Milky Way Desert Camp

Sleeping under a glass dome in the open desert

Milky Way Desert Camp plays a fairly rare card in the area: transparent dome tents set straight on the sand of Erg Chebbi, far from any light pollution. A planned circuit from Marrakech or a tailor-made arrangement via Excursion Merzouga can include a night here without any major detour.

Arrival is usually at the end of the day, mint tea and dates in hand, while the staff set up the site for the night. The transparent dome is not just a marketing argument: lying down, you literally watch the sky fill with stars without having to leave the tent.

During the day, the camp enjoys the same silence as the rest of Erg Chebbi. The late-afternoon light rakes the surrounding dunes and changes their colour over about an hour — a moment most guests spend on the observation terrace rather than inside.

Between the dome tent for the signature experience and the classic nomad tent for a more traditional desert camp, the choice depends above all on what you are after: the sky, or the atmosphere of the camp.

The dome tents and the comfort on site

The glass structure of the domes naturally heats up more slowly than a classic canvas tent as soon as the sun goes down, but the insulation still depends on the season: in high summer, these tents need active ventilation to stay comfortable at night.

Inside, locally woven rugs, dimmed copper light fittings — designed not to spoil sky watching once night falls — and quality bedding. The private bathrooms have walk-in showers and argan oil-enriched toiletries.

The camp offers several formats: double dome for two, up to family tents able to sleep five people, each with its own terrace facing the dune horizon.

Meals under the caidal tent

The camp's chef prepares meals with produce bought that same morning at the Rissani souk. Nothing very unexpected on the menu, but the execution stays careful and consistent according to guest feedback.

At dinner: stuffed Madfouna, lamb tajine with prunes and almonds, coriander-scented harira, royal couscous on some evenings. Meals are taken under the large caidal tent or, when the weather allows, on the open-air terrace.

The morning breakfast stays hearty: fresh orange juice, msemmen, baghrir, local honey. Vegetarian or gluten-free diets are taken into account on prior request.

Sky watching, the signature activity

Beyond the night under the dome, the camp runs the area's other classic outings:

This is the camp's real selling point: the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye from inside the dome, without having to go out into the desert's night-time cold.

Families and extra services

Cots and high chairs are available on request, at no extra charge. The team speaks French, English, Spanish and Arabic, which makes things easier for international groups.

The minivan transfer from Merzouga is included, which saves you arranging the 4x4 access to the camp yourself. Wifi in the common areas, laundry on request, secure parking, and the possibility of arranging a private evening or a dedicated astronomy session.

What travellers report

Reviews come back to three recurring points: the feeling of sleeping under the stars from the bed, the cleanliness of the tents and the welcome from the nomad staff. With ⭐ 4.9/5 from 142 reviews, Milky Way Desert Camp is among the best-rated addresses in Erg Chebbi.

The address works just as well for a one-night stop as for a longer stay. Its proximity to the highest ridges in the area makes it a practical starting point for both sunrise and sunset.

GPS location & interactive Google Maps

To reach Milky Way Desert Camp easily, use the Google Maps below. The property's exact GPS coordinates are: Latitude 31.16, Longitude -3.97.