Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camps — Local services in Caïdat de Taouz

Contrary to expectations of vast, endless stretches of the Sahara, the Merzouga Desert is a relatively small area of sand dunes. This section of the desert is heavily touristic, with an overwhelming number of visitors on a daily basis. There are countless identical camping sites set up to accommodate the influx of tourists, which diminishes the natural beauty and serenity one might expect. The presence of so many tourists means that activities are highly scheduled and regimented, leaving little room for personal exploration or a genuine connection with the environment. I would encourage potential visitors to look up the Merzouga Desert on google maps to get a sense of its actual size and the surrounding infrastructure.

The desert experience is heavily commodified, with activities like sandboarding and watching the sunset being rushed to fit into a tight schedule. Instead of a tranquil desert experience, you are met with throngs of people all participating in the same activities, making it challenging to appreciate the unique beauty of the desert. The sounds of cars and bustling activity are constant reminders of the desert's proximity to civilisation, detracting from the starry night that one might hope to enjoy.

Disappointing Aspects: Camel Treatment

One of the low points of the tour was the camel ride, which left us feeling uncomfortable and concerned about animal welfare. The camels appeared to be in poor condition, displaying open wounds and being fitted with nasal rings for control. My camel was visibly distressed, screaming with a torn nostril and neck injuries from the ropes, and it screamed when I mounted. Despite expressing my concerns to the guide, he simply dismissed them, insisting that it was "no problem" and not allowing us to change camels, despite there being others which were not in that much pain. This treatment of the animals just felt wrong, unethical and highlighted the prioritisation of mass tourism over animal welfare. Others in our group...

This is one of the most meticulously crafted, authentic, mesmerizing experiences I have ever been on. The attention to detail, the care, comfort, and thoughtfulness that the owner places into every detail is astonishing. The owner borrows from a lifetime of nomadic experiences, and mixes them with carefully constructed modern conveniences, comfort, and safety, that offers an experience that never sacrifices authenticity for convenience. A separate article/review can be written solely on the exquisite food and masterful preparation of Moroccan specialties by a local chef. A note: I read a less than stellar review below, and I would have to say that the arrogance is shocking - this is still a true desert area with little civilization nearby. That is part of the beauty and authenticity of the experience. Mixing that with convenience is a delicate art and is masterfully achieved by the camp owners. If you cannot handle the real desert, perhaps a trip to Aladin's playground in Disneyland is better...

This was my first international solo trip and so i was quite sceptical about everything. Especially the desert trek had to be perfect because the Sahara experience is once in a lifetime experience. That being said, i m glad that i found Said on Airbnb. He was really friendly, very responsive, offered and arranged great hospitality throughout the trip. My trip was with some Mexicans and Chilean grp and it was just an awesome experience. From visiting Berber villages, Game of Thrones shooting spot, to the night camping at Sahara, it cannot be put to words. I chose the 3 day 2 night trip to Merzouga than the 2 day 1 night to Zagora because the Merzouga is far deeper into Sahara while Zagora is a rocky desert and not perfect for desert trekking. My recommendation would be to try and take out 1 extra day of your schedule and do that Merzouga trip than the Zagora. But u can talk to Said about these thing. He would clear it...