Month by month
Best Time to Visit Merzouga & the Sahara
October to April: warm days, cold starry nights and manageable crowds. What each month is like, so you can choose yours.
Sunset over Erg Chebbi. Photograph: Thomas Fuhrmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Avoid
- June to August
- Winter nights
- Near freezing
- Book ahead
- 6–8 weeks in peak
By City Tours Morocco Editorial Team
Published 17 June 2026 Last updated 29 October 2026
The Short Answer
October, November, March and April are the best months to visit Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Daytime highs sit between 24 and 32 °C, the nights are cold (and the stars very bright), and you can ride a camel across the dunes at sunset in comfort.
In the Sahara, timing decides whether you get a fine night under the stars or an afternoon when you cannot step outside between noon and 5 pm. In July and August, average highs in Merzouga are above 40 °C. The shoulder months have their quirks too, and winter catches people out with nights just above freezing.
Merzouga Weather at a Glance
Indicative temperature ranges. Actual conditions vary from year to year.
| Month | Day | Night | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | 16–20 °C | 2–6 °C | Moderate | Excellent |
| March – April | 24–30 °C | 8–14 °C | High | Peak season |
| May | 32–37 °C | 16–20 °C | Moderate | Good (early May only) |
| June – August | 40–44 °C | 24–28 °C | Low | Avoid if possible |
| September | 36–40 °C | 20–24 °C | Low–moderate | Transition month |
| October – November | 26–32 °C | 10–16 °C | High | Peak season |
| December | 18–22 °C | 4–8 °C | Moderate (high over Christmas) | Very good |
Month-by-Month: What Is Merzouga Actually Like?
The numbers are one thing; what each month feels like on the dunes is another.
- January – February
- Excellent16–20 °C by day, 2–6 °C at nightClear blue skies and cold nights, good for stargazing. Pack a real warm layer: January nights can drop to just above freezing. Sandstorms are possible, but conditions are generally excellent for camel treks and camp stays.
- March – April
- Peak season24–30 °C by day, 8–14 °C at nightOne of the two best windows of the year. Days are warm without being harsh and the light suits photography. This is a busy period, so book early.
- May
- Good (early May only)32–37 °C by day, 16–20 °C at nightTemperatures climb fast. Early May is fine; by late May midday can reach 38–40 °C. Plan the camel trek for late afternoon and stay out of the midday sun.
- June – August
- Avoid if possible40–44 °C by day, 24–28 °C at nightAverage highs are above 40 °C and the dunes give off heat after dark. Camel treks are uncomfortable and can be dangerous in the heat of the day. If summer is your only option, move every activity to dawn.
- September
- Transition month36–40 °C by day, 20–24 °C at nightStill hot, especially early in the month. By late September the heat eases noticeably and the dunes are quieter; aim for the final week if you can.
- October – November
- Peak season26–32 °C by day, 10–16 °C at nightThe autumn twin of March and April. The heat has gone, the light is long and golden, and cooler nights make sleeping in a tent comfortable. October is warm enough to ride a camel in a T-shirt and cold enough at night to need a blanket.
- December
- Very good18–22 °C by day, 4–8 °C at nightShort days and clear skies. Cool, pleasant weather for walking the dunes, and very good stars. Christmas and New Year bring a spike in visitors, so book well ahead for those weeks.
Practical Tips for Any Season
Book early for the busy weeks
Book camp stays 6–8 weeks ahead for October, March–April and Christmas week.Pack a warm layer in any season
The desert cools quickly after sunset, even when the day was hot.Ride at the cool ends of the day
The camel trek is best at sunset. In summer, a trek before dawn is the safer choice.Stay facing the erg
Merzouga village sits at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, so there is no long transfer once you arrive. Accommodation facing the erg gives you the sunrise from your door.Pick a dark night for stars
Winter nights are the longest, and a night without the moon is the darkest. Merzouga is far from city lights.
Getting to Merzouga: Logistics in Brief
Merzouga is about 9 hours by road from Marrakech and 7–8 hours from Fes, with no train and no direct flight. Most travellers arrive on a multi-day circuit.
| Option | From Marrakech | From Fes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private tour vehicle | Longer, with stops | Longer, with stops | Most comfortable; flexible pace; guide included |
| CTM / Supratours bus | Check current timetable | Check current timetable | Budget option; no flexibility on stops |
| Self-drive rental car | ~9 hrs (no stops) | ~7–8 hrs (no stops) | Roads are paved and good. GPS essential. Fuel up in Erfoud. |
| Shared grand taxi | Via multiple legs | Via multiple legs | Cheapest but exhausting; several changes of taxi |
Questions
Merzouga & Sahara Desert FAQs
What is the best month to visit the Sahara in Morocco?
October and March are generally considered the best months for Merzouga. Both have daytime temperatures in the mid to upper twenties Celsius: warm enough for a camel trek in a light shirt, cool enough to enjoy the dunes at midday. Nights are cold but not freezing, which suits stargazing. If you can only go once, aim for the second half of October or the first two weeks of April.
Is it too hot to visit Merzouga in summer?
For most travellers, yes. Average daytime highs in July and August are above 40 °C, and even sunset camel treks can be stifling because the sand gives off stored heat for hours after the sun drops. Canvas tents are slow to cool down. If summer is your only window, do everything outdoors at dawn (6:00–8:30 am) and stay in air-conditioned accommodation in the afternoon. Otherwise, consider moving your trip.
Does it ever snow in the Sahara desert in Morocco?
Very rarely, and it is more of a curiosity than a planning concern. The real cold-weather issue in winter is the overnight temperature, which can drop to 1–3 °C inside unheated tents.
What is the temperature in Merzouga in December?
December daytime highs in Merzouga are typically about 18 to 22 °C. Nights are cold, often 4–8 °C and sometimes lower in late December. The dunes are comfortable to walk, and you will sleep under a proper blanket in camp. Days are short, so the evening camel trek starts earlier. Pack a warm mid-layer and a windproof outer shell.
Can I visit the Sahara in Ramadan?
Yes. Restaurants and cafés in Merzouga village may be closed during daylight hours, and guides and camel handlers who are fasting may keep a slower pace. The communal iftar meal at sunset, when the fast is broken, is part of the day. A private guided tour can arrange food and water for you during the day. The dunes themselves are unchanged, and Ramadan weeks outside the peak seasons are often quieter.
What should I pack for a Merzouga desert camp overnight?
Even in summer, pack at least one warm layer. In winter (November to February), bring a fleece or down jacket and wool socks. All year, bring a headscarf or buff against blowing sand, closed shoes for the camel trek (sand gets into sandals), a torch, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. Camps provide bedding, so you will not need a sleeping bag in most seasons. Leave your main luggage in the vehicle or at your hotel; a small bag is enough for one night.
How far in advance should I book a Merzouga camp stay?
For the peak windows (late March to mid-April, October, and Christmas to New Year), book at least 6–8 weeks ahead for a good mid-range or luxury camp. In January, February or September you can often arrange things a week or two ahead. A private guided tour usually books the camp as part of the package.
