Les Pyramides Merzouga Camp

With the ever-shifting sand dunes of Erg Chebbi (10 minutes’ drive) so close, the first temptation is to get out and explore the northern reaches of the Sahara Desert. It’s how you do it that’s the question – by quad bike, on foot or on a sunset camel safari? All can be arranged at the campsite, as well as desert barbecues in traditional Berber style, sand bathing (an ancient Berber wellness therapy) and adrenaline-inducing dune-bashing in four wheel drives. In fact, four wheel drives are such a popular method of transport around Merzouga that they have their own museum – the Morocco National 4x4 Auto Museum (10 minutes) features vintage jeeps, ex-military vehicles and futuristic land cruisers. Surrounded by looming sand dunes, Lake Dayet Srij (10 minutes) can dry up in summer, but if you’re travelling between November and May, keen birders and walkers may see flocks of pink flamingos as well as warblers, hoopoes and birds of prey around the lake.