Camping in Drâa-Tafilalet: the great South-East route

With over 200 listed spots, Drâa-Tafilalet is by far the richest region in our directory — for good reason: it's Morocco's great South-East, land of kasbahs, palm groves, gorges and two great Saharan ergs. Here is the classic loop route from Ouarzazate, drivable by van, 4x4 or rental car (paved roads unless noted).

Stage 1 — Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove (1-2 nights)

Gateway to the South, Ouarzazate is worth a stop for the Taourirt kasbah and the film studios. 40 km away, the Skoura palm grove and its Amridil kasbah offer the first quiet, shaded oasis campsites of the route. Camps by Lake El Mansour Eddahbi are a nature-focused alternative right by the city.

Stage 2 — Valley of Roses and the Dadès Gorges (1-2 nights)

Through Kelaat M'Gouna (rose distilleries in May), the road climbs the Dadès Gorges: spectacular hairpin bends, the "monkey fingers" rock formations, and family-run campsites by the river, often attached to a guesthouse serving evening tajine.

Stage 3 — Todra Gorges and Tinghir (1 night)

The 300 m Todra cliffs are best visited early morning, before the tour buses. Campsites are scattered through the Tinghir palm grove; the more adventurous push on to Tamtattouchte, upstream of the gorges, for a wilder night.

Stage 4 — Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi (2 nights)

Via Tinejdad and Erfoud (fossils) you reach Merzouga, at the foot of the 150 m dunes of the Erg Chebbi. Two ways to sleep here: fixed campsite-guesthouses at the foot of the dunes (vans welcome, pools common), or a night in a camp within the dunes, reached by camel or 4x4 — the classic Saharan experience, from a simple Berber camp to a luxury tent.

Stage 5 — The Drâa valley to M'Hamid (2 nights)

Head back west via the N12 (Alnif, Tazzarine) to reach Zagora and Morocco's longest palm grove. The paved road ends at M'Hamid El Ghizlane; beyond it, a track leads to the Erg Chegaga, larger and more remote than Chebbi (4x4 or an organised transfer required). Camps here sit 50 km from any electric light — the starry sky is the real show.

When to go, and what to bring

• Best season: October-November and March-April. Summer tops 45°C (113°F) in the dunes; in the depths of winter, nights drop below 5°C (a warm sleeping bag is essential).
• Sandstorms: common in February-March; bring sturdy tent pegs and goggles.
• Fuel and water: regular stations along the route, but fill up before M'Hamid and the tracks. Plan on 5 L of water per person per day.
• Signal: good in the valley, non-existent in the ergs — download your offline maps beforehand.

Finding your stops

All the camps, campsites and wild camping spots along the route are on the regional map: filter by amenities (water, electricity, wifi) to alternate oasis nights with wild camps, and check the Drâa-Tafilalet page for the full list.