How cold are Sahara nights in winter?

From December to February, desert nights can drop close to 0°C. Desert camps provide warm blankets, but bring a warm jacket and layers for the evening and early morning.

Is it too hot to visit the Sahara in summer?

Summer days often exceed 40°C. It is still possible to visit, but plan camel rides for sunrise and sunset, rest during the hottest hours and drink plenty of water.

When is it windy in the Sahara?

Spring can be windier, and sand winds are more likely around March and April. Autumn is usually calmer, which makes it one of the most comfortable seasons.

When is the best time for stargazing in the desert?

The Sahara offers clear skies most of the year. For the most stars, choose dates close to the new moon, when the sky is darkest.

How many days do I need for a Sahara trip from Marrakech?

For the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, plan at least 3 days from Marrakech. For a shorter trip, Zagora can be visited in 2 days.

What is the hottest month in the Moroccan Sahara?

July is usually the hottest month, with daytime temperatures in Merzouga and Zagora often above 40°C. Camps stay open, but a desert trip is much more comfortable in spring or autumn.

Is the Sahara too cold in winter?

Days are mild and sunny, but nights between December and February can approach freezing. Good camps provide thick blankets, and winter offers the clearest stargazing.

Dakar Rally Returns to Morocco After Nearly 20 Years

Short answer: several motorsport outlets report that the Dakar Rally 2027 will leave Saudi Arabia and cross into Morocco, the first time the rally comes back to North Africa since the 2007 edition. The organisers (ASO) have not yet published the official route, so treat the details below as reported, not confirmed.

Sahara dunes in Morocco, the landscape of the desert rally

For anyone who grew up with the Paris-Dakar, this is big news. The rally crossed Morocco for years on its way south, then left Africa after the 2008 edition was cancelled for security reasons. Nearly two decades later, the world’s most famous rally raid is reported to be heading back to the dunes and stony tracks of the Moroccan south.

What has been reported so far

The 2027 Dakar is reported to start in Europe and cross to Africa by ferry, rather than being held in Saudi Arabia, because of security concerns in the Middle East.
Reported dates: a prologue around 9 January and a finish around 22 January 2027.
Reported format: 12 stages, a rest day, a marathon stage and roughly 4,900 km of route.
The exact Moroccan stages, bivouacs and start location have not been confirmed. The official route announcement is expected in the coming days.

We will update this page once ASO publishes the official route.

Why Morocco suits a rally raid

The south of Morocco has everything a rally needs: the giant dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, the stony plains and dry riverbeds around Zagora and Ouarzazate, the Atlas passes and wide open hammada. Teams already test their machines here in winter, and the region has hosted rally raids for decades, so the local infrastructure for large events is well established.

See the rally country as a traveller

You do not need a race bib to enjoy the same landscapes. Our private journeys take you through them at a gentler pace, with your own driver-guide and a night in a desert camp under the stars:

Planning to follow the Dakar in Morocco?

If the route is confirmed, expect busy roads and full hotels near the bivouacs in January. Book early, and ask us to build a trip around the stages you want to see. We can arrange the transfers, the stay and the best viewing points, tailor-made and private.

When did the Dakar last run in Morocco?

The rally last crossed Morocco in the 2007 edition. The 2008 Dakar was cancelled the day before the start, and the event later moved to South America and then Saudi Arabia.

Is the 2027 route to Morocco official?

Not yet. The move has been reported by specialist media, but the official route is still to be announced by the organisers.

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