Things to do · Sahara
The tall dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are not only for camel caravans — they are a playground for sand sports. You can slide down the slopes on a sandboard, bounce across the desert in a 4x4, or buzz over the sand on a quad bike. This guide covers what each activity is really like, beginner technique, the best dunes and times, and how to fit it around a camel trek or overnight camp.
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Sandboarding means sliding down a dune face on a board, much like snowboarding but on sand. Most desert camps lend simple boards you ride standing up or sitting down, and the soft sand makes for forgiving landings, so it suits complete beginners.
Start on a shorter, gentler slope to get a feel for the glide. Keep your knees soft and your weight slightly back, look down the slope rather than at your feet, and lean back gently to slow down. Many first-timers find it easier to sit or lie on the board before trying to stand.
Dry sand can be slow, so the base of the board is usually rubbed with wax to help it slide. If your runs feel sluggish, ask your guide to re-wax the base. Climbing back up the soft dune is the tiring part, so pace yourself and take water between runs.
Dune-bashing is riding in a 4x4 driven over the dunes, surging up and down the slopes at speed. An experienced local driver reads the sand and keeps momentum so the vehicle does not bog down. It is a thrilling way to cover ground and reach remote dunes, especially around Erg Chigaga.
Quad bikes (ATVs) let you explore the sandy tracks and lower dunes under your own control. Operators give a short briefing and usually lead in a group. Quads are popular on the flatter sand and rocky hammada around Merzouga rather than the steepest faces of the erg.
People use sandsurfing and sandboarding loosely for the same thing. In practice the board, the wax and the technique are what matter: a waxed base, a steep-enough slope and soft sand below. The steeper and cleaner the dune face, the faster and smoother your descent.
Erg Chebbi beside Merzouga is the most accessible base, with tall, steep faces right by the camps and easy board hire. Erg Chigaga, reached via M'Hamid in the Draa Valley, is wilder and more remote, with big open dunes that suit 4x4 dune-bashing and quieter boarding away from the crowds.
Go at sunrise or late afternoon, when the sand is cooler underfoot and the low light makes the dunes glow. Midday sand can get very hot and the heat is draining, so sand sports are best at the cooler ends of the day, which are also the most photogenic.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring the most comfortable conditions. Winter days are pleasant though mornings are cold; summer is very hot, so any activity is pushed to early morning and evening. Avoid windy, dusty spells when blowing sand reduces visibility.
Sand sports pair naturally with the classic overnight. Ride a camel out to a dune camp for sunset, sandboard the slopes by camp before dark or at sunrise, then take a 4x4 transfer back. Many camps keep boards on hand, so you can add a few runs without booking a separate excursion.
Wear closed shoes you can empty of sand, sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf to wrap over your face against blowing sand. Carry water, and for 4x4 and quad rides follow the operator's briefing and wear any helmet provided. Check that quad and 4x4 operators look experienced and their vehicles well maintained.
No. The soft sand is forgiving and most people pick it up quickly. Start on a gentler slope, keep your knees soft and your weight slightly back, and try sitting or lying on the board before standing. Camps usually lend boards and a guide will show you the basics.
Erg Chebbi beside Merzouga is the most accessible, with tall steep faces by the camps and easy board hire. Erg Chigaga via M'Hamid is wilder and more remote, with big open dunes that suit 4x4 dune-bashing and quieter boarding away from the crowds.
Sunrise or late afternoon. The sand is cooler underfoot and the low light makes the dunes glow, which is also when photos look best. Midday sand gets very hot and the heat is draining, so sand sports are best at the cooler ends of the day.
Yes, they fit together well. Ride a camel out to a dune camp for sunset, sandboard the slopes near camp at dusk or sunrise, then transfer back. Many camps keep boards on hand so you can add a few runs without booking a separate excursion.
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