Private desert tours
A private tour gives you your own vehicle and driver-guide, so you leave when you want, stop where you want and set the pace. It costs roughly double the shared price for two people and drops sharply as the group grows — at five or six people it is close to the shared price. It is worth it for families, for anyone who dislikes fixed departures, and it is the only way to reach Erg Chigaga.
Shared or private — the honest comparison
Most people should take the shared tour. It is the same route, the same camps and the same guides, and the group format is genuinely pleasant. This page exists for the cases where it is not the right answer.
| Shared vs private | |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Air-conditioned minibus, 8–14 people — vs your own car, minivan or 4x4 |
| Departure | Fixed, usually 07:00–07:30 — vs whenever you choose |
| Itinerary | Set, with fixed stops — vs adjustable on the day |
| Pace | The group’s — vs yours |
| Child seats | Not available — vs on request |
| 3-day Merzouga | €95 per person — vs €195 for two, €130 for five or more |
The full price grid, per person
Private is degressive because the real cost is the vehicle and the driver, and that is fixed whether there are two of you or six.
| Tour | Private prices |
|---|---|
| 2 days · Zagora | €140 for 2 · €110 for 3+ |
| 3 days · Merzouga | €195 for 2 · €155 for 3–4 · €130 for 5+ |
| 4 days · Merzouga | €260 for 2 · €210 for 3–4 · €180 for 5+ |
| 3 days · Marrakech → Fes | €240 for 2 · €195 for 3+ |
| 3 days · Erg Chigaga (private only) | €290 for 2 · €240 for 3–4 · €210 for 5+ |
Who it is genuinely for
- Families with young children — the pace, the stops and a child seat in the vehicle
- Anyone with limited mobility, or who cannot manage a nine-hour day on a fixed schedule
- Groups of four or more, where the per-person cost approaches the shared price anyway
- Honeymoons and special occasions
- Erg Chigaga, which cannot be run as a shared tour — it needs a 4x4 on 60 km of piste
One condition
Private tours need at least three days’ notice, because a vehicle and a driver-guide have to be assigned to you alone. Shared tours can be booked for the next day. We would rather tell you that up front than take a booking we cannot honour.
Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive is a private desert tour?
About double the shared price for two people. At three or four it is roughly 60% more, and at five or six it is around 35% more. The vehicle cost is fixed, so it spreads.
Is a private tour worth it?
For families, for groups of four or more, and for anyone who wants to set their own departure time, yes. For two adults happy with a 07:00 start, the shared tour is the same experience for half the price.
How far in advance do I need to book a private tour?
Three days. That is how long it takes to assign a vehicle and a driver-guide to you specifically.