is so dark and the dunes so quiet. Here is how to get here, from people who live here.
Quick answer: Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech (9 to 10 hours of driving) and about 470 km from Fes (7 to 8 hours). Most travellers come on a 3 day private tour from Marrakech or Fes, which breaks the road into stages. You can also drive yourself, take a long distance bus, or fly to Errachidia, about 130 km away, and continue by private transfer.
Distances and travel times to Merzouga
| From | Distance | Driving time | Best option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | about 560 km | 9 to 10 h | 3 day tour via Aït Ben Haddou and the gorges |
| Fes | about 470 km | 7 to 8 h | Tour or transfer via Ifrane and Midelt |
| Ouarzazate | about 370 km | 6 h | Drive or transfer via the Todra Gorges |
| Errachidia (airport) | about 130 km | 2 h | Private transfer after your flight |
Driving times are indicative, without stops. The roads are paved all the way to Merzouga village.
1. On a private desert tour (our advice)
The road from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas and some of the most beautiful landscapes of Morocco. A 3 day tour lets you enjoy it instead of suffering it: one night in the Dades Gorges, one night at the camp, and stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the Todra Gorges and Rissani. Through Nomade Life, our tour company, we pick you up in Marrakech or Fes and your desert night is spent at Abdo Luxury Camp.
2. By car
Driving yourself is very doable. From Marrakech, take the N9 over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate, then the N10 to Tinghir and Errachidia, and the N13 south through Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga. From Fes, follow the N13 through Ifrane, Midelt and Errachidia. Leave your car in Merzouga village: we meet you there and take you to the camp by camel or 4x4. A normal car is enough, no need for a 4x4.
3. By bus
Long distance buses run to Merzouga from Marrakech and Fes, with companies such as Supratours and CTM. The journey is long and often overnight. Check the current timetable on their websites, then tell us your arrival time: we meet you in Merzouga.
4. By plane to Errachidia
The nearest airport is Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif, with flights from Casablanca. From there Merzouga is about two hours by road. We can organise a private transfer from the airport to the camp.
There is no train to Merzouga
The Moroccan rail network does not go south of the Atlas. Coming by train to Marrakech or Fes and continuing by tour, transfer or bus is the usual solution.
Our exact location
The camp is in the Erg Chebbi dunes south of Merzouga village. Cars stay in the village: we meet you there and take you to the camp by camel or 4x4.
Practical questions
Getting to the camp, step by step
Where do we meet when we arrive in Merzouga?
When you book, we send you a meeting point in Merzouga village on WhatsApp, with a map pin. Someone from our team waits for you there and takes you to the camp.
Can I drive my car to the camp?
No, the camp is in the dunes and cars stay in the village. You leave your car in Merzouga and continue by camel or by 4x4 with us. Take a small bag for the night; large luggage can travel by 4x4.
Is it better to come from Marrakech or from Fes?
Fes is closer and the road is faster. Marrakech is further but the route is more spectacular, with the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou and the gorges. Many travellers come from Marrakech and continue to Fes, or the opposite.
Is it possible to visit Merzouga as a day trip from Marrakech?
Not really. With 9 to 10 hours of driving each way, the desert deserves at least one night. Plan a minimum of 3 days from Marrakech, or 2 days from Fes.
We will be waiting for you
Tell us how you are travelling and when you arrive. We take it from there.