Frequently asked questions
The questions travellers send us most often. If yours is not here, write to us — we answer every message, and the awkward questions are usually the useful ones.
When is the best time to visit southern Morocco?
October to April is the most comfortable period for the desert and the south. Spring, from March to May, adds almond and rose blossom and green valleys. July and August regularly pass 45 °C in the Sahara, though trips still run and the nights are pleasant. Winter days are mild and clear, but nights in the desert and the mountains fall close to freezing.
How many days do I need to see the Sahara from Marrakech?
Three days is the minimum to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and return, giving you one full night in the desert. Two days is only enough for Zagora, where the dunes are smaller. Five days lets you spend a whole day at the dunes instead of arriving at sunset and leaving at dawn, which is the version we recommend when time allows.
Are your tours private or shared?
All of our tours are private. You travel with your own driver-guide and vehicle, with no other travellers joining, and the itinerary can be changed as you go. Prices are quoted for the whole group, which is why per-person cost falls as the group grows.
What languages do your guides speak?
Our drivers and guides are local Berbers and nomads who speak English, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Tell us your preferred language when you enquire and we will assign a guide who speaks it.
Do I need a 4x4 for these trips?
Not always. The main routes to Merzouga, Zagora and the gorges are paved and comfortable in a minibus or car. A 4x4 is needed for the Ounila Valley road to Telouet, for desert pistes around Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, and for reaching some remote villages. We match the vehicle to the itinerary.
What is a desert camp actually like?
Camps sit in hollows between the dunes, reached by an hour's camel ride or by 4x4. Standard camps have Berber tents with real beds, blankets and shared bathroom tents. Luxury camps add private en-suite bathrooms with hot water. Dinner is usually tagine, followed by drumming around a fire, and the night sky is exceptionally dark.
Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days as tourists. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Requirements change, so confirm with the Moroccan consulate for your nationality before booking flights.
Is Morocco safe for solo and female travellers?
Yes, and a large share of our travellers are solo or female. On a private tour you are with the same guide throughout, who handles the logistics and the local contact. Normal precautions apply in the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, and modest dress attracts less attention in rural areas and villages.
What should I pack for the desert?
Layers, because the temperature swing between afternoon and night is large all year. Bring a warm jacket even in spring, closed shoes for walking and dune climbing, a scarf or turban against sand and sun, high-factor sun cream, and a headtorch for camp. Camps supply blankets; a small bag for one night saves carrying everything onto the camel.
Can you collect us from our riad inside the medina?
Yes. Where cars cannot reach your riad — which is common in the Marrakech and Fes medinas — we meet you at the nearest vehicle access point, and your riad will know exactly where that is. Tell us the riad name when you book and we will arrange it.
Can the itinerary be changed to suit us?
Yes. Every trip on this site is a starting point rather than a fixed schedule. We routinely change the start or end city, add or remove days, swap a desert night for a mountain one, or build something entirely new around your dates and interests. Send us what you have in mind and we will come back with a plan.
How do I book, and what deposit is required?
Send us your dates and what you would like to see, by email or on WhatsApp, and we will reply with an itinerary and a price, usually within 24 hours. Once you are happy with the plan we confirm the booking and agree the payment arrangement with you directly.
What is your cancellation policy?
Contact us for the current cancellation terms, which we confirm in writing when your booking is made. Plans change and we would rather you told us early than not at all.