Morocco Drâa-Tafilalet

Merzouga

A small village in southeastern Morocco, known for its proximity to vast dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert.

Tips from the community

Absolute mind-boggling madness is the best way to describe the Sahara Desert’s obscenely sprawling sand dunes. I found myself jittery with excitement about one of the simplest things: a crap-ton of sand. Who wouldn’t be? The first sights of Erg Chebbi dunes are undeniably unlike anything else. Ergs, by the way, are massive seas of dunes. Think oceans, but sand. Take your pick between glamping, riding a camel (if you’re into that), or aimlessly walking as far as you can dune after dune, because you can, damn it. Most photos of travelers on their camel rides look euphoric, but in true Instagram vs. Reality fashion, the jaunts are quite short, follow a route where you can see the flatlands, and are lined with a lot of sun-hardened camel poop. Choose wisely…I had way more fun exploring solo by foot.

sarahlempa 5 years ago

As the gateway to the mighty Sahara Desert, the small village of Merzouga draws a considerable amount of attention from travelers in Morocco. It’s home to Erg Chebbi — a particular sprawl of sand dunes that lies near the Algerian border. These undulating mountains of sand are rich in color, attracting both migratory birds and also camel-riding adventurers who are keen to try out the desert life for a day or two. It’s a monumental sight.

sarahlempa 4 years ago

Merzouga Guides

  • Coolest Places to Go Camping

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Sandy deserts, cool mountain air, rocky coastlines with picture-perfect views, no matter what you are seeking we have found the best campsite for you. Across the globe there are endless awe-inspiring destinations to immerse yourself in nature, we have selected some of our favorite locations for your next adventure. Let's explore what this amazing earth has to offer and live off the beaten path at these cool camping destinations.
  • Orange Colored Places Around the World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Get lost in vibrant tangerine hues across the world, with these dynamic orange-colored destinations.
  • The Most Colorful Places Around the World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Discover some of the most otherworldly and ethereal landscapes gleaming in heavy pigments, from alkaline red lakes to banana-colored volcanic landscapes. For Pride month we wanted to select the most vibrant destinations across the planet in every shade of ROYGBIV to create the ultimate rainbow-themed bucket list. Let your rainbow flags fly this summer while taking a look at some of the most colorful places on earth. Happy Pride Seekers!

Merzouga Articles

  • The Most Unusual Places to Sleep, According to 12 Travel Experts

    Years of traveling paints a pretty clear picture of what a “normal” hotel experience is, but these travelers stepped (way) outside the box. Waking up to elephants outside of your window in South Africa, hostels reimagined from *actual* forts on remote islands off the coast of France, hotels sculpted entirely of ice in Quebec (brrr), […]

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  • 11 Orange Places You Need to Add to Your Bucket List

    Dreamsicle-colored deserts (not desserts, for once) cover our planet…and they’re not the only show-stopping orange places around the globe. Orange festivals, orange cities, orange monuments —whether you prefer to sweat your way through arid ginger-scapes or dance through a valley of delicate flowers, you’ll have ample opportunity for both. Check out these 11 orange travel […]

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  • Marrakech to the Sahara: 6 Must-See Spots Along the Drive

    Say sayonara to gas station hot dogs, creepy rest stops, and boring tumbleweed-filled plains. You’re free of those now. We’ve traded them for ancient villages carved right into cliffs and valleys that will make you mutter holy sh*t under your breath. Staggeringly magnificent mountain ridges and sporadic film sets are just two of the contrasting […]

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