Erg Chigaga | Sahara Desert, Morocco, 2008

Start / Finish :

• Situated approximately 50 km (31 mi) from the village of M’Hamid. No public transport available. Numerous private options are available in M’Hamid. A friend recommended me Sahara Services and I found them to be reasonably professional. By no means the cheapest option.

• If you are looking for a bargain, it may be worth your while checking with other operators in the village. Ask fellow travelers for recommendations.

Season :

• Possible all year round. Summer may be a tad on the warmish side. Think the surface of the sun. Yep, that’s about it.

Difficulty:  Moderate

Maps / Info :

• Erg translates to ‘ocean of sand’.

• Visitors to Erg Chigaga generally come as part of an organised trip. Camels or 4×4’s are the standard modes of transport. If you would prefer not to be on a set itinerary, it is possible to arrange for a lift out to the dunes with a travel company from M’Hamid. Once at Erg Chigaga, you can use one of the Bivouac Camps as a base from which to explore the dunes at your own leisure.

• Whenever heading out into the dunes be sure to leave details of your departure/approximate return time with the people with whom you are staying.

• If you are overnighting in the dunes be sure to take a compass and/or GPS. When conditions turn nasty (i.e. sandstorms), it is easy to become disorientated.

Route / Conditions :

• No shade, no water – come prepared. Hat and sunscreen are essential.

Sleeping :

• Nights can be cold. If you are camping out, bring along a sleeping bag and a mat for insulation.

• There are numerous bivouac camps situated at the base of Erg Chigaga. I have to give a shout-out to the folks at Sahara Services camp. Great food, comfortable rooms, and a location that is impossible to beat.

Overview :

• Incredible place. I spent three days and two nights in the dunes.

• If I had to choose just one of Morocco’s Erg’s, I would pick Chigaga over Chebbi. Less people, less hassle, more remote and the dunes themselves are probably a little more spectacular.