A Night in the Sahara Desert: Merzouga, Morocco

Sundown on the dunes of Erg Chebb, Morocco.

Sundown on the Dunes
The desert is a magic place at nightfall – and it was a real gift being able to watch sunset over the dunes of Erg Chebb at the western edge of the Sahara in Morocco.

I’m sure I’m not alone in drawing parallels between the end of the year and the end of a day.

And, seeing camel trains always makes me think of the Christmas story of the three wise men.

This year, my gift to myself was a trip to one of my long-time dream-destinations: Morocco. My three and a half weeks in this colourful North African country was everything I had hoped, and there were countless highlights (eg: Walking around Imlil). Watch this space!

But, as the current year draws to a close, I’ve been taking time to reflect, and I keep thinking about my night in the desert: at the very north-western edge of the Sahara Desert, not far from the Algerian border.

The overnight trip to the Golden Camp, near the small town of Merzouga, involved a short and thrilling ride into the sandy dunes of Erg Chebb, followed by a camel ride on the most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever experienced! My tent in the desert camp was wonderful – complete with hot water and a working wifi. But, while the camp feels secluded, the area is crowded: at night, the sight of the myriad stars was somewhat offset by the noise of the neighbouring campsite only a short distance away.

I walked into the dunes at dusk in search of a peaceful sunset, and found myself surrounded by tire tracks and the noise of evening dune buggies.

So, like this past year, the night wasn’t quiet and it wasn’t peaceful!

But, I do love the desert, and it was a wonderful and unique experience, and I feel extremely fortunate to have enjoyed it.

Join me for an evening in the sands of the Sahara.

View of sand through the wind screen of a car, Erg Chebb, Morocco.

The Sahara in our Windscreen
We piled into four wheel drives in the small village of Merzouga, and raced west into the Sahara. (iPhone15Pro)

View from the Four Wheel Drive
The dunes of the Sahara loop and fold on the arid landscape outside our windows. (iPhone15Pro)

Camels at the Ready
The second half of our journey into the Sahara was by camel.

Bedouin
The camel handlers are striking in their piled turbans and colourfully embroidered clothes.

Waving Sands
It wasn’t easy taking pictures while loping camel-back – but I couldn’t resist! (iPhone15Pro)

Shadow Selfie
It’s early evening, and the lowering sun stretches the shadows long across the waving sands. (iPhone15Pro)

A Table on the Hill
It’s a quirky scene: delicate furniture sits atop the hard-packed dunes.

Desert Camp
Being at the very edge of the vast Sahara, this is a busy region. The neighbouring camp was close by.

Folds of Sand

Nature’s Artworks : Waves and Grass

Desert Patterns
Although arid, the desert is not barren. You have to wonder what made these tracks!

Footprint in the Sand
The colours change with every shift in the light. I leave my own footprints next to tiny animal tracks as I climb to a vantage point.

Waiting for Sunset
The neighbouring dunes are busy as the sun lowers in the sky.

Chasing Sunset
Dune buggies, trucks, camels, and people are on every ridge.

People in the Sunset
The sky only stays golden for a few minutes …

Sunset in the Dunes
… before the sun drops behind the dunes, and people make their way back to their respective camps. For a moment, everything was quiet. (iPhone15Pro)