Luxury adventures are increasingly popular in the travel world. And Morocco, one of the most fascinating destinations in North Africa, attracting millions of tourists every year, couldn’t escape the trend. Alongside culture, good food, tradition, the desert and breathtaking landscapes, an experience called desert glamping is gaining ground in Morocco. It’s a form of glamorous camping (hence the name, a blend of the two words), letting you stay in tented camps that offer travelers top-level comfort.
There isn’t a single traveler on my tours who doesn’t ask to spend at least one night in the Sahara Desert. So a luxury tented camp among the dunes was an experience I simply had to include. Every couple who chooses Morocco for their honeymoon asks for it, because it combines Berber authenticity, spectacular desert landscapes and the magic of sunrise and sunset over the dunes with the luxurious services of glamping.
Desert glamping: the best places
Below I’ll recommend the best places to experience the magic of glamping in the Moroccan desert, and of course I’ll give you some practical tips to make a glamping tour as dreamy and magical as possible.
Erg Chebbi: the golden wonder of Merzouga
Near the village of Merzouga, in southeastern Morocco, Erg Chebbi is probably the country’s most iconic desert. Its orange sand dunes can reach 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) and make a perfect backdrop for glamping. You’ll find tented camps of every category, from the most basic to luxury ones with suite tents, private bathrooms, igloo-style glass walls, Berber rugs and comfortable beds.
In this part of the desert you can enjoy many wonderful experiences, including a 4×4 tour of the dunes, a sunset camel ride and stargazing under the clear Saharan sky. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars to the sound of Gnawa music. If you wake up early the next morning, step out of your tent and watch the sun rise over the dunes with your bare feet in the sand.
Erg Chigaga: authentic adventure in M’Hamid El Ghizlane
Wilder and less touristy than Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga lies near M’Hamid El Ghizlane, about 60 km (37 miles) from Zagora. Getting there requires an off-road drive, but it’s precisely this relative remoteness that makes it perfect for anyone seeking a more isolated, authentic experience.
The tented camps here are often more intimate and wrapped in absolute silence, and during the day you can go trekking in the desert, take a traditional cooking class under a tent, visit nearby nomadic villages and relax around an evening campfire surrounded by traditional dancers and drummers.
Agafay: luxury on Marrakech’s doorstep
If you’re short on time for desert glamping or don’t want to face long journeys, the Agafay Desert is a perfect alternative. Just 45 minutes from Marrakech, it isn’t a true sand desert but a rocky, arid landscape that still offers that typical desert atmosphere. Here glamping becomes even more exclusive and luxurious, with tents featuring private pools, spas, room service and gourmet restaurants. In fact, it’s the top choice for couples on their honeymoon in Morocco, as well as for romantic getaways full of desert wellness experiences, quad or horseback rides, exclusive parties and sunset dinners.
Desert glamping: how to plan and what to know
If you want to enjoy a luxury glamping experience in the Moroccan desert in the most pleasant, relaxing way, I recommend the months from October to April, when temperatures are milder and skies clearer, so you won’t miss out on the starry sky over the world’s most famous expanse of sand. In Merzouga and Chigaga especially, summer can be very hot and spoil the experience, even though some camps have a few air-conditioned tents.
When you book one of my tours, transport with a private driver is included, taking you from Marrakech or Fez to Erg Chebbi, to Erg Chigaga (a bit more remote and reachable by 4×4 from Zagora), or to Agafay, which is easier to reach, even by ordinary car.
If you’re used to camping, sleeping in a luxury tent in the Moroccan desert will be an intense experience, completely different from anything before. If you’ve never been camping at all, get ready for a trip in comfort and luxury you won’t find at any traditional campsite.
In spacious tents with private bathrooms, surrounded by the absolute silence of the desert, you’ll connect with Berber traditions and genuine hospitality for a pleasant, slow-paced adventure in the heart of the Sahara. The mix of nature, culture and comfort that desert glamping offers is one of the most authentic and fascinating ways to discover Morocco from a privileged point of view.
Lisa
