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Family-focused guide
Sahara Desert Tour with Kids
The Sahara is one of the best places in Morocco to take children — if you go at the right time, plan the drive sensibly and choose a camp that works for families. Here is everything you need to know.
Omar Benali· Sahara & Southern Routes Editor
A former desert driver turned writer, Omar has guided and travelled the routes from Ouarzazate to Merzouga and Zagora for years. He writes about the Sahara, kasbah roads and the Draa and Dades valleys. Ouarzazate · 14+ years covering Morocco
Published 6 July 2024 Last updated 20 February 2026
Taking children to the Sahara is genuinely one of the most memorable things you can do as a family in Morocco. The dunes are a natural playground — boundless, soft, and dramatic in a way that requires no explanation to a seven-year-old. The camel trek at sunset, the Milky Way overhead, the drumming at camp: these are the moments that tend to survive childhood and turn into adult memories.
That said, the Sahara is not a spontaneous detour. Merzouga, home to the towering Erg Chebbi dunes, is around 560 km southeast of Marrakech — a serious drive. The heat in summer is not safe for children, and standard group tours run on fixed schedules that do not accommodate small people who need toilet stops or impromptu naps. The families who have the best time here are the ones who plan it as a proper multi-day trip, in a private vehicle, and at the right time of year.
The four questions every parent asks first
Here are the honest answers — no sugarcoating.
Age suitability
Children aged 4 and up handle the camel trek comfortably — younger toddlers can ride in a parent's arms or skip the camel and go by 4x4 to camp. There is no upper age limit: grandparents make the trek regularly.
The long drive
Marrakech to Merzouga is roughly 8–9 hours by road. Breaking it over two days — sleeping in the Dades Valley or Boumalne midway — keeps kids (and adults) sane. A private vehicle means stops whenever the back seat demands it.
Safety in the dunes
The Erg Chebbi dunes are steep but not dangerous if you stay with a guide and dress for the evening chill. Desert camps are enclosed, quiet, and far more relaxed than a city medina. Scorpion encounters are very rare and guides are trained to manage them.
The wow factor
Kids who have slept in the Sahara and watched the Milky Way appear overhead tend to describe it as the best night of their trip. The dunes are endlessly climbable. Sand does the work that playgrounds do.
When to go with children
The sweet spots for families are March–April and October–November. Days sit comfortably around 22–30°C, evenings cool to 10–15°C (bring layers), and the desert light for sunset is extraordinary.
- Ideal
Oct–Nov & Mar–Apr
Warm days, cool nights, low crowds
- Possible
Dec–Feb
Cold nights (~5°C); pack properly, fewer crowds
- Manageable
May–Jun
Getting hot; depart and arrive early in the day
- Avoid with kids
Jul–Aug
45°C+ midday; genuinely unsafe for children
Family-friendly activities in Merzouga
The Erg Chebbi area has more to offer than a single camel photo. Here is the practical breakdown by age.
| Activity | Suitable from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Camel trek at sunset | Age 4+ | Short (40–60 min) and gentle; guides lead the camels, so no riding skill needed. |
| Sandboarding | Age 7+ | Boards are rented in Merzouga village for ~80 MAD/hour. Toddlers can sled sitting down. |
| Quad biking | Age 14+ (as driver) | Younger children can sit with an adult driver. Book through local operators in Merzouga. |
| Stargazing at camp | All ages | Zero light pollution; the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye most clear nights. |
| Dune climbing | Age 3+ | Free, exhausting, and wonderful. Bring the torch for after-dark ascents. |
| Drumming & music at camp | All ages | Most camps include an evening of Gnawa percussion. Kids are always invited to try. |
What to pack for the Sahara with children
Standard Merzouga packing, adapted for the reality of travelling with small people.
Sun hats + SPF 50 sunscreen
Shade is scarce; desert sun is fierce even in spring
Warm layer per child
Desert nights drop sharply — even in May, 10–15°C after dark
Neck scarves or buffs
Protect faces during windy dune climbs
Closed-toe shoes
Sand gets hot; flip-flops work for camp but not dune climbing
Reusable water bottles
Camps provide water; avoid single-use plastic
Wipes and hand sanitiser
Running water is available at good camps but bring backup
Motion sickness tablets
Mountain roads involve hairpin bends — dose before departure
Headlamps or torches
Camp paths are unlit; children love having their own
Small backpack per child
For the camel trek; leave main luggage in the vehicle
How to structure a family Sahara trip
The biggest mistake families make is trying to do Merzouga in two days from Marrakech. That means two days of 8-hour driving — brutal for adults, impossible with children. The version that works looks like this:
- 1
Day 1: Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Benhaddou → Dades Valley
Leave Marrakech by 7:30 am. The High Atlas pass is spectacular and the road keeps changing, which holds attention. Stop at the ksar of Aït Benhaddou — children usually recognise the architecture from Gladiator or Game of Thrones clips. Sleep in the Dades Valley (around 6 hours total driving, broken into chunks).
- 2
Day 2: Dades → Todra Gorge → Merzouga → camel trek at sunset
Walk the Todra Gorge floor — the 300-metre walls closing around you genuinely impresses primary-school children. Arrive in Merzouga by 4 pm, leaving time to settle at camp before the camel trek. Evening includes drumming and a bonfire. Sleep under the stars.
- 3
Day 3: Sunrise dunes → Merzouga activities → begin return
Early dune climb for sunrise (even young children manage this with the right shoes). After breakfast, optional sandboarding or quad biking before the drive north. If returning to Marrakech, overnight again in the Dades to avoid a single 8-hour return slog.
Minimum duration
4 days / 3 nights
Indicative cost (family 4)
From ~$800–$1,400
Best base for dunes
Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
Why a private guided tour makes sense for families
Group minibuses run on fixed timetables: if a child needs a toilet stop in the middle of the Ziz Valley gorge, that is not the group’s problem. A private vehicle stops when you need it to. Your driver-guide can also shift pace — linger longer at the Todra Gorge because the children are loving it, move faster through sections that bore them.
A guide who knows the region also handles camp bookings, camel trek logistics and activity coordination — things that require local contacts and Darija to negotiate well. For families, the single biggest upside is simply not being responsible for navigating eight hours of unfamiliar roads with children who want to know when you’ll arrive.
Stop whenever children need it Pace adjusted to your family Guide handles camp logistics Pre-booked camel treks Larger vehicles for luggage No shared schedule pressure
Family Sahara tour: common questions
Is the Sahara desert safe to visit with young children?
Yes — Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi area are among the safer desert destinations in North Africa. The region is well-touristed, road access is straightforward, and reputable camps are enclosed compounds with friendly staff. The main risks to manage are dehydration and sunburn, both easily handled with sensible preparation. A private tour means you have a guide with you the entire journey, which removes almost all the logistical stress that might otherwise affect younger travellers.
What age is suitable for a camel ride in Merzouga?
Most operators welcome children from around age 4 onward on solo camel seats, though guides can judge each child individually. Younger toddlers (2–3 years) can ride with a parent on a double saddle. Camels in Merzouga are well-trained working animals that walk steadily — the pace is slow and the ride lasts 40–60 minutes each way. If a child decides mid-trek they're done, it's easy to arrange a 4x4 pickup from camp.
Are there family rooms at Merzouga desert camps?
Good camps have interconnecting tents or larger family tents designed specifically for parents with children. Standard luxury camps offer ensuite tents (private toilet, basic shower) that sleep 2–4. Budget camps have shared facilities, which works fine for older children but is trickier with toddlers. When booking, specify the ages of your children so the camp can assign appropriate accommodation — a private tour operator will do this automatically.
How do I keep kids entertained on the long drive to Merzouga?
The route itself helps — the drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the stop at Aït Benhaddou's mud-brick ksar, the walk through the narrowing Todra Gorge, and the first glimpse of the orange dunes all break up the journey naturally. Build the drive over two days rather than one: sleep in the Dades Valley, let children run around the gorge in the morning, then continue. Download films and podcasts as backup; some sections of the route have limited mobile data. A private driver will stop whenever needed.
What family-friendly activities are available in the Merzouga desert?
Beyond the signature camel trek and sunrise dune climb, Merzouga offers sandboarding, quad biking, fossil-hunting in the surrounding hamada (rocky desert), and visits to the ksar at Rissani market — one of the most authentic souks in the south. At camp, children can join drumming sessions, collect interesting rocks, and gaze at one of the darkest skies in Morocco. The pace is entirely flexible when you're on a private tour.
What is the best time of year to take children to the Sahara?
March, April, October, and November offer the most comfortable temperatures — warm days around 25–30°C and cool evenings perfect for sleeping. Avoid July and August: midday temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, which is genuinely dangerous for children. January and February are cold at night (near 5°C) but beautiful and crowd-free — make sure you pack proper warm layers for the whole family.
How much does a family desert tour to Merzouga cost?
Indicatively, a private 3-day tour for a family of four (Marrakech → Sahara → return or onward to Fes) runs from around 8,000–14,000 MAD (roughly $800–$1,400), depending on the vehicle size, camp tier, and route. Per-person, that often undercuts shared group tours once you factor in the flexibility of stopping for toilet breaks, meal times suited to children, and a vehicle large enough for everyone's luggage. Camel treks and sandboard hire are usually quoted separately at camp.
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