Best time to visit the Sahara desert in Morocco

March to May and late September to early November are the best months for a Sahara tour from Marrakech or Fes. Days are warm (25 to 32 °C), nights are mild, the dunes are at their most photogenic and the roads over the Atlas are clear.

That said, we run desert tours all year, and some of our happiest travellers went in January or in August. The trick is knowing what to expect and choosing the right version of the tour.

Our favourite season. The Atlas is still snow-capped, the Dades Valley is green, the Valley of the Roses blooms in late April and early May, and Merzouga sits at a comfortable 28 °C in the afternoon. Nights in the camp are around 12 to 15 °C, perfect for a fire and a blanket.

One thing to know: spring is when the sirocco can blow. A sandstorm lasts a few hours, rarely a full day, and our drivers adjust the camel ride if needed. It is also the busiest season after the Christmas holidays, so book riads and camps two to three weeks ahead.

Hot, but not impossible. Afternoons in Merzouga reach 40 to 45 °C in July and August, so the day is structured differently: early departures, long lunch breaks in the shade, the camel ride after 18:00 when the sand cools, and the sunrise walk before 7:00. Nights are warm (25 °C), which many people enjoy more than the winter cold.

The upside is space: the dunes are almost empty, prices are lower and you often have the camp to yourselves. We recommend summer for couples and adults; for young children we suggest the 3-day version with the Agafay alternative, or waiting for autumn.

Almost as good as spring, with fewer sandstorms and the date harvest in the Draa and Ziz valleys. October is warm (30 °C), November is cooler (22 °C by day, 8 °C at night). The light is softer and the sunsets longer. This is the best season for photographers.

Clear blue skies, 18 to 22 °C in the afternoon, and cold nights: between 0 and 5 °C in the camp. The camps provide thick blankets and heaters in the tents, and the stars in winter are the brightest of the year. The Tizi n'Tichka pass can see snow for a day or two after a storm; our drivers check the road every morning and we have an alternative route via Agadir if needed.

Christmas and New Year are the busiest two weeks of the year in the desert. If you want those dates, book in October.

Ramadan changes the rhythm of the country but not the tours: restaurants in tourist areas stay open and the desert camps serve dinner as usual. Eid al-Adha (the big feast) closes many shops for two to three days. If your dates fall on a Moroccan public holiday, we tell you when we send the quote.