Arawan Luxury Desert Camp in Erg Lihoudi delivered everything I hoped for in a Moroccan desert experience—authentic cultural immersion, comfortable accommodations, and that sense of complete disconnection from daily life—without any of the roughing-it discomfort I’d worried about. Located in the stunning Erg Lihoudi dunes near M’hamid El Ghizlane, this newly opened camp offers a more remote, intimate desert experience than the better-known Erg Chebbi near Merzouga.
I spent three nights here and came away with experiences I’m still talking about: an impromptu desert picnic gatecrashed by a curious ostrich, learning about traditional pottery techniques in Tamegroute, and falling asleep to the clearest night sky I’ve ever seen. If you’re considering a desert stay but aren’t sure whether Erg Lihoudi is the right choice or how to plan the logistics, here’s what you actually need to know.
Why Erg Lihoudi Over Other Desert Regions
Morocco has several desert areas popular with tourists, but Erg Lihoudi remains refreshingly less crowded than Erg Chebbi. The dunes here are smaller and more scattered—some might see this as a disadvantage, but I found it gave the landscape more character and variety. You’re genuinely in remote desert territory, not a tourist village with dozens of camps clustered together.
Interestingly, Erg Lihoudi is a closer desert region to Marrakesh—about 7 hours and 434km via the N9 through the Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, and Zagora. Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is further at 8-9 hours (556km), though it feels more accessible thanks to fully paved roads. The route to Erg Lihoudi includes some rougher sections, which naturally filters out day-trippers and those on rushed itineraries. Everyone at Arawan had committed to a proper multi-night stay, which created a more relaxed atmosphere.
Getting There: The Journey Through Southern Morocco
The transfer from Marrakesh to Erg Lihoudi isn’t just transport—it’s a proper tour through some of Morocco’s most photogenic landscapes. We booked our transfer through Journeys and Zen Morocco, and I’m glad we did rather than attempting to drive ourselves through unfamiliar mountain roads.
Our driver Mokhtar stopped at viewpoints overlooking the Atlas Mountains where the light was absolutely spectacular for photos. The real highlight was wandering through the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, the ancient fortified village you’ve probably seen in films (yes, Gladiator was filmed here). We had about an hour to explore, which was just enough to appreciate the architecture without feeling rushed.
We also glimpsed the Atlas Film Studios from the road—I didn’t realise how many major productions have been shot in this region. The landscape shifts dramatically as you descend from the mountains toward the desert.
What to Expect at Arawan Camp
The camp itself strikes that perfect balance between desert charm and genuine comfort. The tents are spacious with proper beds (not sleeping bags on the ground), and there’s electricity for charging devices. The shared bathroom facilities are clean and well-maintained—this isn’t roughing it.
What impressed me most was the authentic Moroccan hospitality. Every meal felt like being invited into someone’s home. The tagines, kebabs, and fresh salads were properly home-cooked, not mass-produced camp food. But the star of the show had to be the omelette we received each morning.
Evenings centered around the campfire where local musicians played traditional music. It’s the kind of atmosphere where you lose track of time, wrapped in blankets under that ridiculous canopy of stars. The absence of light pollution in Erg Lihoudi means the Milky Way is clearly visible—something I’d only seen in photos before.
Desert Activities Worth Your Time
Camel Rides and Sandboarding
The camel ride at sunset is non-negotiable—yes, it’s touristy, but it’s genuinely magical watching the light change across the Erg Lihoudi dunes. The ride typically lasts about an hour, long enough to appreciate the landscape without getting saddle-sore. Morocco travel insurance recommendation]
Sandboarding was hilarious fun, even for me who isn’t particularly coordinated. Don’t expect ski-resort quality runs, but it’s a brilliant way to play in the landscape and feel like a kid again.
Wildlife in The Desert
The wildlife drive surprised me. Our guide’s knowledge about desert and some of use of the environment was fascinating. We spotted fennec fox tracks and learned about the medicinal plants that grow in this seemingly barren landscape.
The Erg Lihoudi region is home to more wildlife than you’d expect—Sand gazelle, loads of goats, and numerous birds adapted to arid conditions. Our guides drove around to find them and point out signs of life we’d have walked straight past.
That Ostrich Picnic
The camp arranged a picnic lunch out in the dunes, complete with blankets and traditional dishes. About halfway through, an ostrich wandered over and decided to join us. It was simultaneously absurd and delightful—the kind of unexpected moment that makes travel memorable and gives you stories you’ll tell for years.
Practical Details You’ll Want to Know
Best Time to Visit Erg Lihoudi: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer comfortable temperatures. We visited in early December and found it ideal—warm, sunny days around 18-20°C perfect for activities, and crisp evenings that made the campfire genuinely cozy. You’ll need proper layers for nighttime as temperatures can drop to 5-10°C, but it’s nothing a good jacket can’t handle. Summer can be brutally hot (40°C+), making outdoor activities uncomfortable, while deep winter (January-February) brings the coldest nights.
What to Pack: Layers are essential—the temperature swings between day and night are significant. Bring a proper torch for navigating between tents after dark, sunscreen, lip balm (the desert air is incredibly drying), and a power bank for your devices. A scarf or lightweight shawl serves multiple purposes—sun protection, warmth in the evening, and respectful coverage when visiting villages.
Other Activities Available: The camp offers stargazing sessions (the lack of light pollution in Erg Lihoudi makes this spectacular) and cooking classes where you can learn to make traditional Moroccan dishes. We ran out of time for these, but other guests raved about both experiences.
Mobile Signal: Patchy to non-existent, which is honestly refreshing. The camp has WiFi in common areas if you absolutely need connectivity, though even that can be temperamental. Download any maps, entertainment, or essential information before you leave Marrakesh.
Length of Stay: Three nights felt perfect for experiencing everything without feeling rushed. Two nights is doable but you’ll be packing a lot into a short time given the long transfer. One night feels too brief considering the journey time.
Is Erg Lihoudi Worth the Extra Travel Time?
For me, absolutely. While Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is more accessible and has larger, more dramatic dunes, the remote feeling of Erg Lihoudi and the smaller scale of tourism here made the experience feel more authentic. There’s something special about being in a landscape where you genuinely feel far from everything.
The combination of genuine cultural experience, comfortable camping, and that dramatic desert landscape made this one of the standout experiences of our Morocco trip. It’s not budget travel—luxury desert camping comes at a premium—but the value is in the complete package: accommodation, meals, activities, transfers, and that sense of being properly immersed in a different way of life. Want to know more? Contact Journeys and Zen Morocco for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How physically demanding are the activities at Arawan?
Nothing requires serious fitness. The camel rides are gentle, sandboarding is as energetic as you make it, and the wildlife drives are done in vehicles. Even the walking around camp and to activities is minimal.
Can I visit Erg Lihoudi as a day trip from Marrakesh?
Absolutely not practical. You’d spend five to eight hours in a vehicle one way for perhaps two hours at the camp and then head back again. The evening atmosphere around the campfire and the star-filled night sky are highlights you’d miss entirely. Plan for at least two nights, ideally three.
What’s the situation with facilities at desert camps in Erg Lihoudi?
Arawan luxury desert camp has bathroom facilities with flush toilets and running water—proper plumbing, not pit latrines. Showers have warm water. Electricity in tents is available for charging devices. It’s comfortable camping rather than hotel-standard facilities, however it really isnt dirt camping either.
Plan Your Erg Lihoudi Adventure
Arawan Luxury Desert Camp in Erg Lihoudi offers that increasingly rare travel experience—genuine immersion in a different landscape and culture without sacrificing comfort. From the dramatic drive through the Atlas Mountains to falling asleep under endless stars in one of Morocco’s most remote desert regions, it’s the kind of trip that reminds you why you travel in the first place.
If you’re planning a Morocco itinerary and wondering whether to include a desert stay in Erg Lihoudi versus the more popular Erg Chebbi, consider what matters more to you: accessibility and dramatic scenery, or remoteness and authentic experience. Both are worthwhile, but Erg Lihoudi’s relative obscurity gives it an edge for travellers seeking something beyond the standard tourist trail.
Those three nights gave me a deeper understanding of Morocco’s desert culture and landscapes than any amount of time in the cities could have done. The Erg Lihoudi region deserves its place on your Morocco bucket list.
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