Best Time for a Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco, Month by Month

The best time for a Sahara desert tour in Morocco is from March to May and from late September to November, when days are warm, nights are cool and the light is beautiful. Winter (December to February) is also very good if you pack for cold nights. Summer (June to August) is possible but very hot, with afternoons often above 40°C in Merzouga, so trips are planned around early mornings and evenings.

Sahara weather month by month (Merzouga)

Approximate average daytime highs and night-time lows. Real temperatures vary from year to year.

For live forecasts before you travel, check Maroc Météo, the national weather service.

Spring (March to May): the favourite season

Pleasant days, cool nights and long evenings make spring the most popular season. The almond and rose blossoms in the valleys on the way are a bonus. The only drawback is wind: spring is the season when sandy winds are most likely, and a windy afternoon can hide the view for a few hours. Easter weeks are busy, so book ahead.

Autumn (September to November): the second best

By late September the summer heat breaks, and October is one of the best months of the year: warm, stable and clear. November brings cooler nights and fewer visitors. It is also date harvest time in the oases of the Ziz and Draa valleys.

Winter (December to February): beautiful but cold at night

Winter days in the desert are often sunny and pleasant, perfect for walking on the dunes. Nights, however, can drop close to 0°C. Good camps provide thick blankets, and luxury camps often have heated tents. The High Atlas may have snow, which makes the drive over Tizi n'Tichka stunning, though occasionally slower. Christmas and New Year are very busy; book early. Pack well with our desert clothing guide.

Summer (June to August): possible, with care

Summer is hot. Camel treks start late in the afternoon and return early in the morning, and the middle of the day is for resting in the shade. Nights are warm, which some travellers enjoy, and the sky is often perfect for stars. If you travel in summer, choose a camp with good shade or air conditioning, drink a lot of water and read our Sahara safety tips. A cooler alternative close to Marrakech is a sunset activity in the Agafay desert.

Other things to consider

• Ramadan: tours run normally, but some restaurants on the road close during the day. Dates change every year.
• Moon phase: for the best stars, travel near the new moon. A full moon lights up the dunes beautifully but hides many stars.
• School holidays: European holidays at Easter, in late October and at Christmas bring more visitors.
• Zagora or Merzouga: Zagora is a little hotter in summer and has smaller dunes; see Merzouga vs Zagora.

For the rest of the country, our best time to visit Morocco guide covers cities, mountains and the coast.

Our recommendation

If you can choose, go in April or October. If you travel in winter, the desert is still magical; just pack a warm jacket. In summer, keep the trip short and choose a comfortable camp. Whatever the month, our private Sahara tours from Marrakech run all year, and we adapt the timing of each day to the season.