Merzouga · Erg Chebbi · 1 night
Wild Camping in the Sahara Desert
No other camps, no lights, no noise. Just you, your Berber guide, a crackling fire and the clearest night sky you have ever seen – deep in the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- Private bivouac for your group
- Camel ride included
- Dinner & breakfast by the fire
1 night
More nights on request
R1,580 per person
Per night, all inclusive
Private
Only you and your group
Start: Merzouga
Late afternoon meeting
The experience
Sleep where only the nomads go
Most visitors to Merzouga stay in a fixed desert camp. It is comfortable and fun – but you are rarely alone. Wild camping is different. We load the camels with a simple nomad-style bivouac and ride far into the dunes, away from roads and other camps, to a quiet valley chosen for the night.
Your guide grew up in the desert. He sets up camp, lights the fire and cooks dinner the traditional way, slowly, in a clay tagine. After dinner there is tea, stories, a few Berber songs – and then silence. With no light for kilometres, the Milky Way stretches from one horizon to the other.
In the morning you wake up to the first light touching the dunes, climb to the top of a crest for sunrise and enjoy breakfast before riding back to Merzouga.
- Authentic: the way Berber families have camped for centuries
- Truly private – no other groups around you
- One clear price – nothing hidden
Highlights
Why guests love wild camping
Endless stars
One of the darkest skies on Earth – perfect for stargazing and photos.
Campfire dinner
Tagine cooked slowly over the fire, Berber bread and mint tea.
Sunset & sunrise
Watch both from the top of a high dune, with nobody else around.
Camel ride
Ride deep into the erg – luggage and water travel with us.
Total silence
No generators, no music from other camps – only the wind.
Local guide
A Berber guide who knows every dune and shares desert stories.
Your night
How the experience goes
Times change with the seasons – we always plan around sunset and sunrise. You can extend to two or more nights and combine wild camping with trekking.
- AfternoonMeet your guideMeet us in Merzouga, leave your big luggage safely with us and get your camel.
- Before sunsetRide into the dunesRide (or walk) for about 1.5–2 hours into the heart of Erg Chebbi.
- SunsetGolden hourClimb a high dune and watch the sand change colour.
- EveningCamp & dinnerSet up the bivouac together, mint tea, then dinner cooked on the fire.
- NightStars & storiesStargazing, traditional drums and stories around the campfire.
- SunriseWake up in the desertSunrise from the dunes, breakfast, and the ride back to Merzouga.
Price & what’s included
One clear price – everything included
Included
- Camel ride (or guided walk) into the dunes
- Private wild camp: tent, mattresses, warm blankets
- Dinner, breakfast, mint tea and drinking water
- Berber guide (English, French or Spanish)
- Safe storage for your luggage in Merzouga
Not included
- Transport to Merzouga
- Soft drinks and snacks
- Tips (optional)
€80
per person / night
Private bivouac for your group. Children welcome – ask us about family prices.
Pay 10% deposit online – the rest on arrival. Or pay in full (+5% taxes/TVA).
Wild camping price in South African rand
Wild camping costs R1,580 per person per night, all meals included. For more comfort, our luxury tents start at R1,390; for a longer adventure, see Sahara trekking. Prices in South African rand are approximate – the 10% deposit is charged in euros by PayPal and the rest is paid at the camp.
Good to know
Practical information
- Meeting point: Merzouga village – we send you the exact location after booking
- Wild camping has no toilets or showers – it is part of the adventure
- Nights can be cold from November to March (down to 0–5 °C)
- Online booking closes 6 hours before arrival – contact us for last-minute trips
- Combine with our luxury camp for a comfortable second night
What to bring
- Warm layers and a hat for the night
- Headlamp or torch
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf
- Comfortable closed shoes
- A small bag for the night (big luggage stays with us)
Suitable for
Couples, friends, families with children (6+), photographers and anyone looking for a quiet, authentic night in the desert. No special fitness is needed.
Book online
Book your wild camping night
Choose your date and number of people. Pay a 10% deposit (the rest on arrival) or the full amount securely with PayPal or card – you receive your receipt by email right away.
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. You are always with an experienced local guide who knows the dunes perfectly, and we stay in contact with our main camp by phone.
No – wild camping means no facilities. If you prefer a private bathroom, book our luxury camp or combine both.
Of course. Many guests walk part of the way – the camels still carry the equipment.
In case of strong wind or a sandstorm, your guide may move the night to our fixed camp or we change the date together with you – your safety comes first.
Yes. Many guests combine 2–3 nights of wild camping with a Sahara trek. Contact us for a plan.
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A night you will never forget
Private, silent and full of stars – reserve your wild camping night in the Sahara today.