The Sahara is a wonderful family adventure from about age 4: choose spring or autumn, split the long drive over 2 days, book a camp with private bathrooms and keep camel rides short (30-60 min) with a guide leading each camel.
Visiting the Sahara desert with kids is very doable and often the highlight of a family trip to Morocco. The keys are to travel in spring or autumn, break the long drive to Merzouga into shorter stages, choose a comfortable camp with private bathrooms and keep the camel ride short, around 30 to 60 minutes, with a guide leading each camel on foot. Children from about 4 years old usually love it; with toddlers, it simply needs more planning. Here is how we organize family desert trips, step by step.
Is the Sahara desert suitable for children?
Yes. The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are essentially a giant, soft sandpit, and children are enchanted by camels, sandboarding, starry skies and campfire drumming. The desert is calm and safe for families when the trip is well organized. The real challenges are the distance, the heat at the wrong time of year and night temperatures, all of which can be managed with good planning. For a wider view of traveling as a family, read our family trip to Morocco with kids guide.
Best age for a Sahara trip with kids
| Age | Camel ride | Camp | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | Not recommended; ride in the 4x4 instead | Comfort camp reachable by 4x4, cot on request | Possible, with short stages and an extra rest day |
| 3-5 years | Short ride (20-30 min) seated in front of or next to a parent, camel led on foot | Private tent with bathroom close to the main tent | Great fun if days are short; bring snacks and familiar toys |
| 6-11 years | Own camel, 45-60 min, led by a guide | Any standard or comfort camp | The ideal age: sandboarding, stargazing, music |
| 12+ years | Full sunset ride or sunrise ride | Any camp, even a more remote one | Add a quad or 4x4 excursion, a Khamlia visit, a longer trek |
These are general guidelines. Every child is different, and our guides adapt on the spot: if a little one is nervous, they can walk beside the camel or ride part of the way in the vehicle.
Camel ride safety for children
A camel ride at sunset is the moment children remember most. To keep it safe and fun:
- Camels are always led on foot by a cameleer; they walk slowly in a line.
- Hold the handle and lean back as the camel stands up and kneels down: this is the only bumpy part, and our guides warn you each time.
- Keep it short for young kids: 20-45 minutes is enough. Some camps are a 1-1.5 hour ride away, so ask for a closer camp or a 4x4 transfer with only a short camel ride for photos.
- Long trousers prevent chafing; closed shoes or sandals with straps help.
- Sun protection: hat or scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water.
For everything about the ride itself, see our camel trekking in Merzouga guide.
Choosing a family-friendly desert camp
Camp comfort makes a huge difference with children. Look for:
- Private en-suite tents with a toilet and hot shower, so you are not walking across the sand at night.
- Family tents or connecting tents with real beds and extra mattresses.
- Blankets and heating from November to March, when desert nights can drop close to 0 °C.
- Electricity or solar charging for night lights and devices.
- Simple food options: camps happily serve plain rice, pasta, omelets and fruit alongside tagine.
- Vehicle access, useful if a child gets tired or unwell.
Compare options in our guide to the best desert camps in Merzouga and Zagora.
A kid-paced Sahara itinerary
The classic mistake is a rushed 3-day loop with 9-10 hours in the car on day one. With children, longer is better. From Fes, the drive to Merzouga is about 470 km (7-8 hours with stops); from Marrakech it is about 560 km (9-10 hours). Here is a family-friendly rhythm that works well, inspired by our 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech:
- Day 1, Fes to Midelt or Erfoud: stop in Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, where kids can spot Barbary macaques.
- Day 2, to Merzouga: a shorter drive through the Ziz Valley, pool time at the hotel, sunset camel ride to camp.
- Day 3, Merzouga: sunrise on the dunes, sandboarding, a 4x4 loop to Khamlia for Gnawa music, then a second night in camp or a hotel with a pool.
- Day 4, Todra Gorge and Dades: an easy walk in the cool gorge, overnight in the Dades Valley.
- Day 5, to Marrakech: via Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, with plenty of breaks over the Tizi n Tichka pass.
If you start in Marrakech, the same rhythm works in reverse. Check temperatures in our Merzouga weather by month article.
Practical tips for families in the desert
- Car comfort: request child seats when booking; on a private tour you can stop whenever you need.
- Motion sickness: the Tizi n Tichka and Middle Atlas roads are winding; bring remedies and seat sensitive kids in front where allowed.
- Hydration: carry plenty of bottled water and electrolyte sachets.
- Pack light layers plus a fleece and hat for the evening, even in spring.
- Entertainment: download audiobooks and games; mobile signal can be weak in the dunes.
- Small first-aid kit: plasters, child paracetamol, rehydration salts, antiseptic, and sunscreen.
- Sand toys: a bucket and spade turn the dunes into the best beach in the world.
For broader health advice, check the official Visit Morocco site and your government's travel advice before departure.
Plan your family desert adventure
We have welcomed many families on the dunes of Erg Chebbi, from babies to grandparents, and we tailor every detail: drive lengths, camp choice, camel ride duration and kid-friendly meals. Discover our Merzouga desert tours, then ask us for a free family quote with your children's ages; we will suggest a pace that keeps everyone smiling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best age to take kids to the Sahara desert?
The ideal age is roughly 6 to 12, when children can ride their own camel, enjoy sandboarding and stay up for the stars. Kids from about 4 also love it with short rides and comfortable camps. Babies and toddlers can come too, but plan shorter driving days, a 4x4 transfer to camp and extra rest time.
Is a camel ride safe for children?
Yes, when well organized. Camels walk slowly in a line and are always led on foot by an experienced cameleer. The only bumpy moments are when the camel stands up and kneels, so children should hold the handle and lean back. Young kids can ride with a parent, and rides can be shortened to 20-30 minutes.
When is the best time to visit the Sahara with kids?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are best, with warm days and pleasant evenings. July and August are too hot for children, often above 40-45 °C in Merzouga. December and January bring mild days but nights near freezing, so choose a heated or well-equipped camp if you travel then.
How many days do you need for a Sahara trip with children?
With children, plan at least 4 days, ideally 5, from Marrakech or Fes. The drive to Merzouga is 7-10 hours depending on the starting point, so splitting it with an overnight stop prevents exhaustion. A 5-day loop allows a full day in the dunes, a gorge walk and frequent breaks.
