Offering a totally unique adventure, trekking through the Sahara Desert is an experience like no other. Exploring this iconic region on foot is the best way to experience the magic of the desert, discover its secrets and learn more about this very special place. Much of northern Africa is covered by the Sahara Desert.
Spanning 3,000 miles across 11 countries, the desert encompasses Senegal, Mauritania, Western Sahara and Morocco in the west, through Mali, Algeria, Niger, Tunisia, Chad and Libya in the interior and finally east into Egypt and Sudan. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Mediterranean in the north, the Sahara reaches all the way to the Red Sea in the east.
More Sahara Desert facts - the Sahara Desert is a whopping 3.6 million square miles or 9.2 million square kilometres. It covers over 30% of the land mass of the continent of Africa and is the largest hot desert on the planet third, the largest desert in the world, after the Arctic and Antarctic.
As one of the most sparsely populated places in the world, the Sahara Desert attracts intrepid travellers from all over who come to marvel at the rust-coloured dunes, bathe in the rhythm of the desert and experience a remoteness hard to find elsewhere. A true bucket-list experience, visiting the Sahara Desert is simply unforgettable.
Let’s help you navigate the different seasons and how that impacts specific activities. Deciding on the best time to visit Morocco’s desert is an important decision and 'When should I go?' is one of the most common questions we get at Skyhook. This will help you choose the ideal time to book your Sahara desert trek.
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Understanding the Sahara Desert Climate
Famously one of the harshest environments on Earth, daytime temperatures in the Sahara can reach over 50°C (122°F) in the height of summer between June and August, with the temperature of the sand and rock higher still. In summer, it’s hot! Like 45-50°C (113-122°F) hot. But this isn’t the case all year round and the Sahara Desert climate fluctuates massively between summer and winter, and between daytime and nighttime.
Average temperatures in the day typically range from 40-45°C (104-113°F), dropping only to 25°C (77°F) when the sun sets. In wintertime, temperatures are much milder but still wonderfully warm. Average daytime temperatures during the winter months of November to February range from 18-25°C (64-77°F), dropping to close to freezing sometimes as the sun drops.
Wild Sahara Desert temperature swings aren’t uncommon either and often come with the setting of the sun or the winds that rampage across the sands. Annual rainfall is usually less than 100mm (4in) and the Sahara Desert weather is typically hot and dry. Sandstorms are not uncommon, brought on by strong winds, and offer the only variation in an otherwise consistent pattern of weather.
The average desert temperatures above mean that the shoulder months of March to May, and September to October, are the most pleasant times to visit. Daytime temperatures are warm, 18-25°C (64-77°F), but nighttime temperatures remain relatively mild without the same dramatic drops of summer and winter.
The best time to visit the Sahara all depends on what you want to do. The warm temperatures of spring and autumn may still be too hot for some people, so visiting in winter could be more appealing.
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For the most comfortable temperatures for your Sahara holiday, the best time to go is spring or autumn. This way, not only are you avoiding intense summer heat, but also the very chilly night time temperatures you’ll get out in the open in December and January. Morocco holidays which include time in the Sahara run throughout the year, but believe us, in the summer it will be hot - around 40°C by July.
Between May and September, some tours of the Sahara don’t operate - as it’s simply too hot. In the summer months temperatures can get to the high 40°Cs in the desert, so hot that even wildlife doesn’t venture out in the daytime.
Seasonal Temperatures and Activities
Understanding the impact of seasons is crucial when planning your trip. Each season offers its own set of adventures and challenges.
Spring (March to May): From March to May, spring is often hailed as one of the best times to explore the Sahara Desert. The Morocco desert weather is mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F), making it comfortable for outdoor activities. Nights are cooler but not as freezing as in the winter months, averaging around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).
Summer (June to August): Summer in the Sahara, from June to August, is not for the faint of heart. Temperatures can soar up to 45°C (113°F) during the day, making it a challenging time for those not accustomed to extreme heat-even nighttime offers little respite, with lows hovering around 30°C (86°F).
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Autumn (September to November): As the scorching heat of summer gives way to the milder temperatures of autumn, September to November becomes a sweet spot for visiting the Sahara. Daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). At the same time, the night in the Sahara desert, Morocco is cooler but manageable at around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F).
Winter (December to February): Winter, stretching from December to February, brings different magic to the Sahara. While daytime temperatures are relatively mild, ranging from 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F), nights can get quite chilly, dropping to as low as 5°C (41°F). So, if you’re planning a winter visit, packing layers is a must.
Popular Activities and Their Best Times
When it comes to the Sahara, the range of activities is as vast as the desert itself. However, timing is everything. Here are some of our favourite activities and the best times to enjoy them:
- Camel Trekking: The best times to embark on a camel trekking in the Morocco desert are spring and autumn. These seasons offer mild temperatures, ensuring a comfortable ride through the expansive dunes.
- Sandboarding: For thrill-seekers looking to try sandboarding in the Sahara, the ideal times to visit are autumn and winter. The cooler weather during these seasons ensures that the sand isn’t unbearably hot, allowing for a more enjoyable experience as you glide down the dunes.
- Photography: For photography enthusiasts, the Sahara Desert offers a visual feast, especially during the autumn and spring. The softer light during these seasons acts as a natural filter, enhancing the quality of your photos.
- Cultural Tours: For those interested in diving deeper into the rich cultural tapestry of the Sahara, winter is the best time for cultural tours. The cooler temperatures make exploring local communities and interacting with residents comfortable, offering a more intimate and authentic experience.
Pro Tip: Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting conditions and are great for capturing photos of some rare Morocco desert animals.
Local Events and Festivals
When planning your trip to the Sahara, it’s worth considering the local events and festivals that might coincide with your visit. These cultural experiences can add a unique layer to your desert adventure.
- Ramadan: Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, varies yearly based on the lunar calendar. During this period, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset.
- Mawazine Festival: Usually held in June, the Mawazine Festival in Rabat is a musical extravaganza featuring local and international artists.
- Erfoud Date Festival: Taking place in October, the Erfoud Date Festival is a celebration of the annual date harvest. Located close to the Sahara, the festival features music, dancing, and, naturally, an abundance of dates.
- Imilchil Marriage Festival: Held in September, the Imilchil Marriage Festival is a unique cultural event in the Atlas Mountains. During the festival, young men and women from local Berber tribes come together to find a spouse.
Pro Tip: Be respectful of the fasting period and avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours.
Here's a table summarizing the best times for different activities and events in the Sahara Desert:
| Activity/Event | Best Time to Visit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Camel Trekking | Spring and Autumn | Mild temperatures for comfortable rides |
| Sandboarding | Autumn and Winter | Cooler weather, sand not too hot |
| Photography | Spring and Autumn | Softer light for better photos |
| Cultural Tours | Winter | Cooler temperatures for exploring communities |
| Ramadan | Varies Yearly | Spiritual experience, respect local customs |
| Mawazine Festival | June | Musical extravaganza in Rabat |
| Erfoud Date Festival | October | Celebration of date harvest near Sahara |
| Imilchil Marriage Festival | September | Berber marriage traditions in Atlas Mountains |
Accessing the Sahara Desert from Morocco
You can access the Sahara Desert from all over the north of Africa, however there are some gateway countries that are more attractive to visit than others, for various reasons. Places such as Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are the most common for visitors to experience the magnificent Sahara from, although you can still access the desert from others.
We recommend the Sahara Desert in Morocco as an excellent option - travel distances are shorter overall, safer, and their infrastructure is more navigable than that of neighbouring countries. A particular treat of accessing the Sahara from here is the epic journey across the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. You know we particularly love a mountain range!
Whilst you can’t do a day trip Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech, the distances are too far, you can do longer Sahara Desert trips from this exotic city. In fact, it’s one of the most popular places to begin Sahara Desert tours, as there is an international airport here, and the city offers plenty of entertainment before or afterwards.
A Sahara Desert Marrakech trip would need to be at least 3 days, but 5 or 6 days is better, to lessen the travel distances each day.
Exploring the Sahara
Only 25% of the desert is actually made up of sand. The rest is rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds, gravel plains, mountains and various oases. As such, there are communities thriving in desert regions across all 11 countries, both within the interior of the Sahara and along the perimeter.
You may have heard of the Berber, the indigenous people of north Africa. Traditionally farmers, traders and herders, many Berbers still follow a nomadic lifestyle moving with livestock to better grazing and water access as necessary. Other inhabitants live in settlements scattered throughout the desert connected by dusty, unpaved highways.
Arabs, Tuareg, Toubou, and a handful of other indigenous people, still reside in the desert, often gathered in communities around oases or along trade routes. It is thought that roughly 2.5 million people live in the Sahara Desert, working, trading and living in harmony with this seemingly inhospitable environment.
Besides that familiar icon of the desert, the humble camel, there are plenty of desert animals in the Sahara that have adapted to life here, although not many can survive days without water. Antelope, foxes, lizards, snakes and geckos are all commonly spotted amongst the sands. Smaller still are the beetles, scorpions and locusts that survive in the hot, dry conditions. There are wolves and hyena living along the edges of the Sahara, scavenging on the gazelle, sheep and other mammals that graze here.
A surprising amount of birdlife can be found in the desert too, ranging from migratory birds passing through seasonally and species of sparrow, lark, finch and warbler, who have adapted to the arid conditions.
Adventure Activities in the Sahara
There are tons of adventure activities you can try here, from trekking and camping under the stars, to sandboarding, camel riding and quad biking. Camels are used for ferrying supplies as they can last days without water, making them a low-maintenance form of transportation.
Riding a camel is one of the most popular ways to explore the desert, lolling over the dunes slowly as your eyes take in the vast landscapes void of pollution, noise or distraction. Most Sahara tours will include a chance to camp out in the desert which is much better for the animals as you know they’ll be getting rested overnight, which isn’t always the case.
Endless stars meet the horizon in the desert after the sun has gone down. There are few places where the night sky is this spectacular. Camping out in the desert, whether staying in a traditional Berber camp or not, you’ll have dinner cooked over fire, likely to the backdrop of local storytelling about life here, before reclining under a sparkling starry sky. This is one of the most popular things to do here and it’s super easy to see why.
If the pace of camel trekking is a little too sedate, try quad biking in the Sahara instead! Race over the dunes and catch air flying down the crests as you zip across the sand. An exhilarating, if noisy, way to explore the desert that appeals to many.
Personally, we prefer to experience the desert on two feet. Walking slowly over the dunes, spotting rocky landmarks, shy creatures and simply enjoying the solitude is a pleasure like no other. Trekking in the Sahara is such a unique experience - so different to hiking up mountains, crossing valleys and walking through jungle.
If escaping humanity, seeking solace and getting a little peace and quiet is your bag, then head to Morocco to revel in the soulful sands of the Sahara. The team at Kandoo LOVE trekking - it’s how we spend all our free time! When we’re not talking about trekking destinations, we’re planning our next jaunt or helping others plot their next adventure.
We firmly believe there is nowhere else in the world where you can fully immerse yourself in a wilderness as completely encompassing as the Sahara Desert. It’s one of those places where you don’t have to stay long to fall in love with the solitude, the local customs, the warm hospitality and the complete escape a Sahara Desert trip offers.
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