Erg Chebbi · Merzouga · Groups
Student Groups & Gap Year Trips to the Sahara
Learning you cannot get in a classroom in New Zealand: camel treks, nomad culture, desert geology, ancient fossils and nights under the stars. We host schools, universities, volunteer and gap-year groups with safe, carefully organised programmes.
- Educational programmes
- Experienced local guides
- Group-friendly prices
- Safe camp & 24/7 contact
Learn in the desert
A classroom without walls
The Sahara teaches what books cannot: how nomad families live on very little water, how dunes shift with the wind, why fossils from an ancient sea lie in the middle of the desert and how a whole culture grew up around caravans and oases.
Many young New Zealanders on their OE pass through Morocco, and flights from Aotearoa usually connect via a hub such as Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or a European city. We design programmes for school trips, university field trips, language and culture groups, volunteer projects and gap-year travellers, with multilingual guides used to working with young people.
- Programmes from 1 to 5 days
- Geology, ecology, culture and history themes
- Shared or private tents for teachers and students
- Clear safety rules and a local contact 24 hours a day
Learning experiences
What students can do
Nomad visit
Meet a nomad family, learn how they live and help make bread.
Fossils & geology
Discover fossils and the geology of Erg Chebbi and the hamada.
Camel trek
A multi-day trek with camels, camping in the dunes.
Gnawa culture
Music and history of the Gnawa in the village of Khamlia.
Oasis farming
Visit palm gardens and the old irrigation channels.
Astronomy night
Learn the stars and constellations in one of the darkest skies.
Sample programme
3-day educational trip
- Day 1: arrival in Merzouga, camel ride to camp, introduction to desert life, stargazing
- Day 2: 4×4 trip – nomad family, Khamlia Gnawa music, fossils, old mines and desert lakes
- Day 3: sunrise, short desert walk with geology talk, breakfast and departure
- Optional: cooking class, sandboarding, volunteer activity at a local school (on request)
Gap year
For gap-year and backpacker groups
Gap-year travellers often want a mix of adventure and real cultural contact. We combine trekking, wild camping, quad bikes and evenings with local families, and we keep prices fair for groups. Our standard tents and wild-camping options are popular with younger travellers.
Safety
Safety and supervision
Teachers and leaders receive a full programme in advance. In the camp we have clear rules for activities, water and sun, and a member of our team is always reachable. Adventure activities like quads are optional and always guided, with helmets and a briefing.
Good to know
Practical information
- Groups from 8 to 80 students
- Free places for teachers on request
- Best months: October to April
- Halal and vegetarian meals
- Bring sun protection, a hat and warm layers
- Price on request – group discounts available
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Message us on WhatsApp at +212 673 555 408 – we usually reply within a few hours.
Yes. We work with experienced local guides, clear safety rules and a contact person available around the clock. Programmes are sent to teachers well before departure.
Yes. We include talks on geology, desert ecology, nomad culture, Gnawa history and oasis farming, adapted to the age of the students.
Most groups stay in standard tents with shared bathrooms. Teachers can have private luxury tents.
Yes. Prices depend on group size and season. Send us your details for a proposal.
Yes. We arrange buses and minibuses from any city or airport in Morocco.
Very much so. Morocco is a short flight from much of Europe, and a few nights in the desert are easy to fit between other countries. Gap-year travellers can join a group or book a camp and activities on their own.
More experiences
You may also like
Your night in the Sahara starts here
Private tents, golden dunes and a sky full of stars – book your stay at Mouhou Desert Camp today.