5 Excursions to the Zagora Desert in Morocco from Marrakech

Zagora is the name given to the city that serves as the gateway to the largest desert in all of Morocco: the Erg Chigaga Desert. Because of its proximity, many people call Erg Chigaga with the name of Zagora desert. On a tourist level, it is a less exploited destination than Erg Chebbi, but an alternative with extraordinary potential that you should consider adding to the list of things to do during your trip to Marrakech.

A sleeping excursion in the Moroccan desert is a fascinating proposition on your visit to the Zagora desert. At the foot of the dunes are installed luxury camps that promise guests the experience of living a night in the desert in the style of The Thousand and One Nights.

Accommodation

Most camps have a similar layout: in the center is a lounge where you can relax on comfortable mattresses. Some include open tents with chairs, hammocks, puffs and sofas. The sleeping area will be composed of several private tents where the bedrooms are located, inside which you will find different amenities: king size beds, carpets, night tables, mirrors and armchairs.

In most camps the bathrooms will include a toilet, dressing room and laundry area. However, due to water shortages in some cases only buckets of water will be provided for personal hygiene. Don't forget to check in detail all the facilities that the excursions offer, as well as those that are not included in the package, so that you can make a realistic travel budget.

Useful information

• Price: You will find varied prices ranging from 100 € to 230 € per person. This price usually includes not only an overnight stay in the desert but also transportation to and from Marrakech, the accompaniment of a professional guide, dinner and breakfast.
• Duration of the excursion: Usually two days, as the excursions depart from Marrakech the first day in the morning and arrive the next day in the afternoon. The total duration will depend on the activities in the desert in addition to the overnight camping.

To fully experience the Zagora desert, you should plan a camel ride in the dunes, a perfect way to enjoy the unique colors of the sunset on Moroccan soil.

The Tinfou Dunes, located in Erg Chigaga, are famous for their healing qualities. In fact, the Berber peoples claim that they are able to cure diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. You can ask your guide to bury your body under the sand for a spa-like experience.

Useful information

• Price: The average price of this excursion is 20 € to 40 € per trip and per person.
• Duration of the excursion: Varies depending on the tour you hire, with tours from 1 hour to a maximum of 3 hours including several stops.

You will have the opportunity to explore the Sahara desert to the oasis of M'Hamid aboard a 4x4, a very original adventure.

M'Hamid is the last great Oasis of the desert and a historical place very dear to the locals. It was also known by the name of Bounou and once housed several Berber tribes from the south (Ait Atta, Drawa and Hassani). Legend has it that caravans gathered here before setting out on their journeys to Timbuktu.

In addition to enjoying the exciting journey through the desert in a motor vehicle and the beautiful scenery of the Oasis, you can also enjoy a leisurely lunch in the desert under fantastic palm trees.

Useful information

• Price: An excursion to the Zagora desert by 4X4 with a visit to the Oasis of M'Hamid usually costs on average 70 € or more.
• Duration of the excursion: It usually lasts one day, departing early in the morning until sunset.

Explore one of the most popular tourist spots in Zagora desert excursions by visiting the Draâ Valley. Originally known as the Valley of Olives until the 19th century, this is a settlement of great historical value that for long periods provided accommodation for desert caravans. Take the time to appreciate the beauty of the place paying special attention to:

• The beautiful Draâ Valley Palm Grove: Gardens filled with date palms stretch for miles between the city and the river that makes up the Draâ Valley. More than 30 varieties of dates grow in this region and are harvested every year from September to November. The palms of this valley proved, in addition to offering shade and shelter to all who need it, to be a highly versatile commodity option used to make baskets, leaf mats and other utensils.
• The Draâ River itself: In this area you will find the longest river in Morocco flowing from the High Atlas Mountains to the southeast. It stretches for 1,100 km, passes through Zagora and stops for proper management at a dam located in Ouarzazate. Towards the southern area and during the summer, the river is usually full of water, so it is typical to see local children swimming and enjoying its waters.

Useful information about the river

• Price: The guided excursions to the Draa Valley have a cost of 135 € approximately.
• Duration of the excursion: This type of excursion has a duration of 10 hours.

Kasbah is the Arabic term that refers to both citadels and fortifications in a very broad sense of the word. Aït Benhaddou Kasbahs is an impressive architectural construction located in the city of Ouarzazate that became world famous in 1962 when it debuted in the British film Lawrence of Arabia.

On your tour of Zagora you may hear more than once the term "see Ouarzazate and die", a sentiment often expressed by Moroccans that allows them to verbalize their respect and admiration for this magical city.

Where is Ouarzazate located?

Ouarzazate is the main Berber city in the south and is world famous for its spectacular sunsets and its mountainous and desert landscapes. On a trip from Zagora the city is 2.5 hours by road. On a trip from Marrakech it is 4 hours by car.

The history of the city is also fascinating, as it was once a crossing point for African traders seeking to reach the cities of northern Morocco and Europe.

Useful information

• Price: This excursion costs from 35 €.
• Duration of the excursion: It has a duration of 12 hours from Marrakech.

There are several ways to get to the Zagora desert:

• Organized tours from Marrakech: The best alternative is an organized tour from Marrakech to Zagora. It includes a tour fully managed by expert guides who will take you through the most interesting points and will take care of your safety and well-being at all times.

• Rent a private vehicle in Marrakech: Recommended if you have experience on the route and want to go at your own pace making stops at points of your choice. You should consider in your travel budget the cost of fuel and tolls.

• By plane: If you travel from Marrakech you can not fly directly to Zagora, so a popular option is to fly to Ouarzazate and then make a road section of 2.5 hours.

• By bus: This is a long and complex trip that can be exhausting and I do not recommend it at all if it is your first time in the country.

• Excellent to avoid crowds: It is ideal to avoid crowds in times of high tourist influx. Very intimate and romantic.
• Ideal to avoid long trips: If you go to the desert from the city of Marrakech, Erg Chigaga offers the advantage of being able to make a trip to the desert in just 2 days, with a maximum time of 8 hours of road including interesting stops.

• Fewer accommodation options: Compared to Erg Chebbi you will find fewer desert camps and less accommodation alternatives. However, the existing offers are just as comfortable and luxurious.
• The dunes: In my opinion, the biggest disadvantage is that the dunes of Erg Chigaga, having less sand accumulation and consequently less height, are less impressive.

The best time of the year to visit the Zagora desert in Morocco is either in the months around May or around October. In both periods the daytime temperatures are quite mild and the days are less hot.

During the Saharan winter months, temperatures at night often drop below freezing. If you are a person accustomed to the cold and can handle such scenarios, you might consider visiting the desert in winter. In the summer months the desert heat is particularly difficult to handle, with temperatures averaging around 45 degrees Celsius. In fact, some tours are forced to close for a couple of weeks during the months of July and September.

Generally speaking, remember that Moroccans are a conservative culture. Try to dress according to their customs so as not to offend them. During excursions in the desert wear cotton or linen clothing that is breathable. It is also useful to bring hats, caps and sunglasses, as well as a scarf to protect your face.

During the night temperatures are very cold so try to pack warm clothes and socks in your suitcase. Other useful accessories are: a basic first aid kit, sunscreen, portable charger (you can find some that charge with sunlight), fresh water and a high protein snack.

Here is a post with suggestions on what to do during your trip to Marrakech and also some tips based on experience that could make your trip more comfortable and fun.

• In Morocco prices are rarely fixed so on your trip you will have to put into practice your bargaining skills.
• Try to agree on cab fares in advance before getting into the vehicle. In this city they do not have a taximeter and you could end up paying more than expected if you do not negotiate the fare with the driver.
• If you are looking for cheap food in destinations like Zagora, opt for street food instead of a casual restaurant. Besides being cheaper it is usually freshly made and 100% authentic Moroccan food.
• A sleeping tour in the Moroccan desert is on the list of the most fascinating activities you could do on your visit to the Zagora desert.
• When choosing a desert tour or any other activity research in detail what is included and what is not before opting for the cheapest price on the list. On several occasions I have seen slightly more expensive tours that include really interesting add-ons such as food and transportation to the hotel so at the end of the day they end up being cheaper for the traveler.

If your stay in Morocco is long enough or you would simply like to know other alternative excursions to fabulous Moroccan deserts, here is a list of desert destinations that might be of interest to you.

• Merzouga desert tours in Morocco
• Agafay Desert Tours from Marrakech