Can you visit the Moroccan Sahara Desert in summer?

You can actually visit the Moroccan Sahara Desert in summer, but there are a few factors to keep in mind. Temperatures can rise above 45 degrees (113 °) in the summer in the desert especially in towns like Merzouga or Zagora. It’s hardly peak season for desert tours — the heat is punishing — but some travelers continue to brave the experience, and to be fair, it’s not unbearable if you’re properly prepared for the brutal climate. Tours typically start in the early morning or late afternoon to steer clear of the heat of the day and the accommodations in the desert (camps, for example) are generally in shaded locations, if not air-conditioned spaces. If you’re sensitive to heat, or traveling with kids or seniors, you’re usually okay visiting the desert in summer, but are better off traveling in spring or fall, when temperatures are more mild and pleasant.

Good to Know:

If you’re not a fan of extreme heat or you’re traveling with kids, the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are great alternatives with cooler temperatures but with equally stunning desert vistas. Still, with some preparation —the right amount of hydration, the right kind of loose clothing, the right camping experience in more prepared camps — summer visitors will still be able to take in the incomparable uniqueness of a summer visit.