Is Merzouga Safe?

When checked in November 2026, no part of Morocco, Merzouga included, was under a UK government warning against travel. The UK travel advice for Morocco, written for UK travellers, sets out the risks that matter on this route: the land border with Algeria is closed and must not be crossed, heavy rain can cause flash floods in winter, driving at night is dangerous on poorly lit roads, and quad bikes need a helmet every time. Travellers from other countries should read their own government’s advice as well.

The border with Algeria

The Moroccan authorities have closed the land and sea borders between Morocco and Algeria, and they patrol and closely monitor them; crossing without authorisation is illegal, so do not attempt it (UK government travel advice for Morocco). On a quad bike, a 4x4 outing or a walk in the dunes, follow your guide rather than heading off on your own.

Floods, roads and night driving

Heavy rain can cause flash flooding in some areas, particularly in the mountains or near rivers during the winter months, and walking and driving can be dangerous in flooded areas (UK government travel advice). It has happened here: on 14 December 2025 the gendarmerie rescued two Spanish tourists swept away by floodwater at Sidi Ali, near Merzouga, and the authorities warned against crossing flooded riverbeds (Hespress). On the road from Marrakech, the Tizi n’Tichka pass over the High Atlas was shut by snow and rockfall on 20 January 2026 while road crews cleared it (Hespress).

For drivers: poor lighting can make it dangerous to drive at night, secondary routes and mountain roads can be especially hazardous in poor weather, and road accidents are frequent in Morocco (UK government travel advice). Merzouga is 553 km by road from Marrakech, over the High Atlas, and 461 km from Fes, over the Middle Atlas.

If you would rather not drive those roads yourself, the 3-day trips put you in an air-conditioned van with a driver-guide and split the road over two days, with a hotel night on the way. Ando Travel Ltd’s From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food, below, picks you up at your Marrakech hotel or riad; Option 1, the shared tour with a standard camp, was $117 on promotion, usually $134 (checked November 2026). Its last day ends in Marrakech at about 8 pm, after dark in winter, so the trip does not avoid every hour of night driving; it does put it in a professional driver’s hands.

Quad bikes, camels and the camp

On quad bikes the UK advice is blunt: accidents involving British nationals frequently occur in resort areas, safety standards vary considerably, and you should always wear a crash helmet. Providers of adventure activities may not meet UK safety standards, and some travel insurance policies do not cover activities such as riding quad bikes, so check yours before you ride. On the 3-day trips named on this site the quad is an extra or a dearer option, not part of the cheapest one.

The camel ride is the way into the camp on the trips named on this site. If you would rather not ride, Ando Travel Ltd’s trip takes you to the camp by 4x4 instead when you ask at least a day ahead, and the 2-day trip from Fes by van when a health problem rules out the camel. Ando Travel Ltd’s trip is not suitable for pregnant women. There are no cash machines in the desert, so carry the cash you need for lunches, drinks and tips from the city.

Terrorism, and travelling as a woman

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Morocco, possibly in places visited by foreigners, such as transport hubs and tourist sites, in the UK government’s assessment; stay aware of your surroundings and follow the local authorities’ advice. That warning covers the whole country, not Merzouga in particular. Women may receive unwanted attention, especially when travelling alone, and loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms, legs and chest is the UK advice, which in the desert also keeps off the sun.

The full advice is on the UK government’s Morocco travel advice pages (checked November 2026).