Ask ten Berber drivers when the desert is most beautiful and you will get ten different answers. One loves the soft spring light. Another loves the clear winter nights. A third will tell you that the date harvest in autumn is the best time of all. The truth is simple: the Sahara is open all year, but each season gives you a different desert.
Here is what to expect, month by month, so you can choose the trip that fits you.
Spring (March to May): the favourite season
Spring is the most popular time to visit Merzouga and Erg Chigaga, and it is easy to see why. Days are warm but not too hot, often around 25 to 30°C, and the nights are fresh and pleasant. The valleys on the way to the desert are green, and almond and fruit trees are in flower.
In May, the town of Kelaat M’Gouna, on the road between Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley, celebrates its famous Rose Festival, when the small pink Damask roses are picked to make rose water and oil. Spring can also bring wind and the occasional sandstorm, so keep a scarf in your bag.
Summer (June to August): hot, quiet and for early birds
Summer in the Sahara is very hot. Afternoon temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C and can go higher. That does not mean you cannot go — many Moroccan families visit in summer — but the rhythm of the day changes. We start early, rest in the shade at noon, and ride the camels only at sunset and sunrise, when the air is cooler.
The good news: the desert is quiet, the sky is clear and the nights are warm enough to sleep outside on the sand. If you travel in summer, choose a camp with good shade, or a luxury tent with air conditioning.
Autumn (September to November): golden light and dates
Autumn is our personal favourite. The heat of summer goes away, the light becomes golden and soft, and the palm groves are full of dates. In October, the town of Erfoud celebrates the Date Festival with music, markets and a lot of sweet fruit. In November, the saffron harvest begins in Taliouine, on the road from Agadir, and the fields turn purple for a few short weeks.
Days are pleasant, usually between 20 and 30°C, and the nights start to get cool. This is a perfect time for longer tours, horse riding and photography.
Winter (December to February): clear skies and cold nights
Many people are surprised by how cold the desert is in winter. During the day it is sunny and comfortable, around 15 to 20°C. But after sunset the temperature drops fast, and nights can be close to zero. The good news is that winter nights are the clearest of the year. If you want to see the Milky Way, this is your season.
Our camps give you thick blankets, and luxury tents have heaters. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and good socks. Also remember that the High Atlas passes, like the Tizi n’Tichka, can have snow in winter. Roads usually open again quickly, and your driver will always check the weather before you leave.
“In the desert, you do not choose the weather. You choose the hour. Sunrise and sunset are good in every season.”
What about Ramadan?
Travelling during Ramadan is no problem. Hotels, camps and restaurants for tourists stay open, and you can eat normally. Some small cafés in villages may close during the day, and the rhythm is slower in the afternoon. In the evening, the streets come alive after iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. It can be a beautiful time to see Moroccan family life.
Our short answer
- Best overall: March to May and late September to November.
- Best for stars: December to February (dress warm).
- Best for few crowds: June to August (start early).
- Best for festivals: May (roses), October (dates), November (saffron).
Whatever month you choose, our tours are private, so we can change the timing of each day to match the weather. Tell us your dates and we will plan the rest.
Want to plan your dates? Browse our private tours from Agadir, tours from Errachidia and tours from Marrakech, or try a sunset horse ride in Merzouga.