TRIP Merzouga luxury camp

Pitched at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in southern Morocco, this intimate desert camp occupies a position that most properties in the region simply cannot match. With a rating of 9.5 from its early guests, it has established a clear reputation for delivering on the promise of genuine Saharan immersion without sacrificing comfort. The scale is deliberately small, which means attention to each stay remains focused and the atmosphere stays closer to a private encampment than a commercial operation.

Merzouga sits roughly 50 kilometres south of Erfoud and serves as the principal gateway to Erg Chebbi, one of Morocco's most dramatic sand sea formations. The dunes here rise to around 150 metres and shift colour dramatically between dawn and dusk, making the camp's position directly on their doorstep a genuine geographical asset rather than a marketing claim. The nearest town offers camel handlers, local guides and the odd decent tagine if guests want to venture beyond the site.

Breakfast is included and room service is available, which matters when the alternative is a long walk across sand in the early hours. Family rooms are on offer, making this a reasonable choice for those travelling with children who want something more experiential than a standard Marrakech riad stay. Free parking and reliable wifi round out the practicalities for those arriving by road after the long drive down from the imperial cities, which typically takes the better part of a day from Fès.