Travel Guide Merzouga

If you pass in the Moroccan South-East, do not miss Merzouga. There you will discover endless sand dunes in the heart of the erg Chebbi, the first real pre-Saharan erg. On the other side of the dunes, there is a rocky desert that leads to the Algerian border. In recent years, the site has experienced a spectacular development, as evidenced by the proliferation of hostels at the foot of the dunes. As soon as you leave Rissani and its palm grove, the dunes appear, Merzouga being 34 km from Rissani. The erg Chebbi is located west of this road, from which start unmarked tracks in the direction of the dunes. You can go there with a tourist vehicle, because the tracks are flattened and not very sandy. You can drive to the foot of the dunes and then climb to the top on foot. Count on a good half-hour walk. The sunrises and sunsets are unforgettable. With the play of light and shadow created by the dunes, the sand takes on a reddish hue whose shades vary infinitely. Unfortunately, the site is overrun by touts and vendors of all kinds. Be firm with anyone who approaches you. Although tourism is their main source of income, the welcome is still warm. Recently built, the village of Merzouga was once a caravan camp. It is said that the date pits left by the nomads gave birth to the palm grove. With time, the place became welcoming, a little away from civilization, perfect for the sedentarization of nomads.