A camel ride in Merzouga is the classic way to enter the Sahara. You sit on a camel, cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and arrive at your desert camp as the sand turns orange. This guide explains how long a camel ride in Merzouga takes, how much weight a camel can carry, who can ride and what to wear. It also shows how the ride fits into a night in the dunes.
What a Camel Ride in Merzouga Is Like
The camel ride in Merzouga is slow and quiet. The animals are dromedaries, camels with one hump, and they walk in a line across the dunes. The guides lead the caravan and stop on the ridges so you can take photos. The ride is timed for sunset, when the dunes turn from gold to red and the heat drops fast.
The dunes of Erg Chebbi rise to about 150 meters, so the view from the camel is wide. You do not need any experience. Most people are surprised by how calm the ride feels once the camel is walking.
How Long Is a Camel Ride in Merzouga?
The length of a camel ride in Merzouga depends on where your camp is. Some camps sit close to the edge of the dunes and some are deeper inside. A ride can take about an hour and 30 minutes. Ask us which camp your tour uses, and we will tell you what to expect.
Plan to be at the start of the ride in the late afternoon. That way you reach the camp before dark and have time for mint tea before dinner. Our guide to a night in a Sahara desert camp explains the evening hour by hour.
Weight Limit for a Camel Ride in Merzouga
A camel can carry up to 100 kg. The exact limit depends on the size of the camel. A larger camel carries a little more, and a smaller one carries less. We match each rider to a camel that suits them.
An adult and a child can ride one camel together. This makes the camel ride in Merzouga easy for families, because a young child can sit with a parent.
Is the Camel Ride in Merzouga Included in the Tour?
Yes. On our private tours the camel ride in Merzouga is included in the price. The 3 and 4 day tours from Marrakech include the sunset camel trek into the dunes, so you do not pay extra on the day. The 3-day Marrakech to the Sahara tour is the most popular way to do it.
We offer one sunset ride to the camp. We do not sell a longer ride at this time. If you want more time on the dunes, add a quad ride or a sandboarding session.
Best Time for a Camel Ride in Merzouga
The best time for a camel ride in Merzouga is late afternoon, when the light is soft and the sand is cooler. The ride ends at the camp at dusk. After sunset the temperature falls quickly. On winter nights it can drop close to freezing, so keep a warm layer in your day bag. For the weather in each month, read our month by month guide to Morocco.
What to Wear for a Camel Ride in Merzouga
Wear long, loose trousers, because the saddle can rub bare legs. Choose closed shoes, as sand gets into sandals. Bring a scarf for the sun and the wind, and sunglasses for the low light. Put your warm jacket in a small bag, since the nights are cold. Our guide on what to wear in the Sahara desert has the full list.
Tips for Your First Camel Ride in Merzouga
Getting on and off the camel
The camel kneels so you can climb on. Hold the handle on the saddle. When the camel stands up, it lifts its back legs first, so lean back a little. The guide helps you at both ends of the ride.
Keep your bag small
A small bag is easier to carry on a camel. Your main luggage can stay with the team. Keep only your water, your scarf, your phone and a warm layer with you.
Take photos with care
Hold your phone with both hands when the camel is moving. The best moments for photos are at the stops on the ridges. The guides stop there for a reason, so wait for them.
Camel Ride vs Quad, Buggy and Dirt Bike in Merzouga
A camel ride in Merzouga is the slowest way to see the dunes, and many travelers say it is the most memorable. A quad, a buggy or a dirt bike covers more ground in one hour. The camel gives you the silence and the sunset. You can do both on the same trip. Read the guides to quad biking in Merzouga and dirt bike rides in Merzouga to compare them.
Where a Camel Ride in Merzouga Takes You
The ride goes from the edge of the dunes to your desert camp near Merzouga. The camp is where you eat dinner, hear live music and sleep under the stars. For more to do around the camp, see our list of the best things to do in Merzouga. To learn how people have lived in this desert for generations, read a day in the life of a Berber nomad.
How to Book a Camel Ride in Merzouga
Send us a message on WhatsApp at +212 609 490 681 or use the contact page. Tell us the date, the number of adults and children, and the tour you want. The camel ride is already part of our Sahara tours, so you only need to book the tour. We will send you the price and the plan.
Ready to ride into the dunes at sunset?
Message us on WhatsAppCamel Ride in Merzouga FAQ
How long is a camel ride in Merzouga?
It depends on the camp. A camel ride in Merzouga can take about an hour and 30 minutes.
How much weight can a camel carry in Merzouga?
A camel can carry up to 100 kg. The limit depends on the size of the camel.
Can a child ride a camel in Merzouga?
Yes. An adult and a child can ride one camel together.
Is the camel ride in Merzouga included in the tour?
Yes. The camel ride is included in the price of our Sahara tours.
Do I need experience for a camel ride in Merzouga?
No. The guides help you get on, and the camel walks slowly in a line.
What should I wear for a camel ride in Merzouga?
Wear long loose trousers, closed shoes and a scarf, and keep a warm layer for the night.
Navigate Morocco is a team from the Sahara desert who work as a family. We will be glad to help you plan your camel ride in Merzouga.
See where else to watch the sun go down in our guide to sunset in Morocco.
More Navigate Morocco guides: Merzouga vs Zagora, Agafay vs Merzouga, Erg Chigaga vs Merzouga, the Gnawa village of Khamlia, the drive from Marrakech to the Sahara, Fes to Merzouga.
