Visitors to Marrakech often wonder which desert to choose. Agafay, Zagora and Merzouga are very different experiences: here is how to decide.
The Agafay Desert, near Marrakech
Agafay is a stony desert about 40 minutes from Marrakech: perfect if you are short on time. It has no big sand dunes, but an arid, hilly landscape with views of the Atlas. Here you can:
- Ride a camel, the classic desert activity.
- Drive a buggy or quad, or take a 4×4 trip along the tracks.
- Sleep in a desert camp: the tents are furnished like hotel rooms and a night under the stars is beautiful.
The Merzouga Desert
If you picture the desert as a sea of dunes, head to Merzouga, in south-eastern Morocco near the Algerian border. This is where you find Erg Chebbi, around 22 km long and 5 km wide, with dunes up to 150 metres high. The village, with its mud-brick houses, has a charm of its own.
Merzouga is not a day trip like Agafay: from Marrakech or Fes you need at least 3 days, ideally 4 or 5, but the journey crosses some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
The Zagora Desert
The Zagora desert, in the Draa Valley, is halfway between Agafay and Merzouga: rockier than Merzouga but with some dunes suitable for camel rides. It is quieter and can be reached from Marrakech on a two-day tour. Further south lie the larger, more remote dunes of Erg Chegaga.
So which one?
- Half a day or one night: Agafay.
- Two days: Zagora.
- Three days or more, and the most spectacular dunes: Merzouga.
See our 2-day Zagora desert trip and our tours from Marrakech to Merzouga.
More about Merzouga on Wikipedia.
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