What Is the Desert in Morocco Called? All of Morocco’s Deserts and the Best One to Visit
“Which desert is in Morocco?” “What are the deserts called?” “Which one should I visit?” These are three of the questions we hear most from travellers, so we have answered all of them in one place. We are a local Berber family from Merzouga, at the edge of the Sahara, and the desert has been our home all our lives.
What Is the Desert in Morocco Called?
The desert in Morocco is the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. It covers the south and southeast of the country, beyond the Atlas Mountains. Within the Moroccan Sahara there are several named areas, and the famous sand dune seas are called ergs. The best-known are Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and Erg Chigaga near M’Hamid El Ghizlane.
Want the bigger picture? Read our guide Where Is the Sahara Desert?
Desert Words You Will Hear in Morocco
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sahara | From the Arabic word for “desert” |
| Erg | A sea of sand dunes |
| Hamada | A flat, rocky desert plateau |
| Reg | A gravel plain |
| Oued (wadi) | A dry riverbed that can flood after rain |
| Oasis | Palm groves around a water source |
Most of the Moroccan Sahara is actually hamada (rock) and reg (gravel). The sand dune seas are only a small part, which is why they feel so spectacular when you reach them.
What Deserts Are There in Morocco?
Here are the main desert areas that travellers can visit in Morocco.
1. Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)
Morocco’s most famous dune sea, in the southeast near the village of Merzouga. Golden dunes rise up to around 150 metres, the highest you can easily reach in the country. It is accessible by paved road and offers everything from camel rides and desert camps to quads, buggies and 4×4 tours.
2. Erg Chigaga (M’Hamid El Ghizlane)
A larger, wilder dune field at the end of the Draa Valley. It can only be reached by 4×4 on desert tracks, so it is quieter and more remote than Erg Chebbi, and takes longer to get to.
3. The Dunes of Zagora and the Draa Valley
Closer to Marrakech, Zagora is the gateway to the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest palm grove. Its dunes are small compared with Erg Chebbi, but it suits travellers with only two days.
4. Ouzina
South of Merzouga, the Ouzina area combines smaller dunes, wide plains and almost no other visitors. It is perfect for an adventurous night far from the crowds, like our 2 day jeep tour with a night in the Ouzina desert.
5. The Agafay Desert (Near Marrakech)
About an hour from Marrakech, Agafay is a stony desert of rolling hills with views of the Atlas. It is pleasant for an evening out, but it has no sand dunes and is not part of the Sahara’s dune seas.
6. The Atlantic Desert Coast
In the far south, the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean around Dakhla, known for kitesurfing and empty landscapes where dunes and sea come together.
Morocco’s Deserts Compared
| Desert | Type | Dunes | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) | Sand sea | Very tall, golden | Paved road to the village | The classic Sahara experience |
| Erg Chigaga | Sand sea | Tall, widespread | 4×4 only | Remoteness and solitude |
| Zagora | Small dunes and palm valley | Small | Paved road | Short trips from Marrakech |
| Ouzina | Dunes and plains | Medium | 4×4 from Merzouga | Wild camping, few visitors |
| Agafay | Stony desert | None | 1 hour from Marrakech | An evening near the city |
What Is the Best Desert to Visit in Morocco?
For most travellers, the best desert to visit in Morocco is Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. It has the tallest and most beautiful dunes you can easily reach, a huge choice of activities and camps, and a welcoming local community. It is the Sahara you have seen in photos.
That said, the “best” desert depends on your trip:
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the iconic golden dunes | Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) |
| Want adventure: quads, buggies, 4×4 | Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) |
| Only have 2 days from Marrakech | Zagora |
| Want total solitude and have time | Erg Chigaga or Ouzina |
| Only have one evening in Marrakech | Agafay (but no sand dunes) |
Still unsure? Read our honest guide Is Merzouga Desert Worth It?
How to Visit the Moroccan Sahara
- From Marrakech: a 2 to 3 day road trip over the High Atlas to Merzouga.
- From Fes: about a day’s drive through the Middle Atlas.
- By plane: fly to Errachidia, about 2 hours from Merzouga.
Once you are here, we recommend at least one night in the dunes, and two if you can. Discover all the things to do in the Moroccan desert, or book a classic 2 nights in Merzouga desert.
Best Time to Visit Morocco’s Deserts
October to April is the most comfortable period, with warm days and cool to cold nights. Summer days are very hot, so plan activities for sunrise and sunset. Winter nights can approach freezing, so pack warm layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the desert in Morocco?
The Sahara. Its most famous dune fields in Morocco are Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga.
How many deserts are there in Morocco?
Technically there is one desert, the Sahara, with several distinct areas: the dune seas of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, Zagora and the Draa Valley, Ouzina, the Atlantic desert coast, plus the stony Agafay desert near Marrakech.
Which Moroccan desert has the biggest dunes?
Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga both have tall dunes. Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, is the easiest place to see dunes of around 150 metres.
Is Agafay part of the Sahara?
Agafay is a stony desert near Marrakech, north of the Atlas. It has no sand dunes and is not part of the Saharan dune seas.
Discover the Sahara With a Local Family
We are a Berber family from Merzouga who worked for years as camel guides before creating our own company. We know every dune of Erg Chebbi and would love to show you the real Sahara, at fair prices and with safety first. Contact us or send us a message on WhatsApp to plan your trip.