Sahara camp booking
Morocco Desert Camps with Kids: What to Book
Ask these questions before booking a Sahara desert camp with kids: vehicle or camel transfer, beds, bathroom, meals, weather and what happens after dark.
Set aside time for the road and the camp transfer
Arriving in Merzouga does not mean arriving at the tent. Ask where the road vehicle stops, who meets you and how bags reach your room. Put that time on the same schedule as the drive, lunch and any planned gorge or kasbah stops.
If the route lists a sunset ride, ask what happens when you arrive after it leaves. Agree in advance on who meets you, where you eat and how to get to the tent after dark. Keep your child’s warm layer and any bedtime items in a bag you can carry with you.
Use the family Sahara route comparison to choose the drive before asking for camp names.
Questions to send before paying for camp
| Check | Ask this | Why it changes the plan |
|---|---|---|
| Last transfer | Where do we meet, can we go by vehicle, and how long does it take? | The camp transfer is separate from the drive to Merzouga. |
| Beds | Which tent, how many beds and where would a cot fit? | A tent described as family sized may have a different layout than you expect. |
| Bathroom | Is the bathroom inside the tent, private outside it or shared? | Check the distance and lighting for a child who gets up at night. |
| Meals | When are dinner and breakfast, and can we eat earlier? | A late arrival can affect dinner and an early departure can affect breakfast. |
| Weather and departure | What happens if the ride is cancelled or we need to leave early? | Know who will arrange the vehicle, where it goes and whether it costs extra. |
Decide how each person reaches the tent
If a child is too young for the provider’s activity rules, is unsure about camels or just wants to stop, ask how they can get to camp. Confirm the alternative before you pay, including whether one adult can ride while the other travels with the children. Ask who will meet both groups if they arrive at different times.
Check which vehicle is used for the last transfer and which restraint it can take. The seat arrangement on the main road journey may be separate. Confirm who takes your luggage and keep essentials with the adult who will reach the tent first.
For an alternative vehicle transfer, send the child car seat questions to the camp as well as the main driver.
Ask for the tent name and sleeping layout
Get the number of beds and whether each is a proper bed, a folding bed or bedding shared with a parent. Ask where a cot would go, what separates sleeping areas and how close the tent is to dinner or music. A child who sleeps early may benefit from a quieter location.
Find out where the toilet is and whether the path is lit. Ask what bedding and heating or cooling the named tent has for your dates and when outlets work if you need to charge a phone. Bring a torch if you will need to move around after dark.
Put meals and the morning departure in the quote
Write down when dinner is served, which drinks are included and what happens if the group arrives late. If you have young children, ask about an earlier meal or bring snacks you know they can eat. For dietary needs, ask the camp kitchen directly about what it can prepare.
Ask for the breakfast and pickup times if you need to get to Fes or Marrakech that day. If you want to see sunrise, find out whether it can be done near your tent so you can go back inside when the children have had enough.
If anyone has an allergy, follow up with the questions to ask the kitchen before accepting the meal plan.
Choose one night, two nights or a hotel by the dunes
A single camp night can work when you arrive with time before dinner and the family can get enough sleep before the drive out. If the drive takes most of the day, a second night gives you more time near the dunes. Ask to split the nights between a camp and a hotel if you want the camp experience and an easier departure.
If someone needs to leave early or the camp changes the activity due to weather, ask who can arrange the return transfer and what your terms cover. Get the phone number and pickup point in your final itinerary.
If the time in the car is the deciding factor, see Agafay vs Merzouga with kids before you reserve.
Common questions
Can a child skip the camel ride and still stay at camp?
Ask the camp whether it offers a vehicle transfer and which parts of your party can travel that way. Confirm the pickup point, vehicle, child seat, luggage and cost.
How many nights should a family stay near Merzouga?
One night fits a shorter tour. A second night near the dunes gives you a full day between long drives. Ask which night is at camp and which is in a hotel if you prefer to split them.
Is a private bathroom always inside the tent?
The layout depends on the camp. Request the tent name or photos and ask if the bathroom is attached, outside but reserved for your tent, or shared.
