Is Merzouga or Zagora better for a two-night desert trip?

For a two-night desert trip, Merzouga is the better choice — its Erg Chebbi dunes are the tall, classic golden Sahara you picture, whereas Zagora’s desert is flatter, rockier and less spectacular. Merzouga is further from Marrakech (a long day’s drive), but two nights gives you the time to make the distance worthwhile.

Zagora’s advantage is purely that it’s closer, which suits a rushed one-night trip; with two nights you can comfortably reach the real dunes of Merzouga and still have a full day in the sand. The camps, camel treks and sunrises there are simply more dramatic.

So if the big Sahara dunes are what you’re after and you have two nights to spend, choose Merzouga. Save Zagora for when time is very tight, and be clear that its scenery is a different, gentler kind of desert.