Best Time for the Sahara in Morocco, and What to Pack for Cold Desert Nights

Best months

Season	In the dunes
October and November	Warm days, cool nights, my favourite time
December to February	Mild sunny days and cold nights, heated tents recommended
March to May	Pleasant days, occasional wind
June to September	Very hot by day, best for early mornings and evenings only

For most guests I recommend October to April, with spring and autumn the most comfortable of all.

Temperatures

In December and January nights in the desert drop to about 4 to 6 C (39 to 43 F), and in July days reach 40 to 43 C (104 to 109 F). I run desert tours all year, and in summer we plan the camel ride for sunset and sunrise and rest in the heat of the day.

What to pack

• Warm layers and a hat for night and morning.
• A scarf for sun and wind.
• Closed shoes that can take sand.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• A small bag for the overnight camp, as luggage often stays in the vehicle.

Wind can lift the sand at any time of year, most often in spring. A scarf for your face is the best protection.

Packing list for the dunes

Item	Why
Warm fleece or down jacket	Nights are cold from November to March
Light long sleeves and trousers	Sun and sand protection by day
Scarf or cheche	Face and head protection from sun and wind
Sunglasses and sunscreen	The light reflects strongly off the sand
Head torch	For the path to the tent and the toilets at night
Small backpack	Your bag for the night, as main luggage stays in the car
Plastic bags	To protect your camera and phone from sand
Wet wipes and lip balm	The air is very dry

Sandstorms and wind

Strong wind, the chergui from the east or the sirocco, can lift the sand at any season, most often in spring. A storm usually lasts a few hours. Camps are built for it, and if the wind is too strong for the camels, we go by four by four instead.

Stargazing

The best stargazing is on nights close to the new moon, when the sky is darkest. The Milky Way is brightest from late spring to autumn. Some camps offer a telescope evening, and I can tell you the moon phase for your dates when we plan.

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Route and days: Fez to Merzouga. Compare months: best time to visit Morocco. Book: desert tour from Fez.