Lost in the Magic of the Merzouga Desert: A Journey Into the Heart of the Sahara
When people dream of Morocco, it’s often the vivid image of rolling golden dunes, starry skies, and camel caravans that comes to mind. For me, that dream came to life in Merzouga—a small village on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, deep in the Sahara Desert. What I expected was a desert excursion. What I got was a life-changing experience.
Welcome to Merzouga
Merzouga is a quiet village in southeastern Morocco, near the Algerian border. It might be small in size, but it’s the gateway to some of the most iconic and breathtaking dunes in the entire Sahara. The journey to get there—whether by car, tour, or bus—is long but unforgettable, weaving through the High Atlas Mountains, lush oases, and rugged kasbahs before finally revealing the vast expanse of golden sand.
The Camel Trek: Into the Dunes
As the sun began to set, I climbed onto a camel and began the slow, rhythmic journey into the desert. The dunes stretched endlessly in every direction, glowing in shades of orange and gold. With each step, the camel’s gentle sway became meditative. There was nothing but silence, sand, and sky.
After about an hour of trekking, we reached our Berber camp, tucked between the dunes. The isolation was surreal—no roads, no electricity, just the sound of wind brushing across the sand.
A Night Under the Sahara Stars
Dinner was traditional and delicious: tagine, couscous, warm bread, and mint tea, served by our Berber hosts. After the meal, we gathered around a fire as they played traditional drums and sang desert songs, their voices echoing into the vastness of the night.
And then came the stars.
In Merzouga, the sky feels closer. With zero light pollution, the Milky Way stretched across the sky like a painted masterpiece. I laid back on the cool sand, staring into the galaxy above me, completely still. It’s a moment I’ll carry forever.
