When people say “the Moroccan Sahara”, they usually mean one of two places. In the east, near the Algerian border, there is Erg Chebbi, next to the village of Merzouga. In the south-west, past Zagora and M’hamid, there is Erg Chigaga. Both are beautiful. Both have camel rides, desert camps and incredible stars. But they feel very different.
Erg Chebbi: the tall, golden classic
Erg Chebbi is the most famous dune field in Morocco. It is around 28 kilometres long from north to south and 5 to 7 kilometres wide, and some of its dunes rise up to 150 metres above the stony desert around them. Their colour is a deep orange that turns almost red at sunset.
The big advantage of Erg Chebbi is access. A paved road goes all the way to Merzouga, so you can reach the dunes in a normal car. From Marrakech or Fes it is a long but beautiful drive, usually split over two or three days. From Errachidia airport, it is only about two and a half hours.
Around the dunes there is a lot to do: the Gnawa music village of Khamlia, nomad families, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji, fossil workshops in Erfoud and the old caravan city of Rissani. There are also many camps, from simple to very luxurious.
Erg Chigaga: the wild, quiet giant
Erg Chigaga is the largest dune field in Morocco. It stretches for more than 25 kilometres, and the only way to get there is by 4×4 or camel. The nearest villages are M’hamid, about 60 kilometres away, and Foum Zguid, on the other side of the dry Lake Iriki.
Because of this, Erg Chigaga is much quieter. There are fewer camps, and they are far apart. The drive itself is an adventure: open desert tracks, mirages over the dry lake, and nomad tents in the middle of nowhere. The dunes are high and wide, though the very tallest dunes of Erg Chebbi are higher.
Side by side
| Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) | Erg Chigaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Paved road to the dunes | 4×4 only, about 1.5–3 hours off-road |
| Dunes | Very tall, up to 150 m | Very wide, large field |
| Crowds | Busy in high season | Quiet and remote |
| Things to do nearby | Khamlia, nomads, lake, fossils, Rissani | Lake Iriki, nomads, oasis villages |
| Best from | Marrakech, Fes, Errachidia | Agadir, Marrakech, Ouarzazate |
So which one should you choose?
Choose Erg Chebbi if it is your first time in the desert, if you want the tallest and most colourful dunes, or if you are travelling between Marrakech and Fes. It is also the best choice if you fly into Errachidia.
Choose Erg Chigaga if you love adventure and silence, if you have already seen Merzouga, or if you are starting from Agadir or the Atlantic coast. It is a great choice for photographers and for anyone who wants to feel truly far from the world.
And if you cannot decide? Many of our guests do both on a longer private tour. Just ask us.
Ready to choose? See our 3 Days Tour from Agadir to Erg Chigaga, the 3 Days Tour from Errachidia to Merzouga, or all our tours from Marrakech.