"Sahara Zeina" Merzouga by mafi_moya

Merzouga Travel Guide: 181 reviews and 600 photos

I'm sure that's not the right spelling but Sahara Zeina is apparently Berber for 'The Sahara is nice'. Which is a bit of an understatement really!!

The tiny village of Merzouga would be unheard of if it weren't for Erg Chebbi - a series of huge drifting sand dunes several hundred metres high which stretch for about 20 kilometres to the Algerian border, where it meets up with other Ergs and becomes the great Sahara desert. I'm sure the heart of the Sahara is far more impressive and I'm extremely jealous of anyone who's been there (someday soon, insha'allah!), but for the moment Merzouga is a great taster.

Approaching Erg Chebbi

You approach the Erg over a totally flat plateau of stony hammada desert, from which the dunes emerge almost as though the Moroccan Tourist Board stole some sand from Algeria and secretly dumped it here in the middle of the night. Driving at speed over the hammada the dust gets all down your throat and for a moment the taste transported me back to the vast deserts of Sudan. But the huge dunes at Merzouga are far more dramatic and spectacular, if not quite so beautifully remote and empty.

Part of the appeal of the desert is its cruel isolation and emptiness (it is called a desert after all!) - so sharing it with hundreds of daytrippers is not exactly ideal! Fortunately the dunes are immense and large enough to escape other tourists and pretend at least momentarily that you're really on your own in the middle of the desert. You can go off and climb them by foot or you can hire camels, guides or even skis and snowboards. Naturally sunset and sunrise are the most spectacular sights as the dunes gradually change colours from the pale sandy yellow to a fierce, burning red. Night-time, when the desert is pitch-black and freezing cold, offers a different but equally spectacular view - lying on the cold sand and staring up at the millions of stars sprinkled over the sky. It's possible to camp out at night and I'd definitely recommend it.

Last visit to Merzouga: Jan 2004
Intro Updated Jul 12, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (5)

Early morning desert - here comes the sun! - Merzouga

Frostbite! Warnings Or Dangers (1)

It doesn't matter how many people tell you that the desert is freezing at night, it still takes you by surprise when you... more travel advice

Desert nights Things to Do (3)

The desert is stunningly beautiful in daytime, but I love it just as much at night. You can't see anything (hardly even... more travel advice

A camel herd in search of tourists - Merzouga

Camel treks Things to Do (3)

It's virtually compulsory that any tourist in Merzouga must, I repeat must, take a camel ride at some point. I love... more travel advice

There's a lake here... honest - Merzouga

A mirage? Things to Do (3)

A must-see activity that I didn't manage to see. When I visited in late January the desert was, as you'd expect, bone... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Take your pick

Been to Merzouga?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 1, 2004

8 photos

More Merzouga pics

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (5)

Doctor38 Sep 27, 2007 at 11:30 AM Report Abuse

I just returned from Morocco and I loved it. I am planning my next visit which will be in the Atlas and the south. I like you Merzoqa and Tinerhir pages. Ramadhan Kareem
angiebabe Jan 3, 2007 at 6:52 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful. Great place eh!
hindu1936 Apr 8, 2006 at 9:56 PM Report Abuse

great picture, great idea and something we will do. thanks
JLBG Sep 4, 2004 at 12:52 PM Report Abuse

To walk a week in the desert, sleep under the sky (no tent !) is an unforgettable experience. You don't need a tent, even at Christmas (I did it twice) but a regular sleeping bag is not enough and you need one designed for use in the mountains.
conny_bazen Mar 15, 2004 at 6:33 AM Report Abuse

Is there something more beautiful than sleeping under the stars? Great pictures and tips! And I do know that camels can run very fast :-))