Our first thought after deciding to travel to Morocco was simple: we had to spend at least 3–4 days in the desert. Who knows when we’d ever make it back? We wanted to fully soak it in.

That’s when the search for the perfect desert accommodation in Morocco began. Taking the campervan into the dunes was never an option. (Yes, we rented a campervan for our Morocco road trip — it felt like the most practical and flexible choice for our family.) But for the desert itself, we wanted something different. We wanted to truly feel its atmosphere.

1. Why We Chose Arawan Luxury Desert Camp
2. How to Get to Erg Lihoudi and Arawan
3. What Arawan Camp Looks Like
4. What the Luxury Tents Are Like
5. What You Eat at a Desert Camp in Morocco
6. Things to Do in Erg Lihoudi
7. FAQs About Arawan and Erg Lihoudi
8. Other Articles in the “Morocco with Kids” Series
9. Conclusion

Why We Chose Arawan Luxury Desert Camp

We were looking for a traditional desert camp where we could experience the Amazigh spirit, be surrounded by dunes and not ATVs, and wake up to sunrise instead of the sound of engines.

While researching the Merzouga area, we noticed that many camps there are quite close together. Beautiful, yes, but crowded. That’s when we shifted our focus to the other famous desert in southern Morocco: Erg Lihoudi, located south of Zagora, near the Algerian border. There, camps are scattered sparsely among the dunes. Fewer tents. More space. More silence. Exactly what we were looking for: peace, authenticity, and a desert that felt like our own.

Arawan Luxury Desert Camp checked every box. If this feels like your kind of Sahara experience also, you can book your stay at Arawan Luxury Desert Camp through Journeys & Zen platform, specializing in organized and guided tours across Morocco for travelers who want a seamless, authentic experience.

How to Get to Erg Lihoudi and Arawan

Arawan Luxury Desert Camp is located in southeastern Morocco, in Erg Lihoudi desert, about 80 km from Zagora and roughly 400 km from Marrakech (yes, closer than Merzouga). You cannot reach the camp directly with a regular car. The final stretch across the dunes is only accessible by 4×4 jeep, organized by the camp.

The meeting point is at a gas station in Tagounite, where guests can safely leave their car for the duration of their stay. We left ours there for four days without any issues.

The transfer from Tagounite is part of the adventure. Our driver was the owner’s uncle, a cheerful elderly man who showed up in an authentic desert Land Rover — rattling from every joint. It felt like stepping straight into an Indiana Jones scene. Honestly, there’s no better way to enter the desert atmosphere.

If you don’t have a car, the owner, Salem, can arrange transport from Zagora or even Marrakech upon request. He speaks excellent English and is extremely helpful with logistics.

What Arawan Camp Looks Like

After our dune drive, we arrived at camp, where Salem welcomed us with traditional Moroccan tea. His cat, Rmyla, greeted us too, immediately winning over the kids.

We sat inside the restaurant-tent while Salem shared stories about his childhood in the desert, growing up in a nomadic Amazigh family, and his dream of creating a camp where visitors could truly experience southern Morocco’s authentic lifestyle.

The camp is small and intimate. Besides the restaurant-tent, there are only six guest tents, arranged for two, three, or four people. In the center stands a large fire pit — which instantly became the kids’ favorite spot. They really missed a camp fire!

What the Luxury Tents Are Like

We stayed in a four-person tent with one large double bed and two single beds. And these are real beds, with solid frames and proper mattresses, not floor mats or inflatable mattresses, as you sometimes find in other desert camps in Morocco.

Because we visited during maybe the coldest winter in history 🙈 (temperatures dropped to around 5°C at night), we were grateful for the thick blankets provided. Normally, desert winters are milder, with good temperatures even in December.

The tent was surprisingly spacious, with bedside tables, a small coffee table, and storage furniture.

And the bathroom? Each tent has its own private bathroom with running water, a hot shower, and a proper toilet. Having that level of comfort in the middle of the dunes feels almost unreal.

That being said, a gentle reminder: water in the desert is not an asset, it’s luxury. Use it mindfully.

What You Eat at a Desert Camp in Morocco

At Arawan Luxury Desert Camp you don’t have to worry about food. Salem and his team will feed you well, traditional and healthy. Of course all three meals are included, it’s not like you’ll find any restaurants around :)) But you don’t need any, because Salem cooks fresh and tasty Moroccan dishes.

Lunch and dinner featured Moroccan tajine (a must-try), traditional soups, and couscous. Breakfast included freshly baked flatbread, olives, cheese, jams, yogurt, milk, fresh juice, and fruit salad.

Bottled water, Moroccan tea and coffee were always available. There was even a bottle of water waiting for us in the tent — a small but meaningful gesture in a desert setting.

Things to Do in Erg Lihoudi

We stayed here for three nights and never once felt bored. Beyond endless dune walks (which somehow never get old — especially when you practically have the desert to yourself), the camp provides sandboards, a telescope for stargazing, and organized activities. Of course we tried everything!

Sandboarding was the kids’ absolute favorite — though we all tried it and loved it.

At night, we used the telescope to observe the Moon’s craters, Orion’s Belt and nebula, Sirius, Jupiter with its four moons, and the Pleiades. With zero light pollution, the desert sky looks completely different.

When temperatures dropped, we gathered around the campfire, listened to traditional Amazigh music, clapped along, and even shared a few Romanian folk songs in return. It was one of those rare, genuine cultural exchanges you don’t forget.

FAQs About Arawan and Erg Lihoudi

❓ How many nights should you stay in Erg Lihoudi?

We stayed three nights, and it felt just right.

One night is beautiful but rushed.
Two nights allow you to slow down.
Three nights completely reset your rhythm.

You get to watch the sunrise without thinking about packing, explore the dunes on safari or camel rides, and let the kids play freely without schedule pressure.

❓ Is Arawan suitable for families with children?

Yes — absolutely. With only six tents, no ATV traffic, and a safe, contained setting, it’s ideal for families. Activities like sandboarding, camel rides, cooking classes, stargazing, and campfires keep children engaged while still offering authentic desert immersion.

❓ What’s the difference between Erg Lihoudi and Merzouga?

Merzouga is more popular and significantly busier, with many camps located close to one another.

Erg Lihoudi is quieter, more isolated, and feels more authentic. If you want a Sahara experience without engine noise or a resort-like atmosphere, Erg Lihoudi is the better choice.

Other Articles in the “Morocco with Kids” Series

👉 Our full one-month itinerary through mountains, desert and cities (coming soon)

👉 Our campervan road trip and why it was the best decision (link here)

👉 Desert safari, tajine cooking class, camel ride, sandboarding & full desert experience (coming soon)

Conclusion

If you ask me now where I’d return without hesitation, the answer is simple: back to Erg Lihoudi, back to Arawan. For the mornings when we stepped outside the tent and saw nothing but dunes. For the evenings when the fire cracked and Amazigh music filled the air. Because Salem doesn’t just run a camp, he shares his story through it. And because, of all the places we’ve been in Morocco, this is where we felt most clearly that we were truly far away from everything, but right where we needed to be.

And the kids? They still ask when we’re going back to “our desert”. I think that says it all. So, if you’re planning a Morocco itinerary with kids, include at least one slow, immersive desert stay. It completely changes the rhythm of your trip.

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Happy exploring!