Sahara & South
Overview
Southern Morocco encompasses the vast territory between the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains and the edge of the Sahara Desert. This is a land of dramatic contrasts — lush palm oases fed by snowmelt from the Atlas alongside barren, sun-scorched hammada (rocky desert); ancient red-earth kasbahs and fortified villages rising from the desert floor; and the spectacular Erg Chebbi dune field where golden sand dunes tower up to 150 meters. The region follows several major river valleys — the Draa, Dades, Todra, and Ziz — each lined with palm groves and dotted with kasbahs that once served as stops on the trans-Saharan caravan routes. Ouarzazate, at the crossroads of the main routes, has earned the nickname 'Hollywood of Morocco' for its film studios and cinematic landscapes. The entire southern route from Marrakech through Ouarzazate to Merzouga and the Sahara dunes is one of Morocco's most popular travel itineraries, typically undertaken as a 3-day journey.
regionDetail.topExperiences
Best things to do in Sahara & South
Camel Trek and Desert Camp at Erg Chebbi
Ride a dromedary camel into the golden dunes at sunset, spend the night in a desert camp under a canopy of stars, and wake to watch the sunrise paint the Sahara in shades of gold and orange.
Explore the Todra Gorge
Walk between 300-meter limestone canyon walls that narrow to just 10 meters apart, creating one of Morocco's most dramatic natural formations. Rock climbers from around the world come for the challenging cliff routes.
Visit Ait Benhaddou
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage fortified village that has served as the backdrop for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and dozens of other films, climbing to the top for panoramic views of the Ounila River valley.
Drive the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Follow the N10 highway from Ouarzazate through the Dades Valley, passing crumbling kasbahs, oasis villages, and the spectacular hairpin turns of the Dades Gorge road.
Cities in Sahara & South
Explore destinations in this region
Ouarzazate
Sahara & South
Known as the Gateway to the Sahara and the Hollywood of Morocco, Ouarzazate sits at the crossroads of the Atlas Mountains and the desert. The nearby UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou kasbah, Atlas Film Studios where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed, and the dramatic Draa Valley lined with palm oases make this a base for exploring Morocco's most cinematic landscapes.
Merzouga
Sahara & South
A small desert village on the edge of the magnificent Erg Chebbi dune field, Merzouga is Morocco's premier Sahara destination. Towering golden dunes rising up to 150 meters provide the backdrop for camel treks, luxury desert camps, sandboarding, and some of the most spectacular stargazing and sunrises on the African continent.
Best Time to Visit
Recommended Period
October to April — The cooler months are essential for comfortable desert visits. October-November and March-April offer the best balance of warmth and bearable temperatures. Mid-summer (June-August) brings extreme heat exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, making desert excursions inadvisable.
Food & Specialties
Southern cuisine is simpler than the imperial cities, reflecting Berber and desert traditions. Dishes are hearty and practical, designed for communities living in a harsh environment.
Madfouna (Berber pizza) — Stuffed bread baked in sand beneath hot coals, filled with meat, onions, and spices
Berber tagine — Simple, satisfying tagines with local vegetables and goat or lamb
Dates — The Draa Valley and Tafilalet produce Morocco's finest dates, especially the prized Mejhool variety
Medfouna — Regional bread stuffed with spiced meat, a specialty of Rissani
Desert camp cooking — Tagines and bread cooked over open fires under the stars
Getting There
How to reach Sahara & South
By Air
Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ) has limited domestic flights. Errachidia (ERH) serves the eastern approach to Merzouga. Most visitors drive or take organized tours from Marrakech or Fes.
By Train
No train service exists south of the Atlas Mountains. The nearest stations are Marrakech and Fes.
By Bus
CTM and Supratours buses connect Ouarzazate to Marrakech (4-5 hours via Tizi n'Tichka), and continue to Zagora, Tinghir, Errachidia, and Rissani (near Merzouga). Supratours runs a direct Fes-Rissani service.
Getting Around
A rental car or hired driver is by far the best way to explore the south. The main highways are well-maintained. Grand taxis operate between towns. Organized 2-3 day tours from Marrakech or Fes are the most popular way for visitors to experience the Sahara route, including transport, accommodation, and camel trek.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Sahara & South
Budget
Desert guesthouses from 150-300 MAD ($15-30). Basic desert camp (camel trek, dinner, breakfast) from 250-500 MAD ($25-50) per person.
Mid-Range
Kasbah-hotels from 400-1,200 MAD ($40-120). Mid-range desert camps with better facilities from 500-1,500 MAD.
Luxury
Luxury kasbah properties and premium desert glamping camps from 2,000-5,000+ MAD ($200-500+). Some offer private dune experiences with gourmet dining.
Safety
The southern region is safe for travelers. The main risks are environmental: extreme heat, cold desert nights, dehydration, and sunburn. Always carry water and sun protection. Desert driving on unpaved tracks requires 4WD and experience — stay on paved roads unless with a knowledgeable guide. Some desert camps are very basic; research reviews before booking. The roads through mountain passes and gorges are well-maintained but require attentive driving.
Travel Tips
Insider advice for Sahara & South
- 1The standard Marrakech-Merzouga route takes 2-3 days with stops. Do not try to drive it in one day — it is 550 km of mountain and desert roads.
- 2Book desert camps through reputable agencies or your accommodation. Quality varies enormously from basic to luxury.
- 3Carry at least 3 liters of water per person per day in the desert. Dehydration is a serious risk.
- 4The best time for Sahara visits is October-November and March-April. Summer heat is extreme and dangerous.
- 5Camera batteries drain quickly in cold desert nights — keep them warm inside your sleeping bag.
- 6The Todra and Dades Gorges are best visited as stops on the Marrakech-Merzouga route, allowing time for short hikes.