Few landscapes stir the imagination and sense of adventure quite like the Sahara Desert. Seemingly endless rolling dunes, starlit night skies, and ancient kasbahs echoing with stories of the caravans that once crossed these sands; it’s a world far removed from the bustle of Morocco’s cities. For thrill-seeking and culturally curious travellers, the Sahara is not just a destination; it’s a journey into one of the planet’s most extraordinary environments.
At Motor Adventures, we specialise in bringing riders deep into this mythic land. Our Morocco motorbike and buggy tours take you off the beaten track, from iconic dunes to hidden valleys, from Berber villages to firelit bivouacs in the middle of nowhere. This Sahara Desert in Morocco Travel Guide is designed to help you plan your adventure, offering practical advice and highlighting the unforgettable experiences that await.
Scroll down to get started! And if you think of any questions as we go, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Why the Sahara Desert in Morocco is So Special
The Moroccan Sahara is vast and varied, a place where towering sand dunes transition to rocky plateaus, salt flats, palm oases, and rugged mountain ranges. The scorching sun gives way to crisp desert nights, and within the solitude, you can find deep-rooted hospitality. This is a land of extremes, and it’s a thrill to explore by motorbike and buggy!
While the jaw-dropping landscapes make an early, powerful impression, it’s the culture that helps to make the Sahara unforgettable. Here you’ll encounter Berber communities with traditions stretching back centuries. From mint tea offered in desert tents to meals shared in centuries-old kasbahs, the warmth of desert hospitality is as memorable as the scenery.
Most visitors to Morocco will begin their journey in Marrakech, from which we can arrange return transfers to Ouarzazate. The ‘Red City’ is captivating in its own right — alive with souks, chaotic traffic, and buzzing street life. But this vibrancy and sensory overload make the desert’s silence and remoteness even more rewarding. Leaving the busy medinas behind and riding into the open desert is to enter another world, one that feels both timeless and liberating.
For more on why this part of the world is so captivating, be sure to read our guide Why You Must Take a Tour of Morocco’s Sahara Desert when you have finished here.
How to Get to the Sahara Desert in Morocco
The Sahara may feel remote, but reaching it is part of the adventure. As mentioned above, most travellers looking to explore the desert arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport, as it is a major international hub within driving distance of Ouarzazate, the main desert gateway. It’s around a three-and-a-half-hour drive between the two. The journey from Marrakech to Ouarzazate passes through the High Atlas Mountains and their twisting passes, offering some of North Africa’s most rugged and awe-inspiring scenery.
Logistics in the desert can be challenging, and infrastructure thins out the further south you go. That’s where our tours make all the difference. Our expert team on the ground in Ouarzazate can arrange return transfers from Marrakech, if you need them. This can take any form you want, from airport pick-up and drop-off to collection from and return to a hotel.
At Motor Adventures, we take care of the planning and guiding so you can focus on the ride. For a taste of what it’s like to explore Morocco on two wheels or four, don’t miss our guide, Exploring the Best of Morocco by 4×4, Motorbike, & Buggy.
When to Visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco
Timing is everything when it comes to your Sahara experience. At Motor Adventures, we understand how important the weather is for the comfort and enjoyment of our desert tours, which is why we have written two guides on the topic! Read When’s the Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco? and The Best Time to Visit Morocco for a more detailed look.
For now, let’s briefly introduce what you can expect at different times of year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with daytime temperatures warm and enjoyable for riding, but not overwhelming. The nights noticeably cool off, but they remain pleasant with the right clothing. Winter (December to February) is also an excellent time to travel, with crisp air and the sand at its firmest, though evening temperatures can drop close to freezing.
Summer, however, is another story. With temperatures often soaring above 45°C (113°F), conditions become unsafe for both riders and vehicles. For that reason, Motor Adventures does not operate tours during the peak summer months of June, July, and August. It’s a pause we take seriously, ensuring our guests enjoy the Sahara when it’s at its most welcoming.
The Best Places to Visit in Morocco’s Sahara Desert
Erg Chebbi & Merzouga
No Sahara Desert in Morocco Travel Guide would be complete without mentioning Erg Chebbi. Rising to heights of over 150 metres, these ever-changing dunes near Merzouga are among the most iconic in Morocco. They’re also the tallest! Popular yet still vast enough to lose yourself in, Erg Chebbi is where you can ride across shifting sands, encounter wandering camels, and sleep under the stars in a desert bivouac.
Sound tempting? Find out more about this breathtaking place in our guide Visiting Morocco’s Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes.
Erg Chigaga & M’Hamid
For travellers seeking wilder horizons, visiting Erg Chigaga is a must. While Erg Chebbi may have Morocco’s tallest dunes, Erg Chigaga is the country’s largest dune system. The dunes here cover an area of around 40 km by 15 km. Located approximately 45 km west of the small town of M’Hamid, which is already isolated itself, Erg Chigaga is more remote than Erg Chebbi and much less visited.
Here, the Sahara feels raw and untouched, with vast expanses of silence broken only by the sound of the wind. On a Motor Adventures ride, the sense of isolation and grandeur is unforgettable. Ready to take on the dunes? Our Morocco Desert Quest visits both Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, as well as Erg Ouzina!
Ouarzazate
Known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” Ouarzazate is surrounded by palm groves and dramatic landscapes. It’s also Morocco’s film capital, where productions from Lawrence of Arabia to Game of Thrones have been shot. For riders, it’s the atmospheric starting point for our tours, making it the perfect introduction to the region before pushing deeper into the Sahara.
Our guests stay in a 4* hotel in the town, complete with a swimming pool, which is perfect for those last few hours of calm and comfort before hitting the trails. It’s also a very welcome sight when our tours roll back into town after multiple days and nights in the desert!
Aït Benhaddou
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ksar of earthen materials like mud, straw, clay, and wood is a stunning example of Morocco’s desert heritage. Aït Benhaddou is only a 30-minute drive from Ouarzazate, so it’s easy to plan a visit to this essential cultural highlight alongside the natural wonders of the desert. And because it’s one of the most cinematic sights in all of Morocco, you may recognise it from Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, and, again, Game of Thrones.
Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Morocco’s Sahara Desert
The Sahara is as rewarding as it is demanding, and being prepared makes all the difference. Expect (and plan for) extreme contrasts: think hot days and chilly nights, long stretches without villages, and roads that fade into tracks across open plains. You will be tested physically and mentally, but that’s all part of the fun!
Travelling with experienced guides is essential — not only for safety but also for accessing the most remote and rewarding areas. At Motor Adventures, our years of expertise mean we know the terrain, the hidden routes, and the best spots to stop and connect with local communities. Your safety and enjoyment are of paramount importance to us, and we strike the perfect balance with both.
Practical tips include staying hydrated, wearing protective riding gear (this is mandatory!), and respecting cultural traditions in villages and towns. For riders, our motorcycle touring tips in Morocco offer even more local advice to help make your experience memorable for all the right reasons.
What to Pack for a Sahara Desert Motorbike Tour in Morocco
Packing for a Sahara trip isn’t like preparing for a weekend in Marrakech. You’ll be roaring through the desert for multiple days on an enduro bike or in a Can-Am buggy, so you need essential protective gear, for your comfort as much as your safety.
You can find a “Recommended Clothing & Accessories” sub-section within the “Requirements” section of every individual tour page on our website. Reading through these lists for any tour you’re interested in is the perfect way to start preparing for your trip.
So, what are some of the essentials? Just some of the must-pack items you need include:
- Protective clothing for both heat and wind
- A quality helmet, gloves, and goggles
- Hydration packs to ensure constant access to water
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and layered clothing for the temperature swings
Remember, this is just an introduction. Browse our Morocco motorbike and buggy tours and find out more specific information about the trips that catch your eye. We also provide a more detailed packing list after booking.
At Motor Adventures, our fleet of enduro and adventure bikes is built for long rides and tough conditions, so the heavy lifting is already taken care of. You simply need to bring your personal riding gear and a readiness for adventure. Curious about what you’ll be riding? Head over to our bikes page and buggies page to find out more.
Best Cultural Experiences in Morocco’s Sahara Desert
One of the joys of a desert ride is the encounters along the way. Imagine arriving at a traditional bivouac, where a campfire flickers against the backdrop of vast dunes and the Milky Way overhead. These moments of stillness and connection are as much a part of the Sahara as the rides themselves.
Some of the cultural experiences that elevate a ride into a memory that lasts a lifetime include:
- Staying in ancient converted kasbahs, some over 200 years old, where mudbrick walls tell stories of trade and tradition.
- Meeting Berber communities in remote villages, sipping mint tea, learning about traditional crafts, and hearing stories about life in the desert.
- Stopping at remote towns and villages where you can experience a way of life that feels entirely different to yours.
- Sampling fresh, local food, often prepared from scratch by a host, to satisfy and refuel after a day of riding.
- Unexpected encounters with camels wandering across the tracks. These make for amazing photo opportunities!
- Stargazing in some of the clearest skies on Earth. With zero light pollution, you can marvel at the blanket of stars that has stirred people here for centuries.
As we near the end of this guide, let us point you in the direction of another valuable resource in your trip-planning process, our blog Sahara Desert Tour: How to Plan the Trip of a Lifetime.
Explore Morocco’s Sahara Desert with Motor Adventures
Experience matters in the Sahara. At Motor Adventures, we’ve spent years refining our Morocco motorbike and buggy tours to combine thrilling off-road riding with authentic cultural encounters. Our expert team handles every detail, from accommodation in kasbahs and desert bivouacs to navigating the shifting sands of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga.
We’re proud of our reputation for delivering tours that balance challenge with comfort, and adventure with insight. Just one look at our reviews shows how highly our previous guests rated their time with us! Travelling with Motor Adventures means more than just crossing the desert; it’s about discovering Morocco’s Sahara in the most authentic, exhilarating way possible.
If you’re ready to ride into one of the world’s greatest landscapes, start planning your adventure today. Browse our range of experiences and please just get in touch if you have any pre-booking questions.
