Sunrise over the Merzouga dunes
Half an hour of sleep in exchange for the best light of the day in the desert. We wake you in time.
Why the early start pays off here
At dawn the desert is completely silent and the sand, still cold, takes on a colour you will not see at any other hour. The sun comes up behind the Merzouga dunes and within minutes the light changes entirely.
From the camp it is a short walk up the nearest dune. We wake you at the right time and have breakfast ready for when you come back.
If you are here at the end of the year, the sunrise on 1 January is the first of the year. Here is what New Year’s Eve in the desert is like.
What time the sun rises in Merzouga
Approximate times for the middle of each month, in Moroccan local time. They shift by a few minutes day to day, and we confirm them for you the night before.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| January | 08:15 | 18:36 |
| February | 07:58 | 19:03 |
| March | 07:27 | 19:24 |
| April | 06:49 | 19:44 |
| May | 06:21 | 20:04 |
| June | 06:12 | 20:21 |
| July | 06:22 | 20:21 |
| August | 06:42 | 19:59 |
| September | 07:00 | 19:22 |
| October | 07:18 | 18:45 |
| November | 07:43 | 18:18 |
| December | 08:07 | 18:15 |
Morocco stays on UTC+1 all year except during Ramadan, when it switches to UTC+0 (one hour earlier than in the table). Also, Merzouga sits well to the west, so the sun rises and sets later than you would expect. Worth bearing in mind when planning the camel ride.
How to make the most of it
- Ask us the exact sunrise time the night before: it shifts a lot between winter and summer.
- Walk up barefoot, or in shoes that will not fill with sand.
- It is cold before the sun comes up, even when the day turns hot.
- We can push breakfast back so you do not have to rush.
Questions about the sunrise
What time does the sun rise in Merzouga?
Between 6:12 in June and 8:15 in January, Moroccan time: see the month-by-month table on this page. We tell you the exact time the night before, and when to leave your tent.
Is it a long walk up?
No. There are dunes a few minutes’ walk from the camp. You do not need to get up an hour early or hike anywhere: you step out of your tent and you are there.
Is it cold at that hour?
Yes, even in spring and autumn. It is the coldest part of the day. Bring a warm layer even if you were in short sleeves the afternoon before.
Can I have breakfast before going up?
Most people go up first and have breakfast when they come back, which is when it is freshly laid out. If you are setting off early, we bring breakfast forward: tell us the night before.
Is it worth getting up for?
It is what guests mention most as they leave. Sunrise in the desert has fewer people and better light than sunset, and from here there is nobody else around.
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Keep reading
- Things to do in the Merzouga desert Knowing the Sahara means more than looking at its dunes: it means crossing it, hearing its silence and meeting the people who live in it.
- Sunset camel ride through the Merzouga dunes The reason most people come to the desert in the first place. It is included in your stay, at no extra cost.
- Starry nights in the Sahara No light pollution, and away from the camps with floodlights. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.