Merzouga
The Erg Chebbi is the only accessible part of the Sahara that is worth visiting in Morocco.
All the Auberges (hotels/riads) are in a line facing the Erg Chebbi. Driving South you have to look out for the sign to your Auberge, then turn off the road sticking to the piste. Straying off the pistes would mean getting stuck in sand very quickly, unless you have a good 4×4.
Morocco Photos:
The colour of the sand changes as the sun sets. Glorious!
Camel rides, particularly at sunset are very popular.
You can even camp out in a Berber tent. Not quite as desolate as it looks – if you are uncomfortable in the middle of the night, it is only a short walk over the dunes back to the Auberges.
Our cheerful guide, Hassan, who took us round the area.
Merzouga Oasis
The local villagers irrigate their allotments by diverting the flow of water along channels at pre-set times of the day. That way each family waters their patch for an equal number of hours per week.
I was surprised to learn that even in this part of the desert, the water table is quite close to the surface, sometimes only a couple of metres beneath the surface.
