Packing for the Moroccan Sahara is mostly about two things: the big gap between daytime and night-time temperatures, and fine sand that gets into everything. Get those right and the rest is easy.
Most visitors spend one or two nights in a desert camp at Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga, usually arriving on a short camel trek or by 4x4. This list is built around that kind of trip, with notes for each season and for travellers heading to quieter places like Oumjrane or M'Hamid.
Key facts
- Clothing rule
- Light, loose, covering layers by day; a genuinely warm layer for night.
- Must-have
- A long scarf or cheche (desert turban) for sun and blowing sand.
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm.
- Camp kit
- Headlamp, power bank, wet wipes, toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
- Luggage
- Leave the big suitcase in the vehicle or hotel; take a small overnight bag to camp.
- Money
- Some cash in dirhams; ATMs are in larger towns, not in the dunes.
Clothing: dress for heat and cold in the same day
Desert air holds little heat. Even when afternoons are warm, temperatures fall quickly after sunset, and from roughly November to February nights in the dunes can drop close to freezing. The answer is layers:
- Loose, breathable long sleeves and long trousers in cotton, linen or light technical fabric. They protect you from sun and wind better than shorts and a vest, and they are more respectful in villages.
- A warm mid-layer such as a fleece or light down jacket for the evening.
- In winter, add a warm hat, gloves and thermal base layers for sleeping. Camps provide blankets, but you will be glad of your own warm clothes around the fire.
- Something comfortable to sleep in and a spare pair of socks.
Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is appreciated in towns and villages throughout the south, for both men and women. See our guide to Amazigh culture for more on local etiquette.
Sun, wind and sand protection
The single most useful item is a long cotton scarf or cheche, the cloth wrapped around the head and face by desert travellers. It shades your head and neck, and when the wind picks up you can pull it over your nose and mouth to keep sand out. They are sold cheaply in every desert town, and guides are usually happy to show you how to tie one.
- Sunglasses with good UV protection; wraparound styles help in wind.
- A wide-brimmed hat for walking (it may blow off on a camel, which is another reason for the scarf).
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm: the sun is strong year-round and the air is very dry.
- Moisturiser and eye drops if you are sensitive to dry air.
Footwear
Sand is soft but can be scorching by midday in the warmer months. Closed, comfortable shoes or trainers are best for camel rides, walking and climbing dunes; many people take them off and walk barefoot on the cooler evening and morning sand. Sandals are handy around camp. Heavy hiking boots are not needed for the dunes, though they are useful if you plan to walk on rocky terrain around the Anti-Atlas or in the Todra Gorge.
Camp essentials and a small overnight bag
Camels and 4x4s to the camps have limited space, so most tours ask you to leave your main luggage in the vehicle or at a hotel and take a small backpack for the night. Pack it with:
- A headlamp or torch (ideally with a red-light mode for stargazing).
- A charged power bank and your charging cables; electricity at basic camps is limited.
- Wet wipes, toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
- A refillable water bottle; camps and drivers can usually top it up from larger containers.
- Toothbrush, any medication, and a warm layer for the night.
- Earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Electronics and cameras in the sand
Fine sand is the enemy of cameras and phones. Keep devices in zip-lock bags or a sealed pouch when not in use, avoid changing lenses in the wind, and bring a blower and microfibre cloth to clean them. Phones can overheat if left in direct sun. Mobile coverage in the dunes is patchy, so download offline maps before you go.
Health, money and documents
Carry a small kit with plasters, pain relief, rehydration salts and something for an upset stomach, plus any prescription medication. Bring your passport (police checkpoints are routine on desert roads) and some cash in Moroccan dirhams for tips, drinks and small purchases, as card payment is rarely possible in camps or villages. ATMs are found in larger towns such as Erfoud, Rissani, Zagora and Ouarzazate. More practical advice is in our Sahara travel tips.
Packing by season
Winter (December–February): warm jacket, hat, gloves and thermals for night; days are mild and sunny. Spring (March–May): pleasant temperatures but more frequent wind, so prioritise the scarf and sunglasses. Summer (June–August): the lightest, loosest covering clothing you own, plenty of water and sun protection; plan activities for early morning and evening. Autumn (September–November): warm days and cooler nights, with a light jacket usually enough. Our best time to visit guide explains each season in more detail.