Spending New Year in the Sahara is one of the most special ways to welcome a new year: a festive dinner in a desert camp, Gnawa and Berber music around the fire, a sky full of stars and, the next morning, the first sunrise of the year from the top of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
How our New Year in the Sahara trip works
We leave Marrakech or Fes on 29 or 30 December and arrive in Merzouga in time for the 31 December celebrations. The camp prepares a special dinner and evening programme, and on 1 January you continue to Fes or back to Marrakech through the gorges and kasbahs of the south.
Suggested route for New Year in the Sahara
- 29 December: Marrakech to the Dades Valley over the High Atlas, with a stop at Ait Ben Haddou.
- 30 December: Todra Gorge and the road to Merzouga, camel ride at sunset and the first night in camp.
- 31 December: a free day in the dunes – 4x4 tour, nomad visit, sandboarding – then the New Year dinner and music by the fire.
- 1 January: sunrise over the dunes and the drive north through the Ziz Valley and the cedar forests to Fes.
The same New Year in the Sahara trip can also start from Fes and end in Marrakech. Tell us your flights and we will fit the route around them.
Good to know
- Desert nights in winter are cold (around 0–5 °C): bring a warm jacket, a hat and thick socks. Camps provide heavy blankets.
- Places are limited and dates are fixed, so New Year trips usually sell out by October.
- A gala dinner supplement may apply in some camps – it is always shown in your quote.
Check desert weather a few days before you leave on the Moroccan weather service and pack extra warm layers.
What the New Year in the Sahara offer includes
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver for the whole trip
- Pick-up and drop-off at your airport, riad or hotel
- Accommodation with breakfast in hand-picked riads, hotels and camps
- Dinner and breakfast in the desert camp, camel ride in the dunes
- Fuel, tolls, parking and the driver’s costs
- Support from our team on WhatsApp every day
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees and local guides (on request)
- Optional activities
- Tips
New Year in the Sahara: frequently asked questions
How cold is New Year in the Sahara?
Days are usually sunny and mild, around 15–20 °C, but nights can fall close to 0 °C. Camps provide heavy blankets, and many have heated tents or fires.
Is there a party at the camp for New Year in the Sahara?
Most camps organise a festive dinner with Berber and Gnawa music around the fire. It is a warm, friendly celebration rather than a loud party.
When should I book?
As early as possible – ideally by September. New Year is the busiest week of the year in Merzouga and the best camps fill up fast.
