A guide in a blue robe and turban leading two camels across the sand

Private & custom

Private Desert Adventure in Merzouga

A private desert adventure in Merzouga: your own guide and vehicle for the day in Erg Chebbi, with activities and timing chosen by you.

About 6 hours as a guide; we can also do a half day or a longer day
Flexible
Easy

We're still finishing the details on this page. Ask us and we'll send you what's included, the timings and the price in writing.

Overview

A private desert adventure in Merzouga is for travellers who want the dunes on their own terms. No set timetable, no other groups, and a day built around what you actually enjoy. Tell us who's coming and what you're into, and we'll put together a day in and around Erg Chebbi with a guide and vehicle for your group only.

Mix things however you like. One day might start with a 4x4 drive around the dunes, carry on with a quad ride or some sandboarding, stop for a picnic and mint tea in the shade, and end on a camel heading up a dune crest for sunset. Families tend to go slower and stop more. Couples often want a quiet sunset spot away from the busier dunes, while groups of friends usually add more time on engines. We adjust the whole thing to ages, fitness and the season.

It suits honeymoons, birthdays and family trips, or anyone who likes having the day to themselves. If you'd rather pick activities from a list, look at the custom activity combination. For several days in Morocco with the desert at the centre, ask us for a custom tour.

Highlights

Private guide and vehicle, just for your group
Your choice of camel, 4x4, quads, sandboarding, picnic and sunset
Pace and timing set around you
Good for couples, families and groups of friends
Can be stretched into a night at a desert camp

Key details

Duration: About 6 hours as a guide; we can also do a half day or a longer day
Best time: Flexible. In summer, keep the active parts for the morning and late afternoon and rest through the middle of the day.
Meeting point: Pick-up from your hotel, auberge or camp in Merzouga or Hassilabied. We can collect you from further away on request.
Transport: Private vehicle (usually a 4x4) with a local driver or guide. Anything else is confirmed on request.

Included

Private guide and vehicle for your group
Planning the day around your choices
The activities you pick, as listed in your quote
Bottled water is often provided; we'll confirm this when you book

Not included

Activities not listed in your confirmed quote
Meals unless agreed (we can arrange a picnic or lunch)
A night at a camp, unless you add it
Tips (optional)

What to bring

Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
A scarf for wind and sand
Closed shoes for quads or sandboarding
Layers, because the desert cools fast after sunset
Water and any snacks the children may need

Age, safety & accessibility

Each activity has its own safety rules. Quads and buggies, for example, need helmets and have minimum ages, set by the operator and confirmed when you book.
Let us know ages, health conditions, pregnancy or back problems in advance, so we only suggest activities that suit you.
No alcohol before anything with an engine.
In summer, heat is the main risk, so we plan the day around the hottest hours.
Camel rides may have a weight limit for the animals' sake. Just ask.

Booking conditions

You send a request; it isn't an instant booking. Give us your dates, group size and interests, and we'll send a suggested plan and a quote.
Strong wind or a sandstorm can mean swapping activities around or moving them on the day.
If it's a birthday or honeymoon, tell us when you enquire and we can talk about special touches.

Cancellation policy · Booking terms

Photo gallery

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the private adventure and the custom activity combination?

With the custom activity combination you pick activities and we fit them together. The private adventure is a whole day planned around you, with a private guide and vehicle from start to finish and your group setting the pace.

Is a private desert day in Merzouga OK for young children?

Yes. We can build the day around gentle things like a short camel ride, sandboarding on easy slopes and a picnic. Motorised activities depend on the operator's age rules.

Can we add a night in the desert?

Yes. Plenty of guests finish the day at a desert camp and head back the next morning after sunrise. Just mention it in your request.

Learn more

Background reading on Wikipedia and more packages on our other site.

Private & custom
Build Your Own Combination of Desert Activities
Tell us your dates, group and interests, and we'll combine Merzouga activities into one plan with one quote for everything.
Flexible: anything from a full day to several days, depending on what you combineFlexible
Request a quote
Food & dinnersOn request
Desert Picnic Lunch in Merzouga
A desert picnic lunch in Merzouga: a simple meal in the shade of a palm grove or by the dunes, usually added to a 4x4 day or camel trek.
About 2 hours, including setup and an unhurried lunchMorning · Afternoon
Request a quote
Camel treks
Sunset Camel Trek in Merzouga
Our sunset camel trek in Merzouga is a slow, guided ride into Erg Chebbi that gets you to the top of a dune as the sun goes down.
About 1.5–2 hours in totalSunset
from €20 per person