What to pack for the Sahara
Pack a warm layer, closed shoes, a scarf, a head torch and more water than you expect. The desert is hot by day and genuinely cold at night — close to freezing between November and February. Bring a small bag for the camp: your main luggage stays in the vehicle, and the last stretch to the camp is by camel.
The list
- A warm mid-layer, and a real jacket from November to February
- Closed shoes with a solid sole — you will walk on sand and rock
- A scarf or chèche: dust, sun, and warmth at night, all in one
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a brimmed hat
- A head torch or your phone light — camps run on solar and lighting is minimal
- A power bank; charging at camp is limited and slow
- A small overnight bag, so your suitcase can stay in the vehicle
- Any medication you need, plus something for motion sickness on the mountain passes
The two things people forget
The warm layer, every time. Travellers see 38 °C in the Marrakech forecast and pack for that, then spend the night at the camp genuinely cold. Desert nights lose heat fast because there is no humidity to hold it.
And the small bag. Your suitcase does not come to the camp — you cross the last stretch on a camel. Bring something you can carry with one hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Moroccan desert cold at night?
Yes, and it surprises almost everyone. Nights drop 15 to 20 degrees below the daytime high, and between November and February they can approach freezing at the dunes.
Can I leave my suitcase somewhere?
It stays in the vehicle, which is with the driver overnight. Take a small bag with what you need for one night at the camp.
Is there wifi or electricity at the desert camps?
Solar power, so there is light and some charging. Wifi is either absent or unusable — plan for being offline for a night.