A night in the Sahara starts with mint tea. Then the camels do the rest, carrying you to a small Bedouin camp in the dunes. What makes this one special is the family-run feel, plus the focus on nomad and Berber life around campfire time.

I love how the evening is built around real rhythm, sunset camel ride, then tea time and dinner under the desert sky. You also get sandboarding, and you can wear Berber dress like a turbant and jalaba, which turns the night into something more than just a ride and a bed.

One thing to consider: the camp experience is simple, and your tent setup includes a shared bathroom. If you expect hotel-level comfort, this might feel basic, even if it’s clean and comfortable.

Key highlights before you go

• Small group size (max 10), so the camp feels human, not assembly-line.
• Sunset and sunrise by camel, paced by a local camel guide.
• Mint tea at the start and again at camp, with snacks included.
• Berber music with drums by the fire, plus stargazing after dinner.
• Sandboarding is included, not an add-on.
• Berber dress included (turbant and jalaba) for photo-ready fun.

Merzouga meet-up at 3 pm: tea, pickup, and the start of the desert

This camel trek runs on a clear schedule, with a 3:00 pm start time. If you arrive by bus, the team does a pickup. If you come by car, there’s free parking, so you can skip the hassle of finding someone to meet you in town.

In the meeting area, you get Moroccan mint tea with the local family before you head out. I like this part because it’s not just a drink, it’s the tone-setter. You get a quick sense of who you’re traveling with, and you settle into the desert mood before the camels move.

Also, the group size is capped at 10 travelers maximum. That matters. With fewer people in the mix, the timing feels calmer and the camp feels more personal.

The sunset camel ride: guided, traditional, and built for the dunes

Once it’s time, the camels are ready for the ride to camp for sunset. This isn’t just you hopping on and going. You’ll ride with a camel guide, and the experience is paced around the dunes and the light.

Expect a slow, steady ride where you can actually look around. One of the best parts is the feeling that you’re moving with the environment, not rushing through it. When you’re traveling this far from normal city life, that slower pace helps a lot.

And since the plan is to reach camp for sunset, the ride feels purposeful. You’re not wondering when the magic moment will happen. It’s built in.

The Bedouin camp in Hassi Labied: private tents, drums, and star time

Camp is set up as a Bedouin camp, using tents that connect back to nomad life in the Sahara. The hosts are local Berber people who grew up living in the desert, then later based themselves in Hassi Labied village. That background shows in how the evening is run, stories, music, and attention to guests.

Inside camp, you’ll get another tea time, plus dinner. The plan includes water in the camp, so you’re not stuck trying to find something to drink after you arrive. Dinner is part of the rhythm, and after that comes the part you’ll remember most: Berber music with drums around the fire.

Then you transition into stargazing. The sky is a big feature here, and the program is specifically geared toward watching the night sky and shooting stars. When a camp is small, that kind of slow night viewing feels easy. Nobody has to queue for anything.

Your tent and bathroom setup

You’ll sleep in a private tent. The bathroom is shared, which is the main comfort trade-off of this experience. You do get the option for a shower after the trip if you need it.

I’d treat this like a night in the desert, not a hotel stay. If you pack that mindset, you’ll enjoy it more.

Sandboarding and Berber dress: the fun block you can actually plan around

After the main arrival and dinner flow, you’ll have time for activities included in the price. The big one listed here is sandboarding.

This is great for two reasons. First, it gives you physical fun after a long day of travel and camel time. Second, it gives you a clear, structured activity so the night doesn’t feel like it’s just waiting around for stargazing.

You’ll also be able to wear Berber dress, including a turbant and jalaba. This isn’t just a costume handed to you. It helps you understand how people dress in Berber culture, and it makes the whole camp feel like you stepped into daily life, not just into a tourist show.

If you’re the type who loves photos, this also helps. But I’d focus on the experience, not just the picture. The value is the way these moments are woven into the evening.

Sunrise the next morning: camel return, breakfast, and a final shower

In the morning, the camp wakes you up for sunrise. Sunrise is another key part of the plan, and it’s done by camel again, so you’re still moving like a desert traveler rather than just sightseeing from one spot.

After the sunrise moment, you’ll have breakfast. Again, this is a rhythm choice. You don’t rush out cold and hungry. You get a meal planned into the schedule before returning.

When you’re done, the camels bring you back to the meeting point. From there, you can use the shower after the trip if needed, which is a nice practical touch if you want to keep traveling afterward without feeling sandy and stale.

In total, the experience runs about 20 hours (approx.), starting at 3 pm. So you’re committing to a full half-day plus the night, then the next morning.

Price and value: what $52.34 gets you in Merzouga

At $52.34 per person, this is priced for what you actually do, not just where you sleep. You’re paying for a bundle of desert time that includes:

• Camel ride (with camel per person) and a camel guide
• Sunset and sunrise by camel
• Tea time and snacks
• Dinner at camp
• Berber music with drums around the fire
• Sandboarding
• Berber dress (turbant and jalaba)
• Water in camp
• Private tent with a shared bathroom
• Optional shower after the trip

A lot of cheaper desert “deals” strip out one or two big pieces like sandboarding, music, or the sunrise experience. Here, the package is built around those core moments.

The fact that it’s commonly booked about 19 days in advance suggests steady demand. That’s not a promise of quality on its own, but it does hint this is one of the more popular ways to do Merzouga without overcomplicating things.

What’s not included is also clear. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included, and tips are not included. If you want sodas or drinks, plan to cover that separately.

Who should book this camel trek, and who should rethink it

This is a good match if you want:

• A small, family-run camp feel
• Real desert timing, sunset and sunrise
• Included cultural elements, tea, dinner, drums, and Berber dress
• At least one activity beyond riding, sandboarding

It also says service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. If you want an experience that works for couples, groups, or even a family situation, the structure does feel designed for it.

If you want ultra-comfort, consider carefully

The camp is described as simple, even if it’s comfortable. The bathroom is shared. So if you need quiet, private bathrooms, or you hate any hint of “basic camp life,” you might find this less satisfying.

But if you’re okay with a clean desert camp setup and you’re there for the stars, drumming, and camel rides, this is the kind of night you’ll still be talking about later.

Practical tips that help you enjoy the ride more

Here are the practical bits that make the experience smoother, based on how the program is set up:

• Go in expecting a full 20-hour experience. Eat normally before you start, and accept that your next proper meal is dinner at camp.
• Dress for desert temperature swings. Even if the day is warm, the night can feel cool. You might want layers you can handle on the camel ride.
• Bring a little patience for the shared bathroom setup. It’s part of the format, not a surprise.
• If you want bottled drinks or alcohol, remember soft drinks and alcohol aren’t included.
• If you care about photos, the turbant and jalaba time is your moment. Use it during the camp period when you’re not rushed.

Finally, if you’re traveling by bus, confirm pickup timing in advance. The start time is fixed at 3 pm, so being on time makes the whole evening smoother.

Should you book Camel Treks in Morocco Sahara desert (Merzouga)?

If you want a Merzouga night that feels like desert life, not like a checklist, I’d book this. The best parts are baked in: sunset and sunrise by camel, mint tea, dinner, drums by the fire, stargazing, plus sandboarding and Berber dress. The small group cap at 10 travelers is a big deal for how the camp feels.

Skip it only if you need hotel-level comfort, because the accommodation is simple and the bathroom is shared. If you can handle that trade-off, this is strong value for what you get, and it’s the kind of Sahara experience that feels real.

FAQ

What time does the camel trek start in Merzouga?

The experience starts at 3:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts about 20 hours (approx.).

Is pickup offered if I don’t drive?

Yes. If you come by bus, the provider offers pickup.

If I drive, is there parking?

Yes. There is free parking if you come by car.

How many people are in the group?

This experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What’s included with the camp stay?

You get a camel ride with a camel guide, tea time and snacks, water in camp, dinner, Berber music with drums around the fire, sandboarding, Berber dress (turbant and jalaba), and a private tent with shared bathroom.

Are alcohol or soft drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

If you’d like, tell me your travel month and whether you’re coming by bus or car, and I’ll help you plan what to wear and how to time your day around the 3 pm start.