Quick answer: Morocco is a great family destination: Moroccans are very welcoming to children, the food is mild, and the Sahara is a giant natural playground. The keys to a happy trip with kids are short driving days (split the long Marrakech to Merzouga drive), travelling in spring or autumn, a comfortable desert camp with private bathroom, and simple activities like short camel rides and sandboarding.
Some of the happiest guests we host in Merzouga are families. Children usually forget the long drive the moment they see the dunes, and within minutes they are rolling down the sand while parents watch the sunset. We have planned many family trips, and we know that what works for couples does not always work with a six-year-old. Here is our honest, practical advice.
Why Morocco works for families
- Children are welcome everywhere. Moroccans love kids, and you will find people offering them smiles, bread or a game.
- Short flights from Europe: around 3 to 4 hours from most European capitals, with little or no jet lag.
- Real adventures: camels, dunes, mud-brick villages, markets and mountain roads feel like a storybook.
- Simple, tasty food: bread, couscous, omelettes, grilled chicken and fruit are easy wins.
Pacing: the most important decision
Distances are the main challenge. Marrakech to Merzouga is about 560 km, and Fes to Merzouga about 470 km. With children, we recommend never more than 5 to 6 hours of driving in a day, with a stop every 1.5 to 2 hours.
| Stage | Approx. drive | Family-friendly break |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou / Ouarzazate | 4 hours | Picnic in the High Atlas, climbing the ksar |
| Ouarzazate to Dades Valley | 2 hours | Kasbah with pool, easy walk among rock formations |
| Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorge | 5 to 6 hours | Paddling in the shallow Todra river |
| Merzouga to Fes | 7 to 8 hours | Split at Midelt or Ifrane if possible |
That is why our family itineraries run over more days than a classic three-day tour, with at least two nights in the Merzouga area.
The desert with kids
Camel rides
Camels are the highlight for most children. For young kids we keep rides short, 20 to 45 minutes instead of the full trek, and a guide always leads the camel on foot. Very small children usually ride in front of a parent. Anyone uneasy can walk alongside; nobody has to ride.
Sandboarding and dune play
Sliding down a dune on a board or simply running down the sand keeps children busy for hours. Our guide on family activities in Merzouga lists more ideas, from visiting a nomad family to fossil hunting and swimming pools at the edge of the dunes.
The camp
For families we recommend a camp with private tents and en-suite bathrooms. It makes bedtime, night-time toilet trips and morning routines much easier. Ask for a family tent or connecting tents. Camps are quiet after 10 pm, and the sky is spectacular; children often remember the stars most of all.
Health, heat and safety
- Sun: the desert sun is strong in every season. Hats, sunglasses, long sleeves and high-factor sunscreen are essential.
- Water: drink bottled water and keep it with you in the car. Children dehydrate faster than adults.
- Food: choose freshly cooked hot dishes, peel fruit and wash hands often. Pack any familiar snacks your kids rely on.
- Night cold: in winter, desert nights can drop close to 0°C. Pack warm pyjamas and a fleece.
- Wildlife: scorpions and snakes are rarely seen around busy camps, but teach children to shake out shoes and not to put hands into holes.
- Medical care: Merzouga has a small health centre and pharmacies are in Rissani and Erfoud; the nearest hospital is in Errachidia, about 130 km away. Bring a basic kit and have travel insurance.
Parents often ask us whether the Sahara is safe for young children. We answer this in detail in our article on travelling the Sahara desert with children.
Keeping everyone happy on the road
Build the day around small rewards: a juice stop in a village, a walk in a palm grove, a game of spotting camels, donkeys and storks' nests on kasbah towers. Our drivers know where the clean toilets and shady cafés are, and they are used to unplanned stops for car-sick children.
Best season and age
October to November and March to April are ideal: warm days and comfortable nights. Late December and the Easter holidays are also popular with families, but the nights are cooler and camps fill up early. Avoid June to August in the desert with small children, when the heat often exceeds 40°C.
There is no minimum age for a desert trip, but in our experience children from about 4 or 5 years old enjoy it most because they can walk, play in the sand and remember it. Babies and toddlers travel fine too, with more planning around naps and car seats.
Practical packing list for families
- Child car seats if needed (tell us in advance; they are not standard in Morocco)
- Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Scarves or buffs to protect faces from wind and sand
- Light long-sleeve clothes and a warm layer for evenings
- Sandals or closed shoes you can empty easily
- Wet wipes, hand sanitiser and a small first-aid kit
- Tablets or books for the long drives, plus a small bucket for the sand
Plan a family Sahara trip with us
We are a small local team in Merzouga, and we build family trips around children's rhythms: shorter drives, pools, safe camels and plenty of free play in the dunes. Our 8-day family Morocco and Sahara adventure starts from around €980 per person and is fully private, with family tents and car seats on request. Tell us your children's ages and dates through our contact page, and we will suggest a pace that works for everyone.
