Spending a night in the Sahara Desert is a one lifetime experience, a lifelong dream for anyone traveling Morocco Any forum will tell you that there are two places in Morocco where you can actually spend a night in the desert: the dunes of Erg Chebbi and the dunes of Erg Chigaga, both of them require between 8-10-hour drive in the car. The simple answer for this question is it depends on what you like and your travel style.
Erg Chigaga is less visited then Erg Chebbi, as it is not easy to access After arriving to the gateway town of M’hamid.the 60 km drive taking to chigaga dunes have to be by 4X4 and a skilled knowledgeable driver as the road is not sealed and less explored what makes it wilder.Chigaga dunes are for travelers looking for an isolated, savage, private and unique experience, It has a wild landscapes driving from mhamid you will pass by the vast dried up Lake Iriki in the Iriki National Park giving a great view and landscape.
Nearby Places of Interest
The experience of being miles away from any vestige of civilization should be reason enough to make this trip, although you can always check out nearby places of interest, either adapting your route to visit them, or using the erg itself as your starting point and exploring nearby places of interest. Here are some of those places:
Lake Iriki is close to the Erg Chigaga or Erg Chigaga desert in Morocco
Lake Iriki
With a name that is misleading, this enormous petrified mud plain, that at one time took in the waters of the Draa River, has been dry for more than 20 years. It’s worth going here on the way back. The only signs of life are illusory landscapes in the form of mirages or, occasionally in the rainy season, small pools that attract birds from the area.
M’Hamid
Although mostly known for being the closest town, this old caravan crossing is well worth a visit, mainly because of its mud construction. Also noteworthy are the ksars in an advanced state of decomposition on the outskirts of the town.
Near the Erg Chigaga dunes there is also Tamegroute
Tamegroute
A former center of education and religion, it’s well known for its characteristic green pottery. Probably the most recommended nearby city, having a library with more than 4,000 manuscripts, a zawiya (religious center) that is an active pilgrimage site and an underground kasbah built to withstand the high temperatures where hundreds of families still live.
Agz
This is a strategic place to stay overnight before reaching Erg Chigaga. Inside is the Kasbah Caid Ali, and on the outskirts is Tamnougalt, with two kasbahs, one of the same name and the other called Kasbah des Caids, where many movies have been filmed.
The Sacred Oasis of Oum Lâalag
A few kilometers from Erg Chigaga, there is a 15-hectare oasis, surrounded by an adobe wall, and where water continues to flow and palm trees continue to grow, giving it a sacred quality due to its miraculous proximity to the desert.
Near the Erg Chegaga desert is Taznakhte, ideal for buying rugs
Taznakhte
For those who can’t resist traveling without taking back a souvenir, this small town is the main producer of Berber carpets in the country. A visit to one of the cooperatives here—with a good dose of patience and haggling—will help you avoid the middleman.
At this point, the options are clear: Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga? There is no right answer; either one will be a wise decision, and the choice will depend on what you want out of your trip.
The best option of all is taking advantage of a first trip to Marrakech to visit Erg Chebbi, and planning a second trip with more desert landscapes with Erg Chigaga as the finish line. This is the option for those who fall in love with the unique beauty of Morocco and possibly the only option fair to both ergs.
The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco.
Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks.
