National park · Morocco
Erg ChebbiErg Chebbi Dunes
Enter Erg Chebbi for a sunrise camel trek (≈30 km (19 mi) dunes) – free entry, guide optional; best in Oct–Apr; avoid mid‑summer heat.Enter Erg Chebbi for a sunrise camel trek (≈19 mi (30 km) dunes) – free entry, guide optional; best in Oct–Apr; avoid mid‑summer heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Morocco ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Moroccan consulate or official government sources before booking; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Morocco ↗The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency: you normally obtain it on arrival (ATMs, exchange desks) and change leftovers back before departure, keeping exchange receipts.
- Morocco ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation: drones are routinely confiscated at customs.
- Morocco ↗During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in the street in daylight; tourist restaurants and hotels still serve.
- Saharan Morocco ↗Drink bottled water only; every village shop sells it (about MAD 6 for a small bottle — 2026 estimate).
- Saharan Morocco ↗Guides and 'helpers' will approach you in towns; a smile and a clear no is enough. Agree any price before the service.
- Saharan Morocco ↗A dune overnight arranged locally runs about MAD 300–400 per person (2026 estimate); agency packages cost more.
At a glance
- Country
- Morocco
- Area
- 225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²)
- Approximate area 225 km² covering a 30 km‑long sand sea (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Merzouga
Erg Chebbi is Morocco's most accessible Sahara dune field, offering sunrise and sunset camel treks, overnight desert camps and nearby Berber villages.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate area 225 km² covering a 30 km‑long sand sea (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Merzouga.
Why go
- Experience iconic camel trekking across orange dunes.
- Watch sunrise or sunset over vast sand seas.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, clear skies
- FebMild, low rain
- MarPleasant, early spring
- AprIdeal weather, low crowds
- MayRising heat
- JunHot, occasional storms
- JulVery hot, risk of sandstorms
- AugPeak heat
- SepStill hot, occasional rain
- OctCool, dry, great for trekking
- NovMild, clear
- DecCool, occasional cold nights
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert reptiles and small mammals (e.g., fennec fox)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Merzouga village | Gateway town with accommodation, medical clinic and market. | Open year‑round |
| Erg Chebbi dunes | 30 km (19 mi) long sand sea; main area for camel trekking and camps.19 mi (30 km) long sand sea; main area for camel trekking and camps. | Open; no gate |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the dune field.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entrance fee (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no disposal points in the dunes.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from local authorities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Merzouga hotels and riads
Range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels.
In the park
Desert camps
Tented camps set up on the dunes; basic facilities.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Sandstorms high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Merzouga village reachable by car; dunes have no paved paths, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use camps that follow waste‑reduction practices.
- Support local guides and community‑run accommodations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Erg Chebbi?
There is no entrance fee; you only pay for optional camel treks or camp stays.
What are the best hikes in Erg Chebbi?
Camel treks at sunrise or sunset are the main routes; longer multi‑hour rides can include an overnight camp.
When is the best time to visit Erg Chebbi?
October to April offers cool, dry conditions; avoid July‑August heat.
Do I need a permit or guide?
No permit is required; guides are optional but recommended for longer treks.
Where can I stay near the dunes?
Merzouga town has hotels and guesthouses; many camps set up directly on the dunes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Erg Chebbi
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