Merzouga Sahara Desert Camp

At Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara in south-eastern Morocco, the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to around 150 metres, glowing orange and pink as the sun goes down. A night here is the highlight of many Morocco trips.

In the late afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes to reach your camp, climbing a ridge to watch the sunset. Evenings bring dinner, Berber drumming around a fire and a sky packed with stars, and at dawn you can climb the dunes again for sunrise. Camps range from simple tents to comfortable ones with proper beds and private bathrooms.

Merzouga is a long drive from Marrakech or Fes, so most trips take three days, with stops at the Todra Gorge and a kasbah along the way. Nights are cold in winter; bring warm layers and a scarf against the sand.