Your Sahara Desert Trek Morocco Travel Guide

 If you’re thinking about booking a Sahara Desert Trek Morocco then you may be wondering what you need to know beforehand?

Well, the first thing to know is that the Sahara will probably surprise you many times, and not least with its size! Did you know, for example, that the Sahara Desert is roughly the size of the United States and it occupies 10 African countries? Also, the Sahara Desert is not always hot – it has been known to snow there! And last, but not least, it is mostly stony plateau rather than sand.

So, before you set of for our luxury camp Morocco why not check out our Sahara Desert travel guide?

What does a visit to the Sahara Desert entail?

Most people think that the Sahara Desert is close to Marrakesh, and are surprised to find out its not! It takes a bit of time to get to the Desert from civilisation – it’s a long drive to just get to the gateway towns that sit at the edge of the Desert. The Erg Chebbi Dunes, for example, are 600km away from Marrakesh, and Zagora is 300km.

Driving to Zagora from Fez can take up to two days, if you chose to make the most of it and explore some of the beautiful villages along the route. Some of the most pleasant places to stop include:

• Ait Benhaddou – a historic fortified village along a former caravan route
• Dades Gorges – a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the Dades river
• Todgha Gorge – a series of limestone river canyons
• Valley of Roses – 4000 wild flowers are collected by local women here every April and May

When is the best time to visit the Sahara Desert?

For the most comfortable temperatures when you visit the Sahara Desert, you will want to go in the Spring or Autumn. That way you will avoid the high heat of the summer, as well as the cold temperatures at night that you experience in December and January. Sandstorms are more frequent between January and May as well.

Temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees in the Summer, and it tends to be a dry heat which is often more tolerable that a humid heat but it is best to protect your skin and eyes from the sun if you are out in the day during this time.

What can I do in the Sahara Desert?

Riding camels and stargazing at night are two of the more well-known Sahara Desert activities, but there are lots of other things to keep you occupied:

• Have a spa day. Yes, you read that right! Local Berber’s from Merzouga swear by the healing properties of the sand and they are eager to share this knowledge with visitors to the region. They will dig a large hole in the sand for you to lie in, for 30 minutes – and they will provide you with water too of course! This sand bath is meant to be excellent for aching limbs and muscles and even some skin diseases too
• Sand Surfing. Who needs an ocean to surf in? Not visitors to the Sahara Desert! You can just grab a sand/snow board or sand ski and ride the sandy dunes. There is one big difference to snow skiing though – there are no ski lifts! So, once you get to the bottom of the dune, you will have to climb right back up it again for your next go
• Wildlife spotting. Among the mammals that live in the Sahara are gerbils, cape Hare, Barbary sheep, dama deer, spotted hyena, and the slender mongoose. If you are a bird watcher then make sure to take your binoculars as you may spot guinea fowl, desert eagle owls, and sand larks.
• Ride a quad bike. If thrills and spills are more your thing, then why not rent a quad bike and explore the dunes for an hour or two? You may even discover some palm groves when you are zooming around the golden landscape on four wheels
• Watch the sunset (Or sunrise). We all love a good sunset (or sunrise) – they tend to be beautiful whichever part of the world you are in. However, in the Sahara Desert they are simply breath-taking. In a similar way to stargazing, they are a perfect way to enjoy the peace and quiet of the area while watching the stunning colours paint the sand. A perfect way to end (or start) the day.

What do I need to pack for visiting the Sahara Desert?

While the clothes and accessories you have packed for your trip to Morocco will probably do you just as well in the desert, there are some essentials that you will need to make sure you bring – including:

• A windbreaker or light jacket – essential for getting through the cooler nights
• Comfortable jeans or long trousers – to protect your legs from the camels’ fur if you decide to go riding
• Desert appropriate shoes, such as sports sandals, trainers or hiking boots
• A hat and headscarf to block the sun and protect your neck
• Sunscreen, sun lip care stick and head and scalp protection as well
• A camera or smartphone to capture your special Sahara Desert memories
• A torch to use at night

Do I need to wear anything in particular to visit the Sahara Desert?

It is important to keep in mind that Morocco is a religious country and is very conservative so you will need to be mindful of your clothing sometimes, especially in some of the more rural areas. The Moroccans consider the shoulders, arms and everything above the knees as private on a woman and on men – so these areas should be covered at all times.

If all this has wet your appetite to find out more about the Sahara Desert and the rest of Morocco then why not get in touch with Hasina Morocco Tours to book one of our morocco private tours today?