And what if you go on a trip to the Sahara with your children? Walking through the dunes, meeting the nomads, spending a night under the stars… The Moroccan desert offers families an unforgettable experience, rich in discoveries and shared moments. Provided that you choose a stay adapted to the age and pace of each individual. Here are our tips for preparing this adventure.
The Sahara with the family: an extraordinary experience
Discovering the Moroccan desert with your children is opening their eyes to a world very different from the one they know. Unforgettable landscapes, the silence of the vast spaces, a caravan of camels moving through the sand, evenings around the fire… These are just some of the discoveries that can leave lasting memories in the family’s hearts.
It is also an opportunity to share simple moments away from screens and the daily hustle and bustle, and to meet the inhabitants of the desert, to discover their culture and traditions.
But how do you organize such a trip with children? Should you prioritize a hiking trek, a 4×4 tour, or a stay in a campsite? How many days should you plan? And what precautions should you take?
At M’Hamid El Ghizlane, at the gates of the Sahara, L’Amour du Désert there are various ways to discover the desert. Here are some tips for choosing the experience that best suits your family.
01 — The formula
Hiking, 4×4 or camping: which option to choose?
Every family is different. The age of the children, their habits, their physical condition and their preferences are all factors to take into account when planning a pleasant stay for everyone.
Discover the desert in a 4×4
A circuit in a 4×4 It allows you to explore different landscapes of the Sahara without having to undertake long walks. This formula is particularly suitable for families who have little time or wish to discover several sites.
The routes are defined based on the length of the stay and the access conditions. With children, it is better to plan reasonable stages and regular breaks to enjoy the scenery.
Walking with a caravan of camels
For families who love the hike, a trek accompanied by a caravan of camels offers a different experience.
The travelers progress on foot while the camels carry the luggage, tents, and camping equipment. The walk allows them to gradually discover the desert, observe the landscapes, and share the daily life of the nomadic team.
However, this formula requires special preparation with children. The duration of the stages, the pace of the walk, and the opportunities for rest must be discussed before departure.
It is also important to check the available solutions if a child gets tired or no longer wants to walk.
To learn more, discover our article about the trek in the Moroccan desert.
Staying in a campsite
Another option is to stay in a campsite and discover the surroundings from this starting point.
This formula allows for limiting travel and enjoying the atmosphere of the desert for longer. It can be particularly interesting with young children or for families who want to alternate between discovering the surroundings and relaxing moments.
Comfort varies depending on the campsites. Before booking, check the sleeping arrangements, sanitary facilities, meals and available equipment.
02 — Duration
How many days should you plan to spend exploring the desert with your family?
The duration of the stay depends on the chosen program, but also on the time needed to reach the desert.
A few days can be enough for a first discovery. A longer stay allows you to enjoy the landscapes more fully, plan several stages, or combine different experiences.
However, travel times must be taken into account. From Marrakech, getting to M’Hamid El Ghizlane by road usually takes a large part of the day. From Ouarzazate, the journey is shorter, but requires good organization as well.
With children, it is better to avoid having too many activities and long days of driving. Planning a night before or after a stay in the desert can make traveling more relaxed.
The key is to leave enough time for discoveries, but also for breaks, meals, and rest.
03 — The age of the children
Adapting the trip to the age and pace of the children
There is no ideal age that applies to all children. An adolescent accustomed to walking will obviously have different needs than a young child who is discovering the world. hike.
Beyond age, one must take into account each person’s travel habits, autonomy, and physical abilities.
Before choosing your itinerary, take the time to discuss several points with the organizer: the duration of the hikes, the distances to be covered, possible breaks, travel times, and accommodation conditions.
With a baby or a very young child, it is particularly important to check beforehand whether the conditions of the stay are suitable and what precautions or specific equipment are necessary.
The goal is not to want to discover everything, but to allow each member of the family to fully enjoy the experience.
04 — The accommodation
Sleeping in the desert: what accommodation with children?
Spending a night in the Sahara is often one of the most anticipated moments of the trip.
Depending on the chosen circuit, several options are available: guesthouse, fixed campsite or nomadic bivouac wanderer.
In a mobile bivouac, Tents and equipment are transported along the stages. The comfort is simple, but the experience allows you to get closer to the Saharan environment.
A fixed campsite can offer other amenities and more stability.
Before booking, it is useful to check the sleeping conditions, the availability of toilets, the equipment provided, the included meals, and the possibility of accommodating the entire family in an appropriate space.
The nights can be chilly, even cold in winter. Warm clothing and appropriate equipment are therefore essential.
05 — The budget
What budget should I plan for a family vacation?
The cost of a trip in the Moroccan desert It depends primarily on the length of the stay, the number of participants, transportation, accommodation, and the activities chosen.
A nomadic trek with a caravan of camels does not require the same organization as a 4×4 tour or a stay in a campsite.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, ask for a detailed quote for the entire family.
Check, in particular, whether transfers, meals, accommodation and activities are included. Also consider additional expenses: international flights, meals outside the program, personal expenses or gratuities.
If you have a specific budget, let us know from the outset. It may be possible to adjust the duration or certain services to create a stay that meets your expectations.
06 — The journey
Preparing for trips to the Sahara
M’Hamid El Ghizlane is located in the south of Morocco, at the gates of the desert.
Travelers usually reach the region by road, especially from Marrakech or Ouarzazate.
The journey is already part of discovering Morocco, with its varied landscapes and the villages you pass through along the way. But with children, it is important to take into account the time spent in the car.
When preparing your trip, please specify your arrival city, the schedules of your flights if you know them, and the dates of your trip.
Also inquire about the transfer services offered and any nights that may be required before or after your stay in the desert.
07 — Precautions
A few precautions for traveling safely
The Sahara is a beautiful but demanding environment. Temperatures can vary greatly between day and night, and the weather conditions influence the organization of activities.
With children, certain precautions are particularly important:
- Plan to use appropriate sun protection: hat, sunglasses, coveralls and sunscreen.
- Drink enough water and ensure regular hydration.
- Plan to wear light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the evenings.
- Choose comfortable shoes that are suitable for the activities.
- Bring your usual medications and a small first aid kit.
- Check insurance, travel formalities and medical recommendations before departure.
It is also preferable to choose a period when temperatures are more favorable. From October to April, the conditions are generally better suited for activities in the desert, although the winter nights can be cold.
08 — Contact
How to prepare your stay with L’Amour du Désert?
Based in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, it L’Amour du Désert is a family-run agency that organizes trips in the Moroccan Sahara with a local team that knows the region and its traditions intimately.
Each family has its own preferences and constraints, so the trip is prepared by exchanging ideas about the travel plan.
To receive a customized proposal, it is useful to communicate your dates, the number of adults and children, their age, the available duration, your arrival city and the type of experience you wish to have.
You can also specify your budget, your accommodation preferences and any special constraints you may have.
This information will allow us to study the various possibilities and to build a realistic program, taking into account the conditions of the desert.
Memories to be shared long after the trip
A trip to the Sahara with the family is, of course, about dunes, vast landscapes and starry nights. But it is also about the small moments that make the adventure so rich: walking together in the sand, discovering the preparation of traditional bread, sharing a tea with the nomads or listen to stories around the fire.
For children as well as for parents, these experiences can become precious memories.
And what if the most beautiful gift of a trip to the desert was simply the time spent together?
Do you want to discover the Moroccan Sahara with your children? Contact L’Amour du Désert to discuss your project and imagine a stay adapted to your family.
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