Yes, Morocco has deserts. The country contains part of the Sahara Desert, which is the largest hot desert in the world. Most of these desert landscapes are located south of the Atlas Mountains. The famous areas include Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga, and Agafay.
In this guide you will learn everything about the Moroccan desert. I will explain where the deserts are and what types of deserts you can find here. The desert is not only sand. It is also rocks and dry valleys. You will also learn about the main places to visit, what the landscape looks like and what things you can do there. I will share information on the best time to go and how to travel to these places. This guide will help you understand the Moroccan Sahara so you can plan a nice trip.
Quick Answer: Does Morocco Have a Desert?
If you are looking for a fast answer, yes Morocco contains part of the Sahara Desert. It is a very big area of dry land.
Here are the main facts you need to know:
- Morocco contains part of the Sahara Desert.
- It is located mainly in southeastern Morocco near the border.
- The most famous sand dune areas are:
- Erg Chebbi
- Erg Chigaga
- Zagora dunes
- Morocco also has rocky deserts like the Agafay Desert near Marrakech.
You might see the word “erg” when you read about the desert. An erg is a large sea of sand. It is a place where the wind moves the sand and makes big hills called dunes. When people think of the Sahara, they usually think of an erg.
Where Is the Desert in Morocco?
The geography of Morocco is very interesting. The country has an ocean, big green mountains and also very dry land. The desert is in a specific part of the country.
The Sahara Desert in Morocco
Morocco hosts the western edge of the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is a very big desert that covers many countries in Africa. You can read more about how big it is on the Wikipedia page for the Sahara.
In Morocco the desert begins south of the Atlas Mountains. The Atlas Mountains are very high. They stop the rain clouds that come from the ocean. Because the rain does not pass the mountains, the land on the other side becomes very dry. This is where the Sahara begins.
Main Desert Region
The main desert region lies in southeastern Morocco. This area is close to the border with Algeria. The most known places here are Merzouga, M’Hamid, Zagora, and the Draa Valley.
If you travel from cities like Fes or Marrakech, you will see the land change. First you see green trees and farms. Then you cross the mountains and you see dry earth and small bushes. Finally, you reach the deep south where you only see sand and rocks. It is a long journey to reach this main desert region but the roads are okay.
Types of Deserts in Morocco
When we talk about the desert many people only think about yellow sand. But the desert in Morocco has different types of land. It is good to know the difference before you choose where to go.
Sand Dune Deserts (Ergs)
The sand dune deserts are the most famous. As I said before, these are called ergs. They are large dune fields covered with soft sand. The wind blows every day and forms the sand into beautiful shapes. This is the iconic Sahara landscape.
The sand here can be orange, yellow, or a little bit red. It changes color when the sun goes down. The two main examples of sand dune deserts in Morocco are Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. If you want to walk on soft sand and see tall sand hills, you need to visit an erg.
Rocky Deserts
Morocco also has rocky deserts. The local word for a rocky desert is hammada. A rocky desert is a big flat land covered with stones, hard earth, and dry rocks. There is no soft sand here.
A good example of this is the Agafay Desert. It is located very close to Marrakech. The difference between a stone desert and a sand desert is how it looks and feels. A rocky desert looks a bit like the moon. It is hard to walk on because of the stones. A sand desert is very soft. Both of them are very quiet and have a beautiful clear sky at night.
The Main Deserts You Can Visit in Morocco
There are four main desert areas that travelers like to visit in Morocco. Each place is different. Some are very far and some are close. If you want a detailed comparison, you can read our guide about Agafay vs Merzouga vs Zagora.
Erg Chebbi Desert (Merzouga)
The Erg Chebbi desert is the most popular Sahara destination in Morocco. It is located right next to a small village called Merzouga.
The sand dunes here are very big and beautiful. Some dunes can go up to 150 meters high. Because the dunes are so high, it is a very nice place to watch the sun rise in the morning. Here you can do camel trekking and sleep in nice desert camps. There are many camps to choose from. Some are very simple and some have comfortable beds and showers. It is very easy to find things to do in Merzouga because many people visit this place every year.
Erg Chigaga Desert
Erg Chigaga is another sand dune desert. It is larger than Erg Chebbi but it is more remote. Remote means it is far away from the towns and hard to reach.
You cannot drive your normal car to Erg Chigaga. You have to take a 4×4 car and drive off the road from a small town called M’Hamid. Because it is harder to get there, it is less crowded. You will see fewer tourists. The dunes are very wide and it feels very wild and natural. It is a good choice for people who want a very quiet trip away from the crowds.
Zagora Desert
The Zagora desert is located near the town of Zagora in the Draa Valley. This desert is different from Merzouga and M’Hamid. The sand dunes here are smaller. You will not find the giant 150-meter dunes here.
But Zagora has easier access. It is closer to Marrakech than the big dunes. It is a good short desert trip if you only have two days to travel. You can still ride a camel, wear traditional clothes, and sleep in a desert tent. It gives you a nice feeling of the desert without a very long drive.
Agafay Desert
The Agafay Desert is a rocky desert. It does not have any sand dunes. But it is very popular because it is very close to Marrakech. It takes less than one hour to drive there.
It is popular for luxury camps. People go there to have a nice dinner, sit by the fire, and look at the stars. You can also see the high mountains in the background. If you do not have time to drive many hours to the Sahara, Agafay is a nice place to visit for one day or one night.
What Does the Moroccan Desert Look Like?
The Moroccan desert looks very peaceful. It has many different colors and shapes. When you go there you will see golden sand dunes that look like waves on the ocean. The wind makes small lines on the sand every day.
You will also see flat rocky plateaus where the ground is dark and hard. Sometimes you pass by dry valleys. These are places where water used to run many years ago. Now they are just dry rivers with some small bushes.
A very beautiful thing to see is the desert oases. An oasis is a green place in the middle of the dry land. It has water, green grass, and many tall palm trees. People grow dates and vegetables there. You will also see nomadic camps. These are simple tents made of dark wool where local families live with their goats and camels. The desert has different landscapes beyond just sand dunes. It is a big environment with many things to see. You can read more about desert environments on the National Geographic website.
Best Things to Do in the Moroccan Desert
Life in the desert is slow and simple. There are many nice things to do when you visit.
The most traditional activity is camel trekking. You ride a camel slowly over the sand dunes. Camels are tall animals and they walk very quietly. It is a very peaceful way to travel. Another good thing to do is stay in an overnight desert camp. You sleep in a tent made of heavy fabric and eat local food like tagine for dinner.
Many people enjoy sandboarding. You take a wooden board and slide down the high sand dunes. It is fun and safe because the sand is soft. At night the best activity is stargazing. The desert has no city lights, so the sky is very dark. You can see thousands of stars very clearly.
During the day you can enjoy visiting Berber villages. You can see how the local people live in this dry place and drink sweet mint tea with them. Finally, watching the desert sunset is a beautiful moment. The sand changes color to warm orange and red before the sun goes down.
Best Time to Visit the Desert in Morocco
The weather in the Sahara changes a lot. The best time to visit the desert in Morocco is during the cooler months. The best seasons are from October to April.
During these months the weather is very nice. The days are warm and sunny. You can wear a t-shirt during the day. But the nights can be very cold, especially in December and January. You need a warm jacket for the night.
You should avoid the summer extreme heat. From June to September the desert is too hot. The temperature can go over 45 degrees Celsius. It is very hard to walk outside and the sand burns your feet. Many camps close during the summer because it is not comfortable. If you want more details on the weather for your whole trip, read our guide on the best time to visit Morocco.
How to Get to the Sahara Desert in Morocco
Getting to the Sahara Desert takes time. The desert is far from the big airports in the north. You need to prepare for a long drive.
The most popular routes start from Marrakech or Fes. If you travel from Marrakech, you will drive south over the high mountains. You will pass through Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate is a nice city known as the door to the desert. The travel time from Marrakech to the big dunes in Merzouga is about 9 to 10 hours of driving. Because it is a long drive, people usually stop and sleep one night on the way. You can see how this works in our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech itinerary.
If you start from Fes, the drive is also long. It takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach Merzouga from Fes. The roads are good and paved until you reach the edge of the desert. You can take a bus, rent a car, or go with a local driver.
Is the Sahara Desert Worth Visiting in Morocco?
Sometimes people ask if it is worth the long drive to see the desert. Yes, the Sahara Desert is very much worth visiting. It is an iconic Moroccan experience.
The unique landscapes of the sand dunes are something you will not see in many other countries. The silence of the desert is very good for resting your mind. It is also a very good place for a cultural connection with nomadic Berber communities. The local people who live near the desert are very kind. They have a simple way of life and they like to share their music and tea with visitors. It is a long journey to get there, but it is usually the best part of the trip for many travelers.
FAQ About the Desert in Morocco
Here are some frequent questions that people ask about the desert.
Is the Sahara Desert in Morocco?
Yes, the Sahara Desert is in Morocco. The Sahara is very large and covers many countries in North Africa. Morocco has a big part of the western edge of this desert. Most of it is located in the south and southeast of the country.
How big is the Sahara in Morocco?
The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. It is hard to give the exact size of the Moroccan part because the borders of the desert blend with the rocky mountains. But the desert covers a very large area in the southern half of Morocco. It takes many days to drive across all the dry regions in the south.
Can you visit the desert from Marrakech?
Yes, you can visit the desert from Marrakech. If you only have one day you can visit the Agafay rocky desert which is very close. If you want to see the real Sahara sand dunes in Zagora, Merzouga or M’Hamid, you will need to take a trip of 2 or 3 days. It is a long drive from Marrakech to the big dunes.
What is the best desert in Morocco?
There is no single best desert. It depends on what kind of trip you want. Erg Chebbi in Merzouga is the most popular because the dunes are very high and it is easy to find a nice camp. Erg Chigaga is good if you want a wild place with fewer people. Agafay is the best option if you are very short on time.
Is the Moroccan desert safe?
Yes, the Moroccan desert is safe for tourists. The guides and drivers know the roads and the sand very well. The camps are safe and the local people are friendly. Even if you travel alone, you will be fine. You can read more about safety in our article on whether Morocco is safe for solo travelers. Just remember to bring water and protect your head from the hot sun. It is a good idea to learn what to pack for a Morocco Sahara desert tour before you go.
Conclusion
To summarize everything, Morocco does have deserts. The country has a very beautiful part of the Sahara Desert. There are multiple landscapes to see, from the high soft sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to the hard rocky plateaus of Agafay.
The desert is a must-visit destination if you come to Morocco. It is a place where you can ride a camel, watch a beautiful sunset, and sleep under a sky full of stars. It is a very peaceful and simple place. If you want to see this beautiful part of the world, I recommend you start planning your trip. Take your time, read our guides, and prepare for a nice journey to the Moroccan Sahara.