The Best Desert Adventures in Morocco and Beyond

You can’t help but get annoyed by the desert. Perhaps it’s the peace, the endless horizon, or the fact that you’re in a place so vast and wild that your own problems seem unimportant. I thought I was dreaming when I first set foot on the Saharan sands in Morocco. The air was dry and warm, the golden dunes stretched in all directions, and at night the sky was filled with stars I had never seen before.

In deserts, people have that feeling. They are tough, to be sure, but they are also modest, serene, and memorable. Morocco is an excellent place to begin a desert vacation, but there are many other stunning deserts in the world, each with its own distinct culture, personality, and surprises.

So allow me to take you to the Sahara in Morocco and then to other deserts around the world where the adventure never stops.

Morocco: Where Sahara Dreams Begin

Merzouga and the Iconic Erg Chebbi Dunes

Merzouga is most likely where those famous photos of enormous orange sand dunes originated. I will never forget the first time I climbed one of those dunes without shoes. With each step, my feet dug deeply into the warm sand, making it more difficult than I had anticipated. However, the view was so stunning that it seemed unreal when I reached the summit and looked out. The golden dunes appeared to roll for miles in the late afternoon sun.

Next was the trip on the camel. Riding a tall, gentle horse was strange at first, but the steady, swaying motion eventually lulled me into the eternal pace of the desert. At dusk, the sky transformed into a mosaic of oranges and purples, and I understood why the Sahara is referred to as magnificent.

Zagora: The Quieter Retreat

For those who prefer not to have the “big” Sahara experience, Zagora is a good option. The quiet is what makes these dunes unique, even though they aren’t as tall as those in Merzouga. I recall having mint tea with a Berber family in Zagora while sitting cross-legged on carpets. I heard tales from them about desert life. Coming to this place, I came to understand that adventure does not always have to be large, but it can be small, too. A small adventure is much better, it is easier going and shows you the more intimate side of the desert.

Camping in Night Desert

Once you spend a night in the desert and get the experience, you can never be the same again. I stayed at a camp that was both cozy and primitive. In the background, I can clearly hear the sound of the drums, calming lamps, and rugs on the sand.

When I lay down in my tent and looked up at the sky, I could clearly see the Milky Way. The star in this place not only burns, but it actually glows. You will understand that you cannot touch them. The entire trip was worthwhile because of that one moment.

Exploring Beyond Camels

It might happen that you are not so much a fan of camels, don’t worry, Morocco has a lot for you. I tried sandboarding, which is similar to snowboarding but on sand. It was a lot of fun, even though I fell a lot. Driving a 4×4 over the dunes is an exhilarating experience, with each drop feeling like a roller coaster in the middle of nowhere.

Morocco’s desert is a sensation, not just a sight to behold. It’s the sight of stars that are more brilliant than any city lights, the taste of sweet mint tea, and the sound of the wind sweeping across the dunes.

Jordan: Experiencing a Different World

Let’s hop from Morocco to Jordan, where we can enjoy the Martian views of Wadi Rum. To be honest, I thought, “This isn’t Earth,” when I first arrived at Wadi Rum. Huge rocks rise up from the ground like ancient monuments, and the sand is deep red rather than golden.

My guide, a native Bedouin who has spent his entire life in the desert, took me on a jeep tour. He took us through narrow ravines and paused at rock bridges and sculptures that had been left by ancient traders. We later gathered at a Bedouin tent as the sun was setting. While we drank sweet tea and ate bread grilled over a fire, our guide told us stories about Lawrence of Arabia. That night, I felt as though I had traveled back in time while sleeping in a traditional goat-hair tent.

White Desert

We have always known Egypt for its famous pyramids, but in reality, there is something that is much more special about it, and that is the White Desert. There are some white rock formations that are basically in the shape of mushrooms, castles, or animals.

Campin’ here was both eerie and amazing. When the sun sank, an orange light reflected on the rocks, and the moon came up to the sky, and the whole desert was lighted up with the haunted silver vibe. As I lay on the soft sand, these natural sculptures gave me the impression that I was in a fantastical setting created by nature.

Namibia: Climbing the World’s Highest Sand Dunes

Namibia’s Sossusvlei is a place where the desert seems to stretch on forever. Here are some of the tallest dunes on Earth. I decided to ascend one called “Big Daddy.” To reach the summit, it took nearly an hour of perspiration, slipping, and careful walking. When I was looking down from the top, I was of the view that I was on the verge of time.

This place is located in Deadvlei. This place got its name from the dead trees that have been there for hundreds of years, and the pan, which you can see there, is made up of broken white clay. The colour of the trunk contrasts with the blue sky and the red sands. The view here is something which you will never forget.

The next morning, the best thing I did was take a ride in a hot air balloon. Watching the sun rise and turn the desert red and gold was one of the most peaceful moments of my life.

Chile’s Atacama Desert

Despite being the driest region on Earth, Chile’s Atacama Desert is full of surprises. The rocks in Valle de la Luna were silver in the waning light when I hiked through it one day. The sensation was akin to being on the moon.

One night, I went to look at the stars. I’ll always remember how surreal it was to see Saturn’s rings so clearly through a telescope. In the Atacama, the sky appears to go on forever because it is so high and pure

There were also the lagoons and salt flats, where flamingos gracefully posed in the azure waters. It seemed like a silent miracle that life could flourish in such a barren and dry place.

American Southwest Desert

The travellers are as crazy about the American Southwest’s deserts as they might find in any other place.

The terrible place here is California’s Death Valley. The view that you are going to witness here is from another universe; the heat here is something that you cannot bear, and you will also find the stretch of the salt flats.

Get Ready for Desert

After visiting the deserts I came to the conclusion that desert journey should also be respected. I learned several things from the sand:

• Always have water on hand.
• You should be kind to yourself. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a scarf, and sunscreen can save your life.
• Don light clothing, but layer it. It’s hot during the day and can get really cold at night.
• Try to visit with locals whenever you can. Nobody is more familiar with the land than they are.
• Don’t leave any clues.

Why Desert Should Remain in Your Life?

Deserts give you reasons to keep them in your life, be it the beautiful white sculptures in Egypt, or the golden dunes of Morocco. Deserts are all different. However, they all have one thing in common: they simultaneously make you feel big and small.

When there is only sand and sky around you, the world becomes quiet. Your own heartbeat is audible to you. The universe is visible everywhere. You briefly realize that adventure isn’t just about where you go; it’s also about how the journey impacts you.

My desert romance may have begun in Morocco, but it didn’t end there. Since then, I’ve learned something new about the world from each desert I’ve visited. Some, like climbing Namibia’s dunes, were physically challenging for me. It was so mesmerising that I was not able to talk about them, such as Chile’s stars. I had times of pure connection with some people, such as when I had tea with a Bedouin host in Jordan.

If you’ve never visited a desert before, then you should definitely put it on your list this time. You can witness and gain the experience that deserts are the most basic form, but the beauty they provide is something majestic. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a tourist needs.