Journeys designed and coordinated from Morocco · Since 2009
Two deserts · Two ways to live the Sahara

Erg Chigaga
or Merzouga?

If you are planning a trip to Morocco, you will probably come across two names: Erg Chebbi, in Merzouga, and Erg Chigaga, in the south.

Both have great dunes and both can offer a wonderful experience. But the journey to reach them, the landscape and the way of living the desert are different.

Sahara dunes; illustrative image, not attributed to Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi · Merzouga
The most accessible desert

Merzouga

Erg Chebbi lies in eastern Morocco, near Merzouga. It is a good option if you want to include the desert in a route through the east of the country, especially combined with places such as Fez, Midelt or the Todra and Dades gorges.

The great dunes are very close to the road and there is a wide choice of accommodation and activities.

It may suit you if you are looking for

  • easier access to the desert
  • a greater variety of accommodation
  • combining the Sahara with a route through the east
  • more developed tourist activities and services
Sahara Bless Travel camp in the desert
Erg Chigaga · Southern Morocco
The more remote Sahara

Erg Chigaga

Erg Chigaga lies in southern Morocco, near M'Hamid. To reach the great dunes you leave the tarmac behind and cross the desert by 4x4.

Along the way you meet hamadas, dunes, acacias and open landscapes where the horizon seems never to end. There is less infrastructure and less movement.

It may suit you if you are looking for

  • a stronger sense of seclusion
  • silence and space
  • a less crowded desert
  • exploring the territory by 4x4
  • an experience connected to the landscape and life of the Sahara
Abdoul, in the Sahara desert
A story that matters to us

Erg Chigaga is part of our story.

Abdoul was born in the Sahara and spent his first years among the dunes and nomadic communities. Today he owns his own camp in Erg Chigaga.

We know the territory, its tracks and the people who are part of it. That allows us to design the experience from a real relationship with the place.

So, which is better?

Neither is better.
One simply fits your journey better.

If your route passes through Fez, eastern Morocco and the Dades gorges, Merzouga can be a very logical choice.

If you are looking for the south, more space, less movement and a more remote experience, Erg Chigaga may be the right place.

And if you are still not sure, tell us how you want to travel and we will tell you which one we would choose.

I want to know which one fits my trip ↗