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There are three main countries from which one can easily explore the mighty Sahara - Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. While there are many more countries in the Sahara, these three are comparatively safe, tourist-friendly, and have established tourist infrastructure. Egypt is primarily famous for its timeless pyramids and ancient temples - although it also has many tours into the desert.
Tunisia is famous for its great beaches, for the Star Wars movie set, and for camel tours into the desert. Morocco is arguably the most famous country in the world for camel trekking - it is a very affordable country and a very tourist-friendly country. Some would say there is just no beating Morocco's oasis city of Marrakesh.
The Sahara Oasis Of Marrakesh
There are many more attractions in Morocco besides Marrakesh - but no Moroccan itinerary is complete without Marrakesh. It is the gateway to the Sahara. It is the fourth-largest city in Morocco and is in a region that has been inhabited by Berbers since Neolithic times.
- Founded: 1070
- Gateway: To The Sahara
Marrakesh has been nicknamed the "Red City" due to its distinctive red walls. It has long been a primarily cultural center and a key location in trade between the Maghreb (Northwest Africa) and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Souk: Traditional Arab Markets
- Largest: Marrakesh Has The Largest Traditional Market In Morocco
The old fortified part of the city is packed with vendors and their wares. One can buy many of the most exotic goods of North Africa here. It is bustling in the evening as scores of food stalls are set up in the central square. The Medina quarter of Marrakesh is UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Find everything being sold there from exotic spices, to traditional food, to crafts, to Berber carpets, to modern electronics.
What Sahara Tours To Expect In Morocco
There are desert tours from other Moroccan cities too, but many of these go to Marrakesh anyway. There is a full range of tours to choose from - durations range from day tours to multi-week tours. Activities include camel riding, spending a night in a Berber camp, seeing the massive dunes, sand-boarding, Moroccan food cooking lessons, sand baths, and 4x4 tours in the desert.
Morocco is so much cheaper than Spain and other countries in Europe, so one will find one will be able to see and do much more on a tighter budget. Many of these tours are surprisingly affordable.
Activities In The Sahara:
- Camel Trekking
- Traditional Food Making Lessons
- Sand Boarding
- 4x4 Tours
- Camping
Several multi-day tours combine many of these activities and attractions - some may also include all the attractions in one tour. Similar tours can be found in Tunisia and Egypt - but Morocco is especially popular. Marrakesh has long been one of the most sought-after oases in the Sahara - it was also one of Winston Churchill's favorite locations in the world.
Example: Three-Day Camel Tour In The Sahara
One example of a three-day Sahara tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is listed on Viator.com. This is a group tour that takes guests through the Saharan dunes, Berber villages, and stunning mountain landscapes.
Transport is with an air-conditional minivan and gets one off the beaten track. Accommodation is included as are most of the meals (breakfasts and dinners but not lunches). In the evening, guests get to enjoy a tasty traditional tagine meal while being out in the Sahara. By night, camp out in a desert camp in Merzouga and watch the sunset and rise over the desert.
The tour includes a camel ride, hotel transfers, breakfasts, dinners, and more.
- Meals: Breakfasts And Dinners Included
- Cost: From $107
- Accommodation: Desert Camp
- Duration: Three Days/Two Nights
- Guide: Local Tour Guide
This tour is very highly rated with a 5.0 / 5.0-star rating on Viator.com with 922 reviews.
If one would like a similar tour, but as a private tour, then they are also surprisingly affordable in Morocco too. Enjoy a three-day private guided tour in the Sahara similar to the tour above from $320.
Morocco has much more than just the Sahara. It also has the eye-watering (and snow-capped) Atlas Mountains, Mediterranean Beaches, some of the world's best kite-surfing beaches, rich culture, storied traditions, and much more.