When people picture Morocco, they usually see two things: busy souks and the dunes of the Sahara. Both are real, but Morocco is far more varied. In one country you will find snowy peaks, Atlantic beaches, Mediterranean coves, palm valleys and imperial cities. You could travel for a month and still not see everything.
Most of our travellers have one or two weeks. Our advice as a Morocco-based travel designer is simple: choose one half of the country and enjoy it slowly. The easiest choice is between the south, with the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains, and the north, with Fes, Chefchaouen and the Rif.
South or north: Morocco at a glance
| Southern Morocco | Northern Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Landscapes | Sahara dunes, High Atlas, gorges, palm oases | Rif Mountains, green valleys, Mediterranean coast |
| Highlights | Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades and Todra gorges, Merzouga, Essaouira | Fes, Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis, Tangier |
| Experiences | Desert camp, camel ride at sunset, nomad families, Gnawa music | Medina crafts, blue streets, hiking to waterfalls in Akchour |
| Best for | First trips, couples, families, photographers | History lovers, walkers, return visitors |
| Ideal length | 7 to 10 days | 7 to 10 days |
Southern Morocco is for you if…
You dream of a night in the Sahara. Nothing prepares you for the silence of the dunes. You ride a camel into Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the sand turns orange, then sleep in a desert camp under more stars than you have ever seen. Camel riding feels awkward for the first ten minutes and unforgettable for the rest of your life.
You want to walk onto a film set. Ouarzazate, nicknamed “Ouallywood”, and the earthen kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have appeared in films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator and in Game of Thrones. Seen in real life, the mud-brick villages look like giant sandcastles.
You love mountains. To reach the desert you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at over 2,200 metres. Further east, the Dades and Todra gorges and the Valley of Roses are perfect for morning walks through fields and palm groves.
You want real encounters. In the south, we take our travellers to share tea with a nomad family, watch women weave rugs, and listen to Gnawa musicians in the village of Khamlia. These visits are paid fairly and arranged with the families themselves.
Northern Morocco is for you if…
You prefer history and craft to deserts. Fes has one of the oldest and largest medinas in the world, Chefchaouen’s blue streets are made for slow wandering, and the Rif Mountains around Akchour hide waterfalls and natural pools. The north is also greener and cooler in summer.
Can’t choose? Our Best of Morocco trip combines Fes and the Sahara in 8 days.
When to go to the Sahara
The best months are September to May. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring warm days and pleasant nights. December to February is sunny but nights in the desert can drop close to freezing, so good camps provide heating or thick blankets. From June to August, daytime heat in the desert often goes above 40°C, and we usually suggest the north or the coast instead.
How many days do you need?
Merzouga is about 9 to 10 hours’ drive from Marrakech, so a Sahara trip needs at least 3 days and 2 nights. We recommend 4 to 5 days: you break the drive with nights in the Dades Valley or Ait Ben Haddou, spend more than one evening in the dunes, and see the gorges on the way. Shorter trips from Marrakech go to Zagora instead, which is closer, but its dunes are much smaller.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for a Sahara trip from Marrakech? At least 3 days, ideally 4 to 5 to enjoy the route and the desert without rushing.
Merzouga or Zagora? Merzouga, for the real Sahara experience: the Erg Chebbi dunes are among the highest in Morocco. Zagora suits travellers with only 2 days.
Is a desert camp comfortable? The camps we use have private tents with real beds, linen and private bathrooms with hot water. [Confirm or adjust for your partner camps.]
Can children do a Sahara trip? Yes. Children love the camels and sandboarding. We plan shorter driving days and family tents. See our Travel with Kids trip.
Are camel rides ethical? We work with camel handlers who look after their animals, limit ride times and weights, and rest the camels in the heat of the day.
Plan your Sahara trip with Asgunfa
We are a locally led travel designer, and every trip is private and built around you. Explore our southern itineraries:
- Road Trip to the Sahara: 8 days from Marrakech to the dunes
- Sahara Safari: 2 to 3 nights in the desert
- Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Ait Ben Haddou, Dades and Todra
- Morocco Southern Wonders: 15 days in the deep south and along the coast
Read what our travellers say on Tripadvisor, then contact us to design your trip.
