The short answer: March to May and September to November. Days are warm, nights are cool enough to sleep comfortably in a desert camp, and the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are at their golden-hour best. Below is what to expect month by month, based on a decade of running desert trips.
Shoulder seasons: the sweet spot
Spring (mid-March to mid-May) and autumn (mid-September to early November) are the windows we push hardest with returning travellers. Daytime temperatures sit around 22–30 °C (72–86 °F), the sand isn't scorching at midday, and night-time drops to a fresh 10–14 °C — perfect for stargazing around the campfire without shivering.
June to August: hot, but doable
Midsummer gets intense. Highs can hit 45 °C in Merzouga and Chigaga, and walking barefoot on the dunes between 11am and 4pm becomes unpleasant. We still run trips, but we shift the programme: camel rides at sunrise and sunset only, long riad lunches in M'hamid or Rissani, and more time in shaded valleys like Dadès and Todra.
December to February: bring a jumper
Winter is underrated. The light is spectacular — long, slanting, photographer's dream — and the camps are quiet. But nights can drop close to freezing. Our camps add wool blankets, thicker mattresses and a central stove. If you feel the cold, bring a proper beanie and a down jacket for the sunrise climb up the big dunes.
One month to avoid, if you can
Late July and the first two weeks of August coincide with both peak heat and peak European holiday crowds. Prices at the best camps rise and availability drops. If your only window is August, book 8–10 weeks ahead and expect to travel at dawn.
Our honest pick
If we had one week and full flexibility, we'd fly into Marrakech in mid-October. The Atlas passes are crisp, the dunes are warm but not hot, and you can swim in Essaouira on the way back. Close second: late April — wildflowers in the Ourika valley, almond trees still in bloom, and the Sahara nights are perfect.
Need help picking dates? Tell us your window and we'll send back a draft itinerary within 24 hours.
