Planning a trip to Morocco? Looking for the best things to do in Morocco? Did you know you can actually spend a night in the Sahara Desert??!
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Morocco, this summer I spent 2 weeks in Morocco and got to spend a night in the Sahara Desert!!
When I was planning my trip to Morocco this summer, I obsessed over the itinerary. We only had 2 weeks, and I wanted create the ultimate Morocco itinerary — one where we could see and do as many fun things as possible in our 2 short weeks!
When I learned you could actually go to the Sahara Desert, I knew we absolutely had do it. How amazing would it be to set foot in the most famous desert in the world??!
It was a totally unique and completely unforgettable experience. We took a sunset camel ride into the soft, sandy dunes of the Sahara Desert and spent the night in a luxury tent under the stars.
If you’re researching the best way to get to the Sahara Desert, you probably have the same concerns I did. Keep reading this post for our recommendations on how to have the best experience in the Sahara Desert.
How to Get to the Sahara Desert in Morocco
First, I wanted to make sure our transportation into the desert would be safe and reliable. I also wanted to make sure our driver/guide would be trusthworthy. As two girls traveling alone, this was very important to us. And I wanted to make sure our vehicle would be air-conditioned and comfortable — it’s a long trip to the desert!
And second, since we’d actually be spending a night in the Sahara Desert, I wanted to make sure our accommodations would be as clean and comfortable as possible. There are many desert camps in the Sahara Desert, all ranging in style and budget, but I definitely wanted the best luxury camp in the Sahara Desert!
Luxury Camp in the Sahara Desert
After doing tons of research and reading reviews, we chose Top Desert for our 3-day tour to the Sahara Desert.
All of Top Desert’s tours are private, completely customized to your wishes, and offer the utmost luxury experience. They have amazing reviews on TripAdvisor (500 reviews, 5 star average) and they answered emails promptly.
We took a 3-day / 2-night tour with Top Desert to the Sahara Desert. They picked us up in Marrakech and dropped us off in Fez. Since all of Top Desert tours are customizable, they will pick you up and drop you off anywhere you choose!
The luxury tents are equipped with a full bathroom including running water, western toilet, and shower!!
The Top Desert luxury camp in the Sahara Desert even has very good WiFi!!
Another important factor — Top Desert owns and operates its own luxury camp in the Sahara Desert, so you know the quality and service will be up to their standards.
Breakfast and dinner are included at the camp. The dinner was amazing. Our desert guides cooked a traditional meal on the barbecue for us. Seriously delicious.
What To See On The Way To The Sahara Desert
It’s a long way from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. It took 2 days to get there. But it’s a beautiful drive and we made lots of fun stops on the way! Take a look below at what all you’ll get to see on the drive to the desert.
Telouet Kasbah
We drove through the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco and through the Dades Valley. Dades Valley is also known as the “land of a thousand kasbahs” — kasbah means castle!
We visited one of the most beautiful kasbahs in this area, the Telouet Kasbah.
The Telouet Kasbah is a former palace built in the 1700s.
You can still see the remains of the colorful mosaics in the palace.
The palace is along the former caravan route that connected the Sahara Desert to Marrakech.
Aït Benhaddou
We also visited the Aït Benhaddou Kasbah. Aït Benhaddou is an ancient village and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status because of its well preserved example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture
Atlas Film Studios
Another fun stop — the Atlas Film Studios!
The Atlas Film Studios are known as the “Hollywood of Morocco“.
There are many film sets you can explore.
Maybe you recognize some? Many famous movies and TV shows have been filmed here, such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones, Cleopatra, The Passion of the Christ and more!!
Amridil Kasbah
Above is the Amridil Kasbah, a castle from the 1600s. A picture of the Amridil Kasbah is on Morocco’s 50 Dirham banknote! It’s also where the famous movies Lawrence of Arabia and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were filmed.
Dades Gorge
How crazy is this winding road in the Dades Gorge??
A literal oasis in the middle of the desert.
Todra Gorge
Beautiful turquoise blue river in the Todra Gorge.
We spent one night in Dades Valley on the way to the Sahara Desert at the Hotel Xaluca Dades. How beautiful is this room?! The room was included on our tour with Top Desert. Breakfast and dinner are also included at the hotel!
If you want an incredible experience in Morocco, I highly recommend Top Desert for the best luxury camp in the Sahara Desert.
Here is a link to the exact tour we did.
We took the 3-day / 2-night desert tour from Marrakech to Fez.
But again, since all of Top Desert’s tours are private and completely customizable, you can start and finish where ever it is most convenient for you. You can also add more days and see even more of Morocco!
See more posts from Morocco!
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Tours in Morocco are fantastic ! Stunning sights, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences . Highly recommend it!!
Loved ready ur post , hope I can ask u something about your time in Morocco . I was there as a child with my parents and was chased by the snake charmers and has left me with a life long hysterical and paralyzing fear which is my only concern about revisiting as an adult . Did u experience anything like this & did u even so much as to see any of them . Thanks appreciate ur input
Hi Amanda thank you for the information about your trip. I would love to do the Sahara luxury camping . My only concern is if near the camping or on site is there any medical facility or since the camping it’s on the middle of the dessert there is nothing close .
Thank you
Adriana
Thank you for asking! I had the same question
Hi — Did you go to the Erg Chebbi Dunes or the Erg Chigaga Dunes?
Erg Chebbi! :)
Do you feel like 1 night in the actual desert was enough? We’re looking to book this exact tour and I’m debating whether to add on an extra night in the desert. It sounds like it would be a nice way/place to relax and extra day, but it may also be boring?
For me personally, it was enough — especially since when we went it was so hot, being outside was a bit unbearable and there’s no air conditioning in the tents. The only other activity that you can do in the desert (that I know of) is sand boarding. It’s fun, but I had already done it in another desert, so I didn’t feel like I needed to do it again. If you go when it’s not too hot during the day, there may be more to do and it may be more enjoyable! :) Have a great trip!
Great post! I know the time in the desert had to be a unique experience ?