The best desert camps for a night in the Chigaga dunes
Beyond the last paved roads, past the palm groves of M’Hamid, lies a world where sand stretches endlessly to the horizon.
Erg Chigaga – a remote and untamed sea of dunes – shelters a handful of rare desert camps, accessible only by 4×4, far from the well-trodden paths. It’s here, between ochre sand ridges and mineral silence, that travellers can experience one of the most unforgettable nights in Morocco: a night under the stars in the Sahara.
The Chigaga dunes are higher, wilder, and more expansive than those of Merzouga – a true playground for desert lovers. As evening falls and the light softens, the dunes blaze with colour. A sunset camel trek sets the scene. Then comes dinner beneath the stars, shared around the fire to the gentle rhythm of Berber drumming. Some tents surprise with their comfort – soft beds and private bathrooms in luxury setups – while others embrace the simplicity of nomadic bivouacs.
What they all share is the same rare magic: the chance to sleep in the middle of nowhere, to drift off beneath a sky of perfect clarity, lulled by the southern wind and echoes of ancient caravans. Chigaga isn’t a place you just pass through – it’s a place you live, for a night, a campfire, a moment far from the world.
Bivouac Nomademoi
Deep in the heart of Erg Chigaga, over two hours off-road from M’Hamid, Nomademoi Desert Camp stands among the towering dunes, far from any trace of civilisation. Just a few canvas tents anchored in the sand, a woven fence marking the shelter, and all around, a boundless, naked horizon.
As the day draws to a close, the light softens, filtered through the sloping fabric of the nomadic tents. Here, silence isn’t emptiness – it’s alive. A rare stillness broken only by footsteps in the sand or the gentle crackling of the fire. In the evening, cushions are laid out in the communal tent, mint tea steams in etched glasses, and voices blend gently into the night.
There’s no need for excess here. Just the essentials: soft mattresses, warm blankets, generous home-cooked meals, and the priceless sensation of being far, truly far, from everything. Each dawn over the dunes, each star-filled sky, leaves an imprint – the memory of a raw, unfiltered Sahara bivouac.
Erg Chegaga Camp & Activites
Far from the beaten tracks, in the heart of a vast sea of sand, Erg Chegaga Camp & Activites forms a discreet oasis nestled between golden dunes and an endless sky. More than just a bivouac, this desert retreat feels like a boutique Saharan lodge – with comfortable tents, attentive dining, and elegantly designed communal spaces. Here, the desert is experienced without compromising on comfort.
The accommodation, set in permanent structures beneath traditional canvas, blends Moroccan decorative touches with contemporary simplicity. Some tents feature private bathrooms, while others open onto clean, well-maintained shared facilities. A shaded tamarisk garden and the tented lounge offer welcome spaces to read, chat, or simply listen to the wind.
The camp offers a wide range of experiences: camel treks, sandboarding, sunset walks along the dunes, and 4×4 excursions into the remote corners of the erg. But above all, it’s the profound tranquillity, warm hospitality, and awe-inspiring landscape that leave a lasting impression.
Erg Chigaga Regency Camp
Tucked between two dune lines, far from the well-used tracks, Erg Chigaga Regency Camp offers an undeniably high-end take on the Saharan bivouac. Beneath its sand-coloured canvas, the camp blends minimalist elegance with refined comfort, in a hushed atmosphere where every detail seems designed to soften the harshness of the desert.
The tents are spacious and thoughtfully furnished, featuring real beds, raw wood furniture, and thick rugs laid directly on the sand. Each has its own private bathroom with a shower. The camp is arranged around open communal areas: a beautifully set dining tent, a shaded lounge, and a firepit corner for evening gatherings. The overall mood is peaceful, almost secretive.
As the light fades over the dunes, the camp transforms into a secluded retreat. Silence settles in, lanterns flicker to life one by one, and the warmth of the fire draws guests together in a quiet circle. This is luxury in its rarest form – space, privacy, and the gift of slowing down.
Atta Desert Camp
Discreet and almost invisible within the vastness of Erg Chigaga, Atta Desert Camp is built in harmony with its surroundings. Intimate in scale, it offers an authentic immersion in the desert without giving up a certain level of comfort. Reached after a long off-road journey, the camp sits in a region where the dunes rise higher, wider, and quieter.
The tents are spaced out to preserve privacy, and furnished with simplicity: low beds, woven rugs, solar lanterns. Some offer private bathrooms; others rely on shared facilities that are clean and thoughtfully maintained. A small tented lounge provides a shaded space for quiet conversations and rest.
What stands out here is the care given to the experience: a warm welcome, homemade cuisine infused with southern Moroccan flavours, and lively evenings to the rhythm of nomadic percussion. The desert remains ever-present – in the slanting light of morning, the deep stillness of scorching afternoons, and the pure brilliance of the night sky.
Aladdin Desert Camp
Just steps from the tallest dunes of Erg Chigaga, Aladdin Desert Camp stretches its spacious tents across a landscape of sand and silence. Nestled in the folds of the Sahara, the camp offers a more comfortable take on nomadic life – without breaking the bond with the desert itself.
The tents are large and thoughtfully appointed, with generous bedding and seating areas that open towards the dunes. Each one features a private bathroom – a rare luxury in such a remote setting. It’s a discreet kind of comfort, far from hotel formality, yet carefully designed so that travellers can unwind fully after a day of exploring or simply soaking in the desert’s stillness.
As night falls, the atmosphere softens. A few lanterns light the way to the communal tent, where a lovingly prepared meal is shared. Conversation slows as the sky ignites, then fades. What remains is the breath of the wind and the dunes’ quiet murmur beneath the stars – a peace untouched by time.
Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chegaga
Set deep in the western reaches of Erg Chigaga, in a rarely visited area, Desert Luxury Camp feels like an oasis of comfort in the midst of raw wilderness. Far from standardised camps, this high-end bivouac is carefully designed – both in its location and in the experience it offers. The tents are pitched facing the dunes, surrounded by silence, with views that stretch across an endless sea of sand.
Each spacious tent is fully equipped: king-size bed, handcrafted furniture, woven rugs, and a private bathroom with hot water, toilets, and an open-sky shower. In the evening, guests gather around the fire with a glass of mint tea in hand, watching the stars stretch wide above the camp. Dinner is served in the restaurant tent – refined Moroccan cuisine, soft traditional songs, and attentive service.
At dawn, the dunes blush with the first light. Some guests set off by camel towards the sacred oasis; others prefer a quiet stroll through the cool morning sand. Here, everything invites you to slow down, to contemplate, and to savour a stay in Morocco that is both intimate and spectacular.
Chegaga Nomad Camp
Nestled in the hollow of a tall dune, slightly off the main tracks, Chegaga Nomad Camp welcomes travellers into a warm, simple atmosphere that stays true to the spirit of the desert. Run by a local family, the camp embraces authenticity, with a strong emphasis on connection, music, and shared moments.
The tents are spacious and tastefully decorated with colourful fabrics and traditional rugs. Inside, you’ll find comfortable bedding and cosy lounge corners, carefully arranged. The nearby sanitary block is clean and well maintained. Every space is designed to preserve the quiet of the surroundings and offer a gentle haven between walks in the dunes.
Life here unfolds at a peaceful rhythm: watching the sunrise from the top of a dune, breakfast bathed in golden light, quiet time in the shade of a canvas roof, and evenings filled with Berber songs and the beat of hand drums. More than anywhere else, the desert here is lived on a human scale.
Chegaga Desert Trips Camp
Entre les grandes ondulations de sable blond, Chegaga Desert Trips Camp se fond dans le paysage dunaire, à bonne distance de Mhamid El Ghizlane. Ce bivouac accessible uniquement en 4×4 s’adresse aux voyageurs en quête d’aventure : ici, pas de foule, mais un espace sauvage et ouvert, propice aux randonnées, aux balades à dos de dromadaire et à l’exploration.
Les tentes, spacieuses et bien équipées, offrent une literie confortable, des draps propres et parfois même un coin toilette privatif. On profite du calme, de l’ombre sous les toiles, et du ciel étoilé qui embrase les soirées. Le camp propose aussi un petit restaurant traditionnel, où les repas marocains sont servis dans une ambiance conviviale, souvent autour du feu.
Au lever du jour, le désert semble intact. Depuis le site, on peut partir à pied vers les dunes environnantes, ou prolonger l’expérience avec une excursion vers l’oasis sacrée ou les zones les plus reculées de l’erg Chigaga. C’est un point de départ idéal pour un séjour au Maroc mêlant contemplation, immersion et souvenirs inoubliables.
