Sahara Desert

About Sahara Desert

The Sahara is not simply **the world's largest hot desert — covering 9.2 million square kilometres across 11 countries, roughly the size of the United States** — it is one of the defining geographical facts of human history. The barrier it created between sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean world shaped the development of civilisations, trade routes, and migrations for thousands of years. Yet the Sahara is not static. **Within the last 10,000 years it has oscillated between green and barren multiple times**. Six thousand years ago, in a period geologists call the **African Humid Period or the Green Sahara, much of what is now desert supported savannah, rivers, and lakes**. Rock art found in remote locations across the Sahara depicts **hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and cattle — animals that could not survive there today**. The desert we know is, in geological terms, a relatively recent development. The landscape itself is far more varied than the popular image of endless sand dunes suggests. **Only about 25% of the Sahara is covered by the ergs — the great sand seas**, of which the Grand Erg Oriental in Algeria and the Erg Chebbi in Morocco are among the most dramatic. The rest is a diverse terrain of **rocky hammada plateaus, gravel plains called reg, salt flats, mountain ranges** including the Ahaggar in Algeria and the Tibesti in Chad, and even seasonal rivers. The Sahara contains some of the most extreme environments on Earth: **the highest recorded temperature was 58°C in Libya in 1922**; some areas go years without a drop of rain. For most travellers, the Sahara is accessed from Morocco, particularly the **dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, which are among the most beautiful in the desert**. **Overnight camel treks into the dunes, sleeping under extraordinary star-filled skies in desert camps**, are possible year-round but are most comfortable **between October and April**. Midday temperatures in summer can exceed 45°C. Beyond Morocco, the Algerian Sahara — particularly the **Tassili n'Ajjer plateau with its prehistoric rock art and surreal sandstone formations** — is one of the most remarkable landscapes in Africa, though it requires more planning and a local guide. Tunisia's Tozeur region and Djerba island offer additional desert access from a convenient Mediterranean base.

Highlights

• ✦ World's largest hot desert, covering 9.2 million km²
• ✦ Spans 11 countries across North Africa
• ✦ Sand dunes can reach over 180 m in height

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

Can you reach the Sahara desert in Morocco by train?

Only partway — ONCF's rail network connects Casablanca, Rabat, Fès and Marrakesh efficiently, but the desert dunes at Merzouga or Zagora lie several hours further by road with no rail line built into those regions. Most travellers take the train as far as Marrakesh or Fès, then continue by bus, shared grand taxi or a multi-day organised tour vehicle. Budget around 9 to 10 hours for the onward road journey from Marrakesh to Merzouga.

How much does an overnight desert camp near Merzouga cost?

Basic shared-tent desert camps with a camel trek start from roughly €30 to €50 per person including dinner and breakfast, while private luxury camps with individual en-suite tents can cost €150 or more per night. Prices usually include the sunset and sunrise camel rides but check whether transport from Merzouga village is included separately. Booking through a licensed local operator rather than an unregistered street tout is safer.

What is the best time of year to visit the Sahara in Morocco?

October to April offers far more comfortable daytime temperatures, while summer months from June to August can see daytime highs well above 40°C in the dunes, making midday camel treks unpleasant. Nights are cold year-round in the desert, often dropping close to freezing in winter, so warm layers are essential even after a hot day. Sandstorms can occur, particularly in spring, so flexible plans help.

Is a private tour or public transport better for reaching Merzouga?

A multi-day organised tour from Marrakesh or Fès, often routed through the Atlas Mountains and Todra Gorge, is the most popular option and includes stops most independent travellers would miss on a direct bus. Public buses (CTM or Supratours) run more affordably but with fewer scenic stops and longer overall travel time. Shared grand taxis offer a flexible middle ground for parts of the route.

How big are the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga?

Erg Chebbi covers roughly 50 km north to south and up to 5 km wide, with dunes reaching heights of about 150 metres, among the tallest in Morocco. It formed over thousands of years from wind-blown sand accumulating against the base of the Atlas foothills. The dunes' orange-gold colour, especially vivid at sunrise and sunset, comes from iron oxide in the sand grains.

Explore more

• Morocco
• Algeria
• Egypt
• Libya
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Sudan
• Tunisia
• Chad
• Western Sahara
• Fès

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