The Magic Sahara Desert

The incredible, vast and dramatic Sahara, there may be no other place on earth so evocative. Constantly at the mercy of the sun and wind, this ever-changing landscape is as formidable as it is beautiful. Here you will find countless and constantly shifting sand dunes; clear skies showcasing the milky way unlike any other place on earth; and a tranquillity that is truly incredible. Berber tribes have roamed this land for centuries and those that still remain live a life almost unchanged despite the passage of time. Life here is still dictated by the sun, the wind and the hope of rain.

I loved Morocco and definitely recommend spending some time to explore the best of Morocco. But, if you visit only one place in Morocco, it needs to be here. I don’t think there is another place that contains the lifeblood of this country in quite the same way. Whether you choose to embark on a long and slow journey by car or by camel; or accelerate the adventure with some “surfing” or “4×4” action in the dunes, this landscape will stay with you. And with ready access from Marrakech, even if you only have a few days, this place is within reach.

I did a 4 day tour from Marrakech, through the Sahara and finishing in Fes (read more about these cities here). A word of caution – it pays to do your research here. I did zero research, and all I’ll say is that not all tours are created equal! On the first day I was moved between 4 different cars, and then 2 more different tour groups over the next 3 days. As a solo female traveller, I was definitely a little nervous, especially when on the third day my group left me on my own for 5 hours to wait for my new group to pick me up. I was not impressed. But I would also say, don’t let that stop you. The people in this country are friendly if not also opportunistic, and the Sahara really is a spectacular place – just pick a better tour group than I did.

Visit some of the villages where ancient traditions still dictate the way of life. Here, many women still identify themselves with their tribe through the tattoos on their faces, and the rich, colourful clothing is as much a protector from the sun’s intense heat as a beautiful display of tradition. Even more than this and the camel rides over the dunes, it was the nights under the Sahara’s starlit sky that I loved most. After a traditional Moroccan feast prepared by our local hosts, and of course some mint tea around the fire, I ditched the tents and huddled outside with a few other brave souls to sleep under the stars. I recommend bringing all your warm layers if you plan to do this, but despite the cold the two nights I spent like this were truly incredible. The moon was full when I was there so it was bright when we lay down, but when I woke up at around 2am the moon had set leaving millions of twinkling stars behind. I don’t think I have ever seen so many stars in my life. If I close my eyes now, I can still see them and feel the crisp night air on my face. The sense of calm, mingled with wonder and excitement I felt in those moments under the stars totally captivated me.

The timelessness, the beauty and the resilience of this place and the people that have made this their home cannot help but leave a lasting impression – there is nowhere else quite like the Sahara.