There's something alluring about the Sahara Desert that has attracted visitors for centuries, with an aura that is both timeless and fleeting. If you're on your way to Merzouga, you'll travel across the sand sea of Erg Chebbi to the fluttering, white camp, surrounded by pure silence and packed with whimsical charm. Wake at sunrise for a lilting wander amongst the dunes on camelback, take your lunch in a lush oasis, and, as night falls, lie back on a plump cushion to gaze at the stars - the in-house astronomer will give you plenty of interesting tidbits.
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At Merzouga, the desert is your dining room, lounge and playground. You'll enjoy breakfasts of fresh fruit juice, yoghurts and Berber crepes on top of a dune, afternoon tea, picnic style, on the sand, and dinner under the stars, each course chosen by you. Later on, rousing musical show of Berber and Nomadic tunes, is played around the fire. There is also a tented dining room, adorned with tree-like candelabras and plush white couches, and the cuisine could easily rival Marrakesh's finest.
Plucked directly from a scene from Lawrence of Arabia, there are 15 peaked tents set amidst the Znigui dunes. The style is cosy, authentic and laidback, with Berber textiles, huge ceramic vases, and woven baskets all featuring. Tents are surprisingly roomy and come equipped with a flushing toilet, piping-hot shower, air-con, and ports for charging your phone. Set around a central area, the tents aren't especially far from each other, and if privacy is important, choose the glass-fronted exclusive camp, a little further away.
While the thought of laying out on a spread of cushions without moving a muscle sounds glorious, don't miss out on an excursion into the surrounds. Take a scenic stroll through the dunes (there are Berber guides for longer walks), go sandboarding down Erg Chebbi's tallest dune and quad biking along desert trails, and watch the sunset whilst perched on a camel's back. There are also 4x4 drives available, taking you to tea with a Berber family, lunch in a flourishing oasis, or the ancient town of Erfoud where thousands of fossils have been uncovered.
The tranquillity, solitude and pure magic of being hidden in the Sahara.
It's absolutely worth spending two nights here, but if you're staying for one, avoid arriving late or leaving early - you'll miss out on the full experience.
If you're travelling from Marrakesh, be prepared for a long and bumpy drive - but your guide will share some spectacular sights along the way.
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Let the dune fields and sand towers captivate you in this iconic and accessible portion of the Sahara.
