Erg Chigaga, Morocco
From Ouarzazate, we drove in a 4X4 for five hours to M'hamid, had lunch and kept going for another 2 hours. That was a bumpy ride! This road is actually used for the Paris-Dakar rally.
Erg Chigaga is very different from Erg Chebi. I have affectionately renamed Erg Chigaga the "Disney Dunes". Our camp was much more comfortable than our tent in Erg Chebi. The 'bivouac' had mud walls which made the inside much warmer than camel skin with holes. It was more comfortable than a Best Western, seriously.
The dunes are much smaller. Quads reminded me of a sea-doo on a quiet lake in the summer. There are foot prints everywhere.
I was happy to see at least one desert creature! A little (I mean giant) beetle. I am glad I saw it on our last day otherwise I might not have slept that well. It's winter, all other insects were hibernating.
6 comments:
Hi!
Came upon your blog while searching for more information about Erg Chigaga...my lady and I will be there in March! I'm wondering if you could share details on how you made it to the dunes, exactly. I'm not sure as to the best approach, beyond getting to M'Hamid and engaging a local guide from there. Did you drive a 4X4 all the way to Erg Chigaga? Any advice would be most appreciated :) daruszahm@hotmail.com
Hi there,
Do you know how tall the dunes are in Erg Chigaga?
thanks :)
Hi
The bivouac you are talking about in your blog is located at 7 km from Mhamid village, it is called El mezouaria, if you want have much more info about it
check this
http://www.ouarzazate-unlimited.com/accomodation-in-morocco/bivouacs-desert-morocco/
Hi,
Erg Chigaga dunes in Mhamid El ghizlane are at the height of 300m on a length of 40 km.
On the surroundings of Erg Chigaga there are other sand dunes like Erg Ezzahar (the howling dunes) at a height of 200 m and a length of 20 km. Also, there are the dunes of Mezouaria 7 km from Mhamid.
I am answering as an expert in Morocco desert Tours and one of the staff of Morocco Discovery Holidays team.
For more information and details check our web site:
www.morocco-discovery.com
All the best to you
Hi,
The dunes of Erg Chigaga are 300 m high on a length of 40 Km. These sand dunes are 56 Km from the desert gate ( Mhamid). In your way ( off road) you will have time to stop and enjoy the tamarisk trees, nomad life , and also a nice Oasis.
Likewise, on the surroundings of Erg Chigaga there are other sand dunes like Erg Ezzahar, Erg Esmer, Erg Sadra, Erg Elghoul...etc
As we are expert in Morocco Desert Tours (including 4x4 safari tours and camel trekking tours) we can help you if you need any further information.
For more details you can check our web site: www.morocco-discovery.com
All the best
Morocco Discovery Holidays
As Said explained to reach the sand dunes of Erg Chigaga you have to travel from M'hamid another 60km off road to even reach these spectacular sand dune region.
There are many camps set up just few kilometers away from M'hamid and they do not offer the experience that you would have at Erg Chigaga.
To reach Erg Chigaga sand dunes 4x4 is required. The easiest way is to book a trip from Marrakech for 3 days/2 nights or even longer.
The tents in Erg Chigaga are as good as in Erg Chebbi. They have carpets on the floor, comfortable mattresses as well as clean linen. There are even bathroom. You can get anything better then this middle of the Sahara Desert
www.your-morocco-tour.com
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