10 Best Things To Do In Merzouga, Morocco - Updated 2023

1. Visit the curious Morocco National 4x4 Auto Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A small museum with just 30 off-roading, quirky vehicles on display, the Morocco National Automobile Museum (MNAM), also known as, Morocco National 4x4 Auto Museum, was built under the direction of Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan, to showcase a tiny part of his car collection. The remaining fleet is housed in a pyramid-shaped museum in Abu Dhabi. The Morocco National 4x4 Auto Museum lies on the edge of the Sahara Desert, just south of Merzouga. The place can be hard to find as there’s little to no information online about it, which makes it all the more intriguing. Don’t miss the double jeep that was made on purpose for the museum.

Morocco National 4x4 Auto Museum

Address: 13 N13, Merzouga, Morocco

2. Spend a night in a tent at Maison Chez Nous Merzouga

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A once-in-a-lifetime experience is offered by Maison Chez Nous Merzouga. Not far from Lake Dayet Srij, this magical place is made up of nine white tents. Guests appreciate the kind and attentive staff, as well as the candle-lit banquets laid out on low tables placed over long Persian carpets. In perfect Bedouin tradition, guests are invited to enjoy the conviviality of the experience while they listen to traditional songs and savor local specialties.

Maison Chez Nous Merzouga

Address: Ksar Merzouga, Boite Postale 75, Merzouga 52202 Morocco

3. Go on a daytrip to Merzouga Dunes and learn about the Berber Culture (from USD 185.0)

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A full day of adventure lies ahead of the eager visitor who will be in for a treat. When visiting a foreign country, it’s always a unique, enriching experience to mingle with the locals, and Viator has just the tour for you. You’ll be traveling across the giant Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga desert. Here, you’ll visit a Berber family home - a tent! - and try a delicious, traditional pizza cooked over the fire. All the while you’ll be learning about their livelihood and culture. The next stop will have you dancing and playing traditional instruments together with the inhabitants of Khamlia village. To conclude a splendid day, you’ll have the chance to admire the pink feathers of the flamingos moving in the sink across Lake Tamezguida (or Dayet Srij). What are you waiting for?

Merzouga Dunes and Berber Culture Private Day Trip with Lunch

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

6 reviews

from USD

185.0

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4. Take a camel trek tour of the desert

Camels, what can I say about them other than they are the best things to happen to desert trekking, especially in the olden days when 4x4 cars were not even an idea in anyone’s mind. Anyway, fast-track to our time and we get leisurely rides on camels while taking in the wonder that is the Moroccan desert. At Merzouga, you will have the opportunity to plan and set in motion a camel trek with an experienced guide which will lead you into the Moroccan desert. Your camel trek will depart from Merzouga for an overnight experience at Erg Chebbi dunes.

At the foot of Erg Chebbi, a little before darkness engulfs the surroundings, camp will be setup and a fire will be going. Enjoy your dinner while sharing stories and adventures, with Berber songs in the background. In tented accommodations, be blanketed by galactic Saharan stars as you nod off to slumber land. A little before the crack of dawn, you will climb up the Erg Chebbi dunes to have a breathtakingly spectacular view of the sun rising over the desert while eating your breakfast. A sort of an anti-climax, after breakfast, it is back on the camels and back to Merzouga.

Camel Trek Tour

Address: Ksar Merzouga, Province Errachidia, C.P 52202 Morocco

Website: Camel Trek Tour

5. Take a walking trek of the desert

Nobody needs to tell you that walking through the desert is just asking for trouble, big trouble. But if you will be doing it with an experienced guide who knows the route through the shifty sands, it can be an adventure not to be forgotten. If you have a day to spare on your Moroccan adventure, plan to have a guided walk to the desert.

Before the end of the day, you will get to a camp just on the foot of Erg Chebbi desert whereby after setting up camp, you can go up the dune for a spectacular sunset. Spend the night cozied up in a desert tent. In the morning, you will head back up the dune for the sunrise, an experience on its own, while having breakfast. After some time of taking pictures and enjoying the overall experience, you will walk back to the departing point.

Walking Trek

Address: Ksar Tiharien, Merzouga Erg Chebbi 52202, Er Rachidia, Morocco

Website: Walking Trek

6. Sandboarding in Merzouga

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Erg Chebbi dunes is always a flurry of activity being one of the main attractions in Merzouga. One such activity is the opportunity to sand board down the side of this dune. This thrilling activity has become a must-do for many people visiting Erg Chebbi. It is fun for both first timers and those that are acquainted with snowboarding and skiing.

You will be required to walk up the precipitous dune to reach the top, an arduous endeavour on its own. But the thrill you will get as you whiz down the dune makes up for all the sweat you broke climbing up. It is an unforgettable experience which has seen a few people going up two to three times to relive the experience.

Merzouga Desert Sandboarding

Address: Merzouga, Morocco

Website: Merzouga Desert Sandboarding

7. Mingle with the locals: tour the town and cool down at Galerie Laoun

Get lost in this small town while discovering its people, food, markets and all other characteristics that make it what it is. It is a quiet town with not so much hustle and bustle, that can be found in Casablanca or Marrakech. Do some local shopping in the little shops dotting the streets. After a run around the town, take yourself to Galerie Laoun, a gallery cum coffee shop. While here, check out the art on display which outlines the Berber culture and way of life. Enjoy some mint tea or coffee while chatting or reading away the time.

Merzouga City Tour

Address: Merzouga 52202, Morocco

Website: Merzouga City Tour

8. Sleep in a desert tent

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For the avid adventure seeker, get to spend a night cozied up in a tent while on an overnight stay at Erg Chebbi dunes at Ali & Sara’s Desert Palace. Their tents will feel like you are in a highly rated hotel room with their plush cushions, lavish interior and incredible comfort levels.

Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps

Address: Av. Hassan, Koutoubia center, 1er Etage, Bureau N°5, Morocco

Website: Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps

9. Savor the local dishes

If your adventure extends to trying out the local foods, then by all means, eat at one of the restaurants in the village like the Haven La Chance Desert Hotel, which is known for its great Berber cooking. If you opt for a more vegetarian dish, sashay over to Café Azul, whose menu is predominantly vegetarian with a few exceptions.

Haven La Chance Desert Hotel

Address: B.P. 17, Hassilabied, Merzouga 52202, Morocco

Website: Haven La Chance Desert Hotel

10. Jump into a 4x4 for a desert off-roading experience (from USD 55.0)

Merzouga is surrounded by quaint villages and great scenery which can be explored with the aid of 4x4s. Take a thrilling drive through the desert dunes spotted with black volcanic rocks, which get you to a few villages, on the route made famous by the Paris Dakar Rally. Stop over at El Khamlia village to mingle and possibly have some mint tea with the locals.

The 4x4 drive will get you to Rissani, a slightly bigger village where you will have lunch in one of the local restaurants that serve local foods including vegetarian dishes. Walk off the heavy lunch by visiting historical sites in Rissani, which will include a stopover at Sijilmassa ruins. You should note that you can make your experience a morning one or an afternoon one.

Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch

Duration: 5 to 7 hours

2 reviews

from USD

55.0

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A world of desert experiences

A small town with a line-up of activities to be had, Merzouga will have you planning another trip just to experience the desert again. Feel the sand slide through your toes or the thrill of wind and sand on your face as you sand board down the dunes that surround this wonderfully surprising town, or just enjoy the friendly hospitality from the locals.