Two sunsets in one trip, but with real comfort. This Erg Chebbi desert overnight pairs an orange-sky camel ride for the best sunset moments with a camp that feels livable, not just dramatic. I especially like the private tent setup, with a king-size bed, ensuite bathroom, and hot shower.

One thing to plan for: lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included. If you want extra snacks, drinks, or a longer food stretch between meals, you will pay out of pocket.

Key highlights you should care about

• Erg Chebbi sunset camel ride with photo stops, plus a calm ride away from the main noise
• Private 26 sqm tent with ensuite bathroom and hot water shower, so you can actually freshen up
• Sandboarding included, not an extra add-on once you get there
• Dinner and breakfast served with dune views, and meals can match dietary needs
• Campfire time, Berber drum party, and open-air stargazing spaces under the Sahara sky
• Pickup offered and the experience is private, only your group participates

The real draw: sunset camels plus a comfortable tent camp in Merzouga

Merzouga is famous for Erg Chebbi, and for good reason. The dunes look sculpted by time, especially when the sun drops and the light turns honey-gold. What makes this overnight plan smart is the combination: you get the classic camel experience for the sunset, and then you sleep in a camp designed to feel like a base, not a rough stop.

The camp from Shooting Stars Camp is set right in the dunes, with 10 spacious tents. Each tent includes a toilet and a private shower, plus the kind of bed setup that helps you recover after a full day outdoors. The itinerary also keeps you fed and moving at a reasonable pace: tea on arrival, dinner at camp, breakfast with a panoramic view, then return after sunrise.

The practical upside is simple. You can enjoy the big desert moments without spending the whole night worrying about comfort details.

Day 1: from Hassilabied to Erg Chebbi, then tea, dunes, and Berber drums

Your day starts around Hassilabied, Morocco, with the activity ending back at the same meeting point area. Pickup is offered, and you’ll transition into the desert experience from there.

The camel ride into the dunes (30 minutes) and the sunset focus

After your car is parked, you hop on camels and head into Erg Chebbi. The ride is designed around one goal: reaching the best sunset viewing spot with minimal hassle. You ride for about 30 minutes, then the camel guides take you into the dunes where you watch the sun go down.

A nice detail here is that the camel guides are described as professional and are active about pictures. So if you want photos that look like they were planned, you can ask them for help instead of trying to balance your phone while the camel walks.

One timing note that matters for your enjoyment: the sunset moment happens after you get into the dunes, not back at the parking area. That means you are watching the change in light in the desert itself.

Riding to camp after dark, plus tea and pastry welcome

Once the sun has set, you continue toward the camp by camel. When you arrive, the welcome includes tea with almonds and pastry. It’s a small thing, but it sets the tone. You are not dropped into the dark and told to figure it out.

Then you’re introduced to your private tent. It comes with an ensuite bathroom and shower, and the bedding includes a king-size bed plus an additional single bed. That’s helpful if you are traveling with a friend or if you just want the space.

Dinner and the first night sky

Meals are part of the camp experience, not an afterthought. Dinner is served in cozy communal space with panoramic views of the dunes. The meals are buffet-style for breakfast and dinner, and the camp says they can prepare according to dietary needs.

After dinner, the campfire gets going with a party that includes local Berber drums. You can also take a walk under the stars. This is one of those desert moments where you stop thinking about the itinerary and just look up. The camp’s open-air communal spaces are built for that.

Shooting Stars Camp tents: what your private room includes, and why it matters

You’re spending real time in your tent, even if the best parts of the night are outside. So the details matter.

Here’s what I like about this camp setup based on the provided information:

• Each tent is about 26 sqm, with space for comfort and an actual night routine
• King-size bed plus a single bed, so it works for different group setups
• Toilet and private shower inside the tent, which is a huge quality-of-life boost in the desert
• Hot water showers are specifically mentioned, plus basic bathroom items like soap, shampoo, and toilet paper

This is one reason you might choose this overnight option over the bare-minimum desert camps. When you can shower with hot water and use a private bathroom, you feel more human after sunset and before sunrise.

The camp is also described as warm and friendly, with open-air communal areas where you can stargaze. In practice, that means you don’t have to choose between comfort and atmosphere. You can keep your evening social time outside the tent.

Erg Chebbi sandboarding: a included thrill, not a surprise charge

Sandboarding is included, which is great because it removes one common expense headache. Since it’s part of what you pay for, you can plan your energy around it.

That said, the exact timing and skill level support are not spelled out in the details provided. So the practical way to handle it is simple: treat it as a fun desert activity, not an instruction course. If you’re new to sandboarding, wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dusty, and keep expectations focused on the experience of sliding on dunes, not on perfect control.

This included activity also changes the vibe of the overnight. It’s not only “ride, eat, sleep, repeat.” You get a hands-on desert moment in between.

Day 2: sunrise calm, panoramic breakfast, and your return choice

The second morning is built around an easy win: wake early for sunrise. The desert at dawn has a quiet feel, and your schedule is arranged so you can catch that moment. After sunrise, you’ll have fresh breakfast in the camp restaurant with panoramic views.

Breakfast is buffet-style and included. If you have dietary needs, the camp notes meals can be prepared accordingly. So you’re not stuck with a generic plate.

After breakfast, you can return in one of two ways:

• Camel back through the dunes, or
• Jeep return

This is a rare but useful choice. Riding camels back keeps the desert atmosphere going. The jeep option can be better if you want to save energy for the rest of your Morocco trip.

You end back at the meeting point, so the overnight stays self-contained. No long day of transfers right after sunrise, just a straightforward return.

Price and value: what $69.79 covers, and what you may still want to budget

At $69.79 per person for a roughly two-day desert overnight, the big question is value. Here, the value comes from the mix of included services that are otherwise common “add-ons” in Morocco desert tourism.

Your included items cover:

• Camel ride
• Sandboarding
• Private transportation
• Deluxe tent with ensuite bathroom and hot shower
• Dinner and breakfast
• Tea
• Drum party
• Bottled water (only for the meals)

For many travelers, the biggest value driver is the tent and bathroom setup. Shared facilities are where desert trips often feel stressful. Here, the private shower and toilet are explicitly part of the package, plus hot water.

The other value driver is that meals are included twice. Dinner with dune views and breakfast with panoramic views is part of what makes the overnight feel like an experience, not just a night stop.

What is not included:

• Lunch
• Alcoholic beverages

Also, alcohol is only available to adults over 18, per the provided information. If alcohol matters to you, plan to bring money for it or choose tea and water instead.

One more value tip: the camp mentions commission is high and encourages you to contact them directly before booking for better pricing and more details. If you’re flexible and want to compare offers, it can be worth reaching out and asking what the direct rate includes.

How to think about comfort, timing, and expectations

This is a desert overnight. That means you should expect early mornings and a clear rhythm based around light: sunset first, then sunrise.

Two details from the setup help you manage expectations:

1. The camel ride is about 30 minutes plus guided time in the dunes for sunset, rather than a full-day camel trek.
2. Your camp stay includes a private tent with hot shower, plus evening entertainment like the Berber drum party.

So the tour feels like a good balance. You get the signature desert experiences without it turning into a physically exhausting ordeal.

If you care about photos, the guide support during the camel portion is a plus. When guides are willing to help with pictures, you spend less time trying to capture shots and more time actually looking at the dunes and sunset.

Who this Erg Chebbi overnight suits best

This overnight with Shooting Stars Camp is a strong fit if you want:

• A classic Erg Chebbi sunset experience with camels
• A camp that prioritizes private bathroom comfort and hot water
• Included experiences beyond sleep, like sandboarding and the drum party
• A clear, guided schedule with breakfast and dinner handled

It also works well for couples or small groups because the experience is private to your group. You will not be shuffled around into a large mixed crowd, at least based on the provided info.

If you dislike early mornings, this may be the only real drawback in your planning. Sunrise requires waking up fast and moving quickly. The good news is the payoff is built into the schedule with breakfast afterward.

Should you book Shooting Stars Camp’s Erg Chebbi overnight?

Yes, if you want the desert drama of Erg Chebbi plus the practical comfort that makes an overnight actually pleasant. The standout reasons to book are the private ensuite tent with hot shower, the included sandboarding, and the fact that dinner and breakfast are built into the camp setting with panoramic dune views.

I’d say skip it only if:

• You want lunch and alcohol included in the base price
• You hate early mornings tied to sunrise

If neither of those is a deal-breaker for you, this looks like a solid, well-rounded value for an authentic-feeling Saharan night in Merzouga, with the kind of comfort details that keep the experience enjoyable from sunset to sunrise.

FAQ

How long is the Erg Chebbi overnight experience?

It runs for about 2 days.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The activity also starts and ends back at the meeting point area in Hassilabied, Morocco.

What does the camel ride include?

You ride camels into Erg Chebbi, with about 30 minutes of camel riding, plus guided time in the dunes to watch the sunset.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes, sandboarding is included.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included, and tea is included as well. Bottled water is provided for the meals. Lunch is not included.

Does the tent have a private bathroom and hot shower?

Yes. Each deluxe tent includes a toilet and a private shower with hot water.

Is alcohol included?

Alcoholic beverages are not included. The information provided notes that alcoholic beverages are only available to those over 18 years of age.