Sahara Desert Tour Packing List for Morocco
A practical packing list for a Moroccan desert tour, split into what you carry into the dunes overnight and what stays in the vehicle.
Packing for the Sahara is mostly about three things: sun, sand and the temperature drop after dark. Everything else is comfort.
The overnight bag
Your main luggage stays in the vehicle at the edge of the dunes. Take a small bag on the camel or the 4x4 with:
- Warm layer (fleece or light down) — needed in every season
- Head torch or phone torch
- Scarf, for sand and for sun
- Toothbrush, wet wipes, small towel if you like your own
- Power bank — charging at camp is limited
- Water bottle
- Any medication you take at night
- Camera and a bag that closes properly against sand
Clothing
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Loose long-sleeved shirts | Cooler than bare arms in strong sun, and respectful in villages |
| Light trousers or long skirt | Same reason; also protects against sand |
| Warm mid layer | Nights are cool all year, cold in winter |
| Scarf or shemagh | The single most useful item on a desert trip |
| Sunglasses and a hat | Glare on sand is fierce |
| Closed shoes plus sandals | Shoes for gorges and walking, sandals for the camp |
Sun and sand
Sunscreen, lip balm and a spare lens cloth do more work than anything technical. Fine sand finds cameras, phone ports and contact-lens cases: a zip bag for electronics is worth packing. Contact-lens wearers often prefer glasses for the dune hours.
Money and documents
Carry cash in dirhams for lunches, entrance fees, tips and any optional extras — card acceptance is limited outside the towns. Cash machines exist in Ouarzazate, Tinghir and Rissani, but do not count on one at the erg. Bring your passport: it is required at accommodation.
What you do not need
- Hiking boots — unless you are combining the desert with an Atlas trek
- Formal clothes — nowhere on this route requires them
- A large suitcase — a soft bag is easier in vehicles and at camps
- Sleeping bag — camps provide beds and blankets
If you are combining desert and mountains
Travellers who add a High Atlas trek to a Sahara trip need boots, proper layers and sometimes technical kit. Rather than buying it for one trip, ask us about equipment rental in Imlil — items are €4 per item per day, and rental is arranged separately from tour pricing.
Before you leave
Read what a night in a desert camp is like and the best time to visit Merzouga so your packing matches the season. If anything on your list is unclear, message us before you fly — it is much easier to solve then than at the dune edge.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I wear in the Moroccan desert?
- Loose long-sleeved clothing for the sun, a scarf for sand, and a warm layer for after dark. Closed shoes for walking and sandals for the camp.
- Do I need a sleeping bag for a desert camp?
- No. Camps provide beds and blankets. A warm layer of your own is more useful than a sleeping bag.
- How much cash should I bring?
- Enough dirhams for lunches, entrance fees, tips and optional activities across the whole trip. Card acceptance is limited outside the larger towns.
- Can I charge my phone in the desert?
- Usually near the main tent rather than in your own tent. Bring a power bank.
- How do I protect a camera from sand?
- Keep it in a bag that closes, change lenses inside the tent rather than on the dunes, and carry a lens cloth.
- What should I leave in the vehicle?
- Your main luggage. Only a small overnight bag goes into the dunes with you.
