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Private Merzouga activity

Half-Day Horse Ride to Dayet Srji Lake

Half-Day Horse Ride to Dayet Srji Lake — ride out of the dunes and across the open desert to a seasonal lake where flamingos sometimes stop after the winter rains.

The journey

Half-Day Horse Ride to Dayet Srji Lake overview

Most people think the Sahara is only sand. But just west of the Erg Chebbi dunes lies something surprising: a lake. Dayet Srji is a seasonal lake. In dry years it is only a wide, shining plain, but after a rainy winter it fills with water, and sometimes pink flamingos and other birds stop here on their long journeys.

Where

Merzouga → Dayet Srji → Merzouga

Duration

Half day (about 4 hours)

Tour type

Private ride with your own horseman

Level

Some riding experience helps

Why you’ll love it

Tour highlights

✓

Private half-day ride with a local horseman

✓

Helmet and riding introduction

✓

Water and a small snack

✓

Visit to Dayet Srji lake

✓

Hotel pickup in Merzouga on request

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

Every ride is private, with your own horseman. Times change with the season and the light.

Part 01

Half day (about 4 hours)

Along the edge of Erg Chebbi

This half-day ride takes you there. You leave the stables in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the temperature is pleasant. First you follow the edge of the dunes, with the big orange waves of sand on one side and the flat black hamada on the other. Then you ride across the open land toward the lake. The ground is firmer here, and if you are a confident rider, there is space for a trot or a short canter.

At the lake, you rest, give water to the horses, and enjoy the strange view of water in the middle of the desert. If it is the right season, take your binoculars. On the way back, you may pass small nomad tents or camels resting in the shade of a tamarisk tree.

Where

Merzouga → Dayet Srji → Merzouga

Level

Some riding experience helps

Price

Private quote on request

Part 02

The highlight

Water in the desert

It is a wonderful way to see a different side of Merzouga, far from the busy camps and the 4x4 tracks.

Your horseman takes you back at a calm pace, and we can drop you at your hotel or camp in Merzouga. Ask us to combine this ride with any of our private desert tours.

Where

Merzouga → Dayet Srji → Merzouga

Level

Some riding experience helps

Price

Private quote on request

The details

What’s included

Included in your journey

✓

Private half-day ride with a local horseman

✓

Helmet and riding introduction

✓

Water and a small snack

✓

Visit to Dayet Srji lake

✓

Hotel pickup in Merzouga on request

Not included

✕

Drinks and extra snacks

✕

Tips for your horseman

✕

Personal expenses

Start your journey

Request your dates

Tell us when you would like to travel. We’ll reply with availability, your private quote and all the details you need.

From

Private quote on request

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Do I need riding experience?

Beginners are welcome on the short rides and the overnight ride. Your horseman walks next to you or uses a lead rope. For the half-day and full-day rides, some experience helps.

Is the ride private?

Yes. Every ride is private. Only you and your group ride with your own horseman.

What should I wear?

Long trousers, closed shoes, sunglasses and a scarf for the wind and sand. We give you a helmet.

When is the best time?

October to May is the most comfortable. In summer we ride only early in the morning or near sunset.