The Sahara Desert has an extension of more than 9 million square kilometers , which means that it is almost as big as China .
Although many speak of the Marrakech Desert, in reality it does not exist. The desert referred to when speaking of the Marrakech Desert is the Sahara Desert, the largest arid zone in the world .
The countries included are: Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Libya, Chad, Egypt and Sudan.
Being an interesting area for tourism and with millions of visitors a year, Marrakech is the main departure point towards the Sahara Desert of Morocco .
The two most important areas of the Moroccan Sahara Desert are Zagora and Merzouga .
Zagora desert
The Zagora Desert is more arid and with fewer dunes than t
hat of Merzouga . The main advantage of Zagora is that it is located closer to Marrakech and, therefore, is the most appropriate place for short-term excursions (two days and one night).
From Marrakech to Zagora it is 360 kilometers away and it takes about 7 hours to get there. As there are several stops, the ride is challenging and not as boring as you might think.
Merzouga desert
The Merzouga Desert is the most impressive part of Morocco's Sahara Desert and is just what one imagines when one thinks of the desert. Although the dunes of countries such as Algeria and Libya are the most popular, those of Erg Chebbi, south of Merzouga, reach 150 meters in height and have nothing to envy to those of the Algerian and Lebanese deserts. There are many ways to get to Merzouga, many tourists take the Marrakech desert trips as it is the best and short.
From Marrakech to Merzouga there are about 550 kilometers away and the journey takes more than 10 hours ; normally, you sleep one night halfway, both on the way out and on the way back.
Best desert to visit?
If time and budget are not an issue, your best bet is to take a 4 or 5 day excursion to the Merzouga Desert . It is an extraordinary place and the journey, even if long, is pleasant, because it takes longer and there are several stops along the way. The landscapes that can be seen during the excursion are worthwhile, just like the view of the desert. Places like Ait Ben Haddou, the Rose Valley, the Dades Gorge, the Draa Valley and the Todra Gorge are amazing and unique locations.
If, on the other hand, you want to dedicate a few days less to the excursion, visiting Zagora is perhaps the only option that will offer you the opportunity to sleep a night in the desert in a "haima". Since, up to Ouarzazate, the path is the same as to reach Merzouga, also in this excursion important places are visited, such as Ait-Ben-Haddou, and the journey is equally interesting.
How are the excursions?
Seeing the desert should not be considered the only purpose of the trip and, as we said previously, one of the advantages of this excursion is that you see different landscapes and cross numerous places . We believe that the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is the best option for people who like to take the camel ride in Merzouga and go camping at Berber tents.
Once in the desert, you usually take a camel ride until you reach the campsite where you will spend the night in a haima (Berber tent). In the evening there is a typical dinner , often with musical accompaniment, which makes the moment of the meal even more special. Waking up and seeing the dunes is the most extraordinary moment of the trip.
At dawn we have breakfast and, unless the excursion is longer and we spend a day in the desert, we leave for the return journey.
How to visit the desert?
Since you need a 4x4 vehicle and, moreover, you can get lost in the desert, usually an excursion from Marrakech or Ouarzazate is booked .