Desert Activities

Merzouga is a town in southeast Morocco. Not too far from the Algerian Borders, it is famous for the sand dunes as an extension of the Sahara Desert. Thanks to its golden sand dunes, marvelous desert views, endless activities, and strategic location. It is one of the best tourist attractions in the country.

In order to discover the hidden secrets of the town and villages nearby, we offer a 4wd vehicle. It’s an adventurous tour around the dunes of Erg-Chebbi and a great opportunity to see different desert kinds. It also helps us to reach the nomadic families that live on the edges of the dunes.

Put on his special desert outfit, the driver provides you with an overview of the tour before it starts. Supplied with water and necessary stuff, you start bashing the dunes on different desert off-roads.

Initially, we visit the villages next to Merzouga on the main way, including Hassi Labied and Khamlia. Hassi Labied or the ‘white well’ as it is translated, is a village in front of the high dunes. It is where you can take a walk into the gardens to see the traditional irrigation system that the region once used for watering plants.

Khamlia is also a village that situates next to the desert Valley. Visiting the village cannot be accomplished without sitting, having a cup of tea, and listening to special Gnaoua music. Watching the locals performing their extraordinary dance mixed with melodies of the drums, make you feel you are actually in a sub-Saharan country. It is true because the inhabitants of the village are almost dark-skinned people.

Back in history, their ancestors were brought as slaves from sub-Saharan countries. Today, they made the village famous for hospitality and Gnaoua music as their special historical heritage.

Driving through the dried desert valley, we leave the inhabited area to catch a panoramic view of the mountain. At the top, we stop to clearly see the transition from the desert dunes into the black rocky desert.

Descending the mountain, we stop at the old mines next to an abandoned old village. The whole place was a military territory for French Army during the colonization of the area.

Through the Hamada, rocky desert, we drive to see these flat black landscapes. It is also where Nomad families live alongside their livestock in their traditional tents.

We settle in their tents to explore their way of life and how they manage to survive. Moreover, depending on the season, there might be a visit to Merzouga Lake that situates in the west of town. During spring when it is filled with water, it attracts flocks of flamingos and wildlife. You can also visit a small museum next to the main way known as Morocco National 4×4 Auto Museum. It is where various types of old cars of rare international brands are.

The history of some of them dates back to 1941. One of his most important roles is to preserve classic cars.

Eventually, the tour ends when the driver drives back to where it all started. It is important to note that the tour is flexible; you can add or omit anything you like.