Things to do · Sahara
A night in the Moroccan Sahara can be the highlight of a family trip — most children love the open dunes, a short camel ride and a campfire under a sky full of stars. The main challenge is the long drive to reach Merzouga or Zagora and the desert's big swings between hot days and cold nights. With a sensible pace and the right packing, the Sahara works well for families. Here is what to expect and how to plan it.
10 experiences
For many children the giant sand dunes are the best playground imaginable. Sandboarding, rolling and sliding down the slopes, digging and simply running barefoot on the sand tend to keep kids happily occupied long after the grown-ups are ready to sit down.
A short camel ride to camp feels like an adventure, and evenings around the campfire — with Berber drumming and music, and dinner under the open sky — are often what children remember most. Many camps welcome families and keep the evening relaxed.
Away from any town lights, the desert night sky is astonishing, and children are often amazed to see so many stars and the Milky Way. Lie back on a dune together; it is a simple highlight that needs no equipment.
The hardest part with young children is the distance — Merzouga is roughly an 8 to 10 hour drive from Marrakech. Rather than doing it in one push, break the journey over two or three days so no single day is exhausting.
Spacing out the drive lets you stop at places kids enjoy, such as the kasbah at Aït Ben Haddou and the dramatic Dadès or Todra gorges. Bring snacks, games, books and downloaded films or music to keep little ones content between stops.
The desert swings from hot days to genuinely cold nights, which can drop near freezing in winter. Dress children in light layers for the day and pack a warm fleece, jacket and long trousers for the evening, plus hats and a scarf against sun and blowing sand.
Sun on the dunes is strong and there is no shade. Use high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats and cover-up clothing, and keep children drinking water through the day. For little ones it is best to avoid the peak summer heat and travel in the milder seasons instead.
Camel treks suit many children, but check with your camp or operator about any minimum age and whether your child is comfortable up high. Smaller children should be held or closely supervised, and a 4x4 ride into the dunes is a gentler alternative if a camel feels like too much.
Look for a comfort or ensuite camp with proper beds and a private bathroom rather than a basic bivouac. Family-friendly camps often have larger tents, sometimes a pool, and staff used to children — worth confirming when you book.
The desert rewards a relaxed pace. One or two nights at the camp, with unhurried time on the dunes, beats a rushed there-and-back. Building in rest and play time makes the whole trip far easier with children and far more enjoyable for everyone.
Yes — many families visit the Moroccan Sahara and children tend to love the dunes, a short camel ride, the campfire and the star-filled sky. The main thing to plan for is the long drive to the desert and the big swing between hot days and cold nights, both of which are manageable with a sensible pace and the right packing.
Merzouga is roughly an 8 to 10 hour drive from Marrakech, which is a lot for young children in one go. It is much easier to break the journey over two or three days, stopping at places like Aït Ben Haddou and the gorges, with snacks, games and downloads to pass the time.
Often yes, but check with your camp or operator about any minimum age and whether your child is comfortable being up high. Smaller children should be held and closely supervised, and a 4x4 ride into the dunes is a gentler alternative if a camel ride feels like too much.
Pack light layers for hot days plus a warm fleece, jacket and long trousers for cold nights, sun hats, high-SPF sunscreen and a scarf against sun and sand, closed shoes, plenty of water, and snacks, games and downloads for the long drive. Avoid peak summer heat with little ones and choose a milder season instead.
See it with a local
We'll build a private, guided plan around the experiences you care about — with a driver, hand-picked riads and a written quote in 24 hours.
Contact us for pricingMore cities