The one bag rule
The first decision shapes everything else: take only a small soft overnight bag to the desert and leave your main suitcase at your Marrakech hotel, which almost all of them store for free. A soft bag is easier to load into the vehicle and onto the camel than a hard case, and you genuinely need very little for one or two nights. Pack light and you will thank yourself on the camel ride.
Clothes checklist
The desert swings from hot days to cold nights, so layers are the whole game.
- Warm layers for the night: a fleece or jumper plus a light jacket, essential year round
- Long trousers, comfortable for the long drive and the camel saddle
- Closed shoes or trainers that keep sand out, not sandals
- A long sleeved top and a t shirt or two for the hot daytime
- A scarf or shemagh for sun, wind and blowing sand
- A hat and sunglasses
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, out of respect for local custom
- Sleepwear warm enough for a cold tent
The camp bag and gadgets
- A power bank, since charging is limited or absent at camp
- A headtorch or small flashlight for moving between tents at night
- Your phone with offline maps and music downloaded in advance
- A camera, and a dust proof pouch for it
- A reusable water bottle
Toiletries and health
- High factor sunscreen and lip balm
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser, useful where washing facilities are basic
- Tissues and any personal toiletries
- Basic medication for headaches and stomach upsets
- Any prescription medicines, in your hand bag not the suitcase
The things people forget
Two items catch people out. The first is small cash in dirhams for tips, lunches and roadside toilets, since cards are useless in the desert. The second is warm clothing, because first timers underestimate how cold a desert night gets even after a scorching day. Sort both before you leave Marrakech. For the reasoning behind every choice, see our full what to pack guide and the companion what to wear article. Then book the trip this list is built for.
Packed and ready?
Book the classic Merzouga tour, the dunes trip this checklist is made for.
Frequently asked questions
Pack warm layers for the cold night, long trousers and closed shoes, a scarf for sand and sun, sunscreen, a power bank, a headtorch, toiletries with wet wipes, and small cash in dirhams. Take only a small overnight bag to the camp.
No. Camps provide blankets and bedding, with real beds at luxury camps. You just need warm clothes to sleep in, since desert nights are cold even in summer.
Yes. Almost all hotels and riads store luggage, so leave your large case in Marrakech and take only a small soft overnight bag to the camp. It is easier on the camel and in the vehicle.
