Merzouga luxury Desert Camps — Local services in Caïdat de Taouz

We went in May and I highly recommend staying at the camp for 2 nights with private driver (as the journey is long). We wanted to stay both nights in the luxury 5 tents camp but only 1 night is available, hence we were transferred to the 15 tents camp on our second night.

We were fortunate to be able to experience both camps, the difference is small in terms of comfort (you shouldn't be expecting too much when experiencing life in desert). One notable point is that the Erg Chebbi camp (15 tents) is poorly lit, hence improving on lighting would be better.

I recommend booking directly with the company as Chaima from the booking department was always contactable and organised. Most of the details were provided promptly when asked.

On the actual day, our private guide, Amin was on time to pick us up. Amin was knowledgeable and was able to provide proper tips and introduction of all the places we were brought to. We made some changes to our itinerary and he was able to respond quickly to our requests and make sure we are able to visit the places we wanted to go enroute to the camp. Kudos to Amin who is very experienced (he was very alert to prevent hitting animals on the road) and I feel really safe in his car throughout the long journey. It is remarkable that he ensured everyone's safety despite the long drive.

On the first night of arrival, they knew we had a long journey (12 hours car ride) and advise us to take the camel ride to see the sunset on our second night. We were served drinks (separate charge) and dinner was good. One should be impressed with their ability to serve hot food in the middle of the desert.

On the second day, the breakfast was simple but filling, good to start the day. We have a half day tour to see nomads and Amin again was able to share a lot of things. It was a good experience. Lunch was provided at a restaurant before we have some time to do some activities (like buggy, quad rides, which we skipped).

One of the most valuable experience we had was when we went to see the sunset on a camel ride. While waiting for the sunset, the camel guides noticed that the sunset was no longer visible due to an incoming sand storm and usher us back to the camels to go back to the camp. Before we know it, we are caught in the sandstorm but the camel guides (who had to walk) made sure we arrive back to our camp safely. Their dedication is admirable and I truly thank them for their efforts.

The windy conditions continue and naturally the howling could be heard in the tents and the flapping of the tents was intense but we are safe in the tents. The reason why I say one has to go two days is because if one of the nights you do not get to see the sunset, at least you have another day.

In summary, I think the team has done 9/10. To make it 10/10, they have to brighten the Erg Chebbi tents and the other point which they could have improved on is the service staff. While the manager is well trained, the rest of the staff could be more personal...

We booked this camp at booking.com and joined their all activities. First, when you arrived and they would ask you stop a hotel site just off road. They will sent a guy to pick you up to their Merzouga base. When you are at this base site, Mohammed or Yousef will discuss with you for activities such as sunset camel riding, ATV ... I think the price was reasonable. There are several options from this base to camp site. 4x4 or Camel, I recommend 4x4 in and out. If you select sunset camel riding, they will arrange a short camel riding before sunset. It is worth to join this event because you will see real Sahara Desert. We really enjoyed Sunset Camel Riding event. Some of guys we stayed took camel riding from the base to the camp and it lasted ~ 2 hrs on camel. It was not fun to go that way. ATV was the second morning event. It took us from the Camp to the base and lasted about 1 hour. Dinner and breakfast were simple (chicken targin) but OK. I expected better since the camp is not far away from...

Actually, this is a 5 Star experience - nice camp, nice staff, nice tent etc. The food is OK, but not more than that. Camel (dromedary) rides were also great - different experience in sunset/sunrise. The sand dunes are “wow” and the colours in the sunset and sunrise are crazy beautiful.

So why only 4 stars? I have a little problem calling it a tour ‘into Sahara’? In that case, the Camp is 100 meters into Sahara - and the camel rides are maybe 1 km into the dunes. And when you reach the top of the biggest dunes, you can se light from hotels and camps almost surrounded you in the horizon line given the impresion of a ‘dessert island’. This is one of the first outpost of Sahara - its not sand from here to Sudan. However, dessert it is and the dunes...