Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga
What can be more romantic than riding a Camel into the desert sunset. Yet just how do you choose whether to adventure at Chebbi or Chigaga? One is more popular and has higher dunes, whilst the other is harder to reach but equally fabulous.
Well, never fear. we are here to help. Although we do have a clear favourite, it really does depend on your own personal criteria for what a successful desert adventure would involve for you.
Erg Chebbi
The better known of the two dune areas is Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga. Around 8 hour drive from Fes in the north, and also from Marrakech in the west. The bivouac scene is better established and sees more visitors than Erg Chigaga, mainly due to the easier access and superior dune size.
Erg Chigaga
Erg Chigaga is a much more recent tourist destination, and as such has only been admitting visitors since the 1990s. It lays south of M’Hamid, about a 9 hour drive from Marrakech. It’s a good idea to break the journey half way around Ait benhaddou, The last leg of the journey south of Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley is indeed a destination in itself.
So the former is famous for it’s high dunes, some of which can reach 160m, thus affording spectacular views across this breakaway piece of Sahara. the latter on the other hand has fairly low dunes in comparison, only reaching around 120m, but must take the lead for vastness as it appears to go on forever, giving a real sense of being out in the wilderness. To just reach the dunes here involves around a 60km off road journey from M’Hamid,The off road route follows the Algerian border, passing the vast dried up Lake Iriki (where there used to be crocodiles and Ostriches!) before rejoining the sealed road a few hours on at Foum Zguid. This route is part of the original Paris – Dakar rally route, and experiences some incredible rocky desert scenery.
Come and explore with us a lot of facts about these two magnificent places.