M'hamid El Ghizlane, often called the "Last Oasis," is a captivating desert town in Morocco that serves as the final stop before the vast, wild dunes of Erg Chigaga. While the Sahara's intense climate dictates the rhythm of travel, this ancient caravan hub offers unique and unforgettable experiences in every season. Choosing the right time to visit is key to unlocking your perfect desert adventure.

M'hamid is the gateway to Erg Chigaga, home to the largest and most remote dunes in Morocco. Getting to these camps requires a 4x4 vehicle and an approximately 1.5- to 2-hour off-road journey, which ensures a more tranquil and authentic experience away from mass tourism.

These camps offer spacious tents, quality bedding, private bathrooms (often with flush toilets and hot water), and sophisticated dining. They strike a balance between comfort and an authentic nomadic feel, usually featuring traditional canvas tents, cosy shared areas, and basic amenities.

Unlike the more accessible Erg Chebbi dunes (near Merzouga), the Erg Chigaga camps are highly valued for their isolation and tranquillity. They require more effort to reach, but this distance ensures a minimal number of visitors and maximum solitude beneath the incredible Saharan night sky.

Spring brings ideal climate and cultural heartbeat

Spring is widely regarded as one of the best times to visit M'hamid El Ghizlane, offering a perfect blend of comfortable temperatures and vibrant culture.

During spring the climate is pleasantly warm and sunny, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F). Nights are cool and manageable.

Various cultural activities are taking place in the town during the spring. There are various festivals; the famous festival during the spring is the international Nomads Festival, which is a major cultural event celebrating Saharan traditions, music, storytelling, and crafts.

During the spring you can benefit from camel trekking & 4x4 tours. The comfortable temperatures are ideal for multi-day treks deep into the dunes of Erg Chigaga and exploration of the Iriqui National Park.

During the spring you can also enjoy walks through the lush palm groves (palmeraie) of M'hamid, witnessing the traditional seguias (irrigation systems).

Summer is the season for the intrepid in M'hamid El Ghizlane

Summer is the least recommended time for general tourism due to the extreme desert heat, but it appeals to experienced adventurers seeking a challenging, solitary experience.

The weather is marked with scorching conditions, with daytime temperatures soaring up to 45∘C (113∘F) or higher. Nights are hot but offer the only relief. Sandstorms (known as chergui winds) are more common.

But during the summer you can benefit from the Sunrise and Sunset Excursions. All activities must be planned for the very early morning or late evening to avoid the peak heat.

You can also benefit from stargazing; the hot, dry, and often cloudless nights provide some of the most spectacular opportunities for stargazing and astrophotography in the world.

During this season you can get cultural immersion by taking time to observe the rhythm of life in the town, often slowing down dramatically during the day, focusing on shaded rest and communal living.

Autumn is the second peak season for adventure

Similar to spring, autumn provides optimal weather, making it the second high season for desert travel and a favourite for photographers.

During this season the weather is marked by the intense summer heat beginning to subside, offering pleasant daytime temperatures between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F). The light is particularly golden and beautiful.

The autumn is marked with the celebrations of the Taragalte Festival, which is a major festival, usually held in October, that celebrates nomadic culture and global desert music, drawing international artists.

The season is good for extended desert expeditions because of the perfect weather for multi-day camel treks, hiking, and sandboarding in the high dunes. During which you can get soft, extended "golden hour" light, which is ideal for capturing the stunning colours and textures of the Sahara.

Winter is marked with cool days and cold, starry nights

Winter offers a tranquil, crowd-free escape with excellent daytime trekking conditions, though visitors must be prepared for freezing nights.

The daytime temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F). However, nights are bitterly cold, often dropping to near or below 0°C (32°F).

Most of the activities during the winter are long-distance treks; The cool, sunny days are perfect for long walks or camel rides without the risk of overheating.

During the season you can benefit from cosy desert camping; while cold, a winter desert night is a magical experience, offering the clearest skies for viewing the Milky Way from the warmth of a fire or a well-equipped tent.

The tourist can enjoy during the winter the authentic local interaction. With fewer tourists, you can enjoy a more genuine and peaceful interaction with the local Berber and nomadic communities.