email   twitter   instagram
Travel to Morocco with Feel Morocco

The Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert

The Sahara desert, also called simply the Sahara, is the largest hot desert region on the planet, with an area of ​​nearly 4 million square miles (9 million km2).

It occupies most of North Africa and its edges are hard to define, covering the entire African coast from east to west with the Sahel belt being its southern border. At its northern end its reaches towards the Mediterranean on the Egyptian side and ends about 300 miles (500 km) from the Moroccan Mediterranean coast.

Why the Sahara?

A fond memory for many travelers is seeing and crossing the sand dunes, enjoying a starry sky and sleeping in a tent in the desert. But to summarize the Sahara in that experience would be to reduce an entire world to a striking postcard.

Starting with its geographical wealth and contrasts, with the hamada or stony outcroppings which are actually more common than the sandy desert (erg). Living lakes that attract all kinds of fauna sharing space with other dried up lakes with mirages as a distant backdrop. A microcosm where oasis coexist with mountain ranges and gravel plains.

Equally important is its culture, a synthesis of African and Berber influences with manifestations in the fields of music, dance and writing.

But if it stands out for something, it’s for its people. Desert dwellers are used to living in a harsh environment with the necessary support of their community. They firmly value cooperation, coexistence and generosity. They have a deep knowledge and love of their environment, great physical and psychological toughness and a concept of time detached from conventions and linked to memorable moments.

Just as the landscape of the dunes fills our eyes, the attitude of the desert people permeates our minds.

General information

Tuaregs in Western Sahara, Morocco

Tuaregs, Nomads of the Desert
Learn about the origin, customs and current way of life of the fascinating Tuareg people, also known as the nomads of the desert.

Jaimas among the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi, the largest hot desert in the world

A Night in the Desert
Get the best tips on how to fully enjoy the unforgettable experience of sleeping in the Sahara desert in Berber tents.

Kasbah in Sahara, largest desert in the world

The Route of the Thousand Kasbahs
This tour is one of the country’s greatest attractions and the best way to discover the fortresses that were so important in the Transaharian trade.

Places of Interest

Desert Sahara of Erg Chebbi in Morocco

Erg Chebbi / Merzouga
Information on what to see and do in and around Erg Chebbi, also called the Merzouga desert.

Erg Chigaga is the other great erg of the Moroccan Sahara desert

Erg Chigaga
The Erg Chigaga desert is the other great erg of the Moroccan Sahara, and is considered by many to be a preferable alternative to Erg Chebbi.

Nearby

Ouarzazate is a stop for anyone who travels to the Sahara desert

Ouarzazate
Although it’s a stop for everyone who travels to the desert, it usually goes unnoticed. Get to know the origin of Ouarzazate and all its spaces of interest.

Ait Ben Haddou at the gates of the Sahara desert in Morocco

Aït Ben Haddou
Near the Sahara is the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, the most iconic in the country and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Rissani in the vicinity of the Western Sahara desert

Rissani
Welcoming us at the threshold of the Erg Chebbi desert is Rissani: probably one of the most authentic cities in Morocco.

Tamegroute is at the gates of the Western Sahara desert

Tamegroute
At the gates of the Erg Chigaga desert is Tamegroute, famous for its religious identity, its pottery tradition and its buried ksar.

Climate

The climate of the Sahara is characterized by having little rainfall, hot days and cool nights. The biggest differences are in summer, when it’s hotter and drier and has a greater temperature difference between day and night. In winter, it enjoys milder temperatures during the day but is much colder at night.

In one way or another, and regardless of when you decide to travel, the Sahara is an unpredictable environment where it’s always a good idea to take certain precautions, such as wearing sunglasses and sunscreen, breathable and comfortable clothing, a cap and a scarf to protect you from the sun and wind and sturdy and ankle-covering footwear. For the night it’s a good idea to bring some warm clothing, a warm hat and a sleeping bag.

For more information, as well as month-to-month temperatures and a forecast for the next few days, you can check out the following link: Climate in the Sahara.

Getting There

There are multiple ways to visit the Sahara. It’s common to do it from Egypt, Tunisia or Niger, although the most common option is Morocco.

The best option is to take the eight-hour road trip from Marrakech or the seven-hour road trip from Fez.

In organized excursions from Marrakech, the trip out to the desert takes two days, spending the first day in Boulmane Dades, and the return takes just one day. In addition to enjoying the beauty of the High Atlas Mountains dotted with small Berber villages, other places that you can visit are Aït Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses or the Gorges of Todra.

If you start in Fez, both the outward and return journeys take one day, passing through Ifrane, Azrou or the Ziz Valley.

Other options are the public bus, Supratours being the best known company, or hiring a private transport service. The second option has the advantage of having a more personalized and more leisurely itinerary, for example, from Merzouga to Marrakech in two days.

If you like it,
share it!

If you like it, share it!

Photo Gallery

Morocco Tours