The case for Erg Chigaga

Having become a recent tourist destination, admitting visitors only since the 1990’s, the Erg Chigaga great dunes provide a truly unique desert adventure.

It takes two hours off the road by a 4×4 vehicle or three days by camel or foot from the nearest village, M’Hamid. The journey includes traveling within Morocco’s largest protected national park, Iriqui National park.

The vastness of its dunes that appear to go on forever gives a sense of being out in the wilderness and far away from the racket of the big cities. The off road route borders Algeria and passes a dried up lake, Iriki, giving and incredible rocky desert scenery that reminds you of that of the US.

Given its secluded character, it gives visitors a very private and exclusive experience. They can stay the night in tiny tents around little camps that keep their distance as to not disturb each other, but that are close enough, in case you ever need to borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbors. You can’t see or hear anyone and you have a tent for yourself, with a private toilet behind it. Your hosts will run up in camels every once in a while to check up on you and perhaps have a nice conversation with you over a cup of warm mint tea.

The case for Erg Chebbi

Erg Chebbi is famous for its high dunes, which can reach up to a hundred and sixty meters, offering views of the Sahara to be found nowhere else.

It is relatively easy to get to – just hopping on a camel from Merzouga should do the trick. It’s also very frequented because of its high accessibility and therefore provides more interaction with other tourists, with larger camps all set more closely together.

Visitors gather up around fireworks in the evening and share music and conversation and in the mornings, breakfast takes place around several mats.

The cases have been made, now it’s your call to choose. Which one is better for you?

Start Your Journey Here