Journeys & transfers
The Sahara begins long before the sand does
Nobody arrives in Merzouga by accident. Getting here means crossing a large and genuinely beautiful part of Morocco, and how you do that shapes the whole trip. We would rather help you plan it properly than have you arrive exhausted at midnight.
Two ways to travel
Direct transfer, or a journey with stops
Private direct transfer
A private vehicle and driver taking you from your city to the meeting point in Merzouga, on the day and at the time that suits your plans. Straightforward, flexible, and comfortable with luggage or children.
We do not publish fixed journey times here — they vary with the route, season, road conditions and how many stops you want. Your driver and itinerary are confirmed with you in advance.
Multi-day journey
The drive south is full of things worth stopping for, and a two- or three-day route turns the transfer into part of the holiday rather than the cost of it. Routes are built around what you actually want to see.
Itineraries are put together individually, so we describe the character of the routes here rather than publishing a fixed programme.
Starting points
Where journeys usually begin
These are the most common starting cities. Journeys can also begin elsewhere in Morocco — tell us where you will be and we will work from that.
- 01
From Marrakech
South over the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, into a landscape of kasbahs, ochre valleys and film-country desert around Ouarzazate before turning east toward the dunes. The most scenic of the approaches, and the one most worth breaking into two days. - 02
From Fes
South through the Middle Atlas cedar country and the high plateau, then down through the Ziz valley — a long green ribbon of palm groves between bare rock — toward Erfoud and Merzouga. - 03
From Ouarzazate
East along the valleys, through the gorge country and past kasbah towns and palm oases. A shorter run than Marrakech, and a good option if you have already crossed the Atlas. - 04
From Errachidia
The closest of the four, following the Ziz south past Erfoud and Rissani into the desert. Practical if you are arriving in the region by air or by bus.
Who arranges it
Handled with Morocco Shiny Days
Transport and journey arrangements are handled by our associated team at Morocco Shiny Days, who have been organising private travel across Morocco for years. It is the same people, so nothing gets lost between the drive and the camp.
Tell us where you are coming from when you enquire about dates and we will pass the details on, or you can look through their wider Morocco travel planning first.
Arrival
Where the journey ends
However you travel, the last step is the same: guests meet our team in Merzouga near the Shell service station. If you have driven yourself, your car goes into secure parking. If you have come by private transfer, your driver drops you at the same point.
From there you continue into the dunes with us, normally with the sunset camel ride. The full sequence is set out in How It Works, and there is more on route planning in how to get to Merzouga from Marrakech, Fes and Errachidia.
Check availability
Tell us where you're travelling from
Send your dates, group and arrival plan. We reply personally, usually with a couple of practical questions before we confirm anything.