Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

Last Updated on January 17, 2026 by Lauren Allen

Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert is on many travel lovers’ bucket lists. So when I hopped on a plane to Morocco back in August 2018, I knew this was something I just HAD to do.

As a solo female traveller, I was unsure what to expect. Concerns from friends and colleagues back home made me doubt myself. Would I be safe? Would I enjoy the trip? Was this all just a big mistake? However, after a 4 (ish) hour’s flight, I landed in Marrakech feeling exhilarated.

Upon arrival at my riad, I immediately felt welcomed as the owner poured me some mint tea. Yum! My time in Morocco started beautifully and the next two weeks saw me visit Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Chefcahouen, Ait Ben Haddou, the Atlas Mountains and of course, the Sahara Desert.

Read more: Solo female travel in Morocco | What it’s REALLY like

Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert | My experience:

After doing some research online, I figured that it would be much cheaper to book my trip to the Sahara Desert once I had arrived in Morocco. I was right. Flicking through a book of excursions on offer through my hostel, I came across a three-day tour that cost just £75. The price included transport in an air-conditioned minibus, two nights’ accommodation, tours and some meals. Bargain!

DAY 1

We began our trip early. At 7am, we left Jemaa El Fnaa and proceed towards Ait Ben Haddou. Passing through the Atlas Mountains, we just had to stop to admire the views. We seemed to have passed through at the most perfect time, all totally in awe of the views we were being treated to.

Read more: Shopping in Morocco | 5 things that I regret not buying

DAY 2

After a night in a bog-standard hotel, we had breakfast (again, very standard) and got on the road again. This time, heading onwards to a kasbah. Here we saw how traditional Berber rugs were made. Turns out, they take up to six months to make!

Tip: I later found out that I could have upgraded my package to stay in a fancy hotel. Had I known that, I would have treated myself. If you chose to book your tour once in Morocco, this definitely worth noting.

Read more: Atlas Mountains | The ultimate day trip from Marrakech

Next, we headed to the final spot on the tour! This was it, we were finally going to tick camping overnight in the Sahara Desert off our bucket lists!!!! OMG!!!

Arriving in the desert felt so surreal. This had been on my bucket list for the longest time and I was finding it super hard to contain my excitement. After some mint tea in one of the desert hotels, we stored our non-essential belongings in the back of our minivan and went on our way.

Climbing onto my camel and riding through the Sahara Desert to my camp definitely felt like a pinch-me moment. It got to me so much that I did in fact cry. Yep, I cried. Partly because I couldn’t quite believe this was happening, but also because I would have done anything to have shared that experience with my Brother.

Upon arriving at our camp, we dropped our stuff in our tents and headed straight to the top of the dunes for views for days across the Sahara Desert. After a bit of a photoshoot, I sat down to reflect on this “once in a lifetime” experience. The rest of my tour had already raced down to the bottom so I sat there in complete solitude, savouring the moment. It was so incredibly peaceful, I didn’t want to move.

Alas, it was almost time to eat. I headed back down to camp to freshly poured mint tea. Afterwards, we were served tagine for dinner, before being treated to some entertainment – some traditional Berber music around a fire! Of course, we all got up and danced. What an experience!

Ending the night laying in the sand and gazing up at thousands of stars (even some shooting stars) was the perfect end to the most amazing travel day ever.

Read more: Essaouira day trip from Marrakech | 6 things to see and do

DAY 3

Waking up on day three was surreal. Despite the 5am wake-up call and the long journey ahead, I was in very high spirits. Clearly still in awe after camping overnight in the Sahara Desert.

After a farewell breakfast, half of the group continued their journey back to Marrakech. However, opting to head to Fez instead, myself and the rest of the group booked a private taxi. For a bargain price of 25 EUR, we got settled down for the 7-hour journey towards the oldest city in Morocco.

It was a somewhat uneventful journey, stopping for lunch and toilet breaks. Until that is, we stopped to admire monkeys out in the wild! How unexpected (and super cool).

Hours later, arriving in Fez after an incredible (but intense) 3-day tour from Marrakech to the Sahara, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t exhausted. So after upgrading to a super nice private room for the duration of my stay, I relaxed and reflected on my bucket list experience out in the Sahara Desert.

Read more: The ultimate guide to visiting Fez, Morocco

Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert | Tips and tricks:

• Book your tour once you arrive in the country: Before I left for Morocco, I did some research on tours online. However, I was told it would be much cheaper to book a tour upon arrival. Although this is true, the tour I took was not the “glamping” experience I was hoping for. If you wish to stay in a luxury camp, I recommend booking in advance before your trip.

• Only bring the essentials: If you will be travelling to your camp by camel, make sure you only bring the essentials. Not only does this reduce the weight felt by the camel, but realistically you do not need more than a few essentials and a change of clothes. With excess luggage, you will be able to either leave this with a hotel or lock in your tour minibus.

• Keep hydrated: As always, keeping hydrated is super important. Especially in the desert!

• Take a jumper: Despite intense heat during the day in summer months, the desert can still get cold during the night. To ensure you keep warm, make sure you take a jumper or clothes to layer up!

• Don’t forget your camera: Trust me, you will want to take your camera. The Sahara Desert is an Instagrammers dream.

• If you are a solo female travelling alone, stay aware: After attempting (but failing) to put me in a six-person tent alone, one of the men running the camp attempted to convince me to “explore the dunes” with him alone. Of course, common sense meant I refused both offers. Just keep that in mind and make sure you keep safe. Saying that, don’t let that put you off from travelling to the Sahara Desert on your solo trip to Morocco. Just stay with your group!

Read more: Staying safe in Morocco | A guide for solo female travellers

Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert | Conclusion

Overall, camping overnight in the Sahara Desert is something that I believe everybody should do at least once in their lifetime. Personally, I would love to experience it again and again.

Have you ever considered camping overnight in the Sahara Desert? Is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!

Like this post? Then pin it!