Taking children to the Sahara can be one of the most memorable trips your family ever makes. The dunes, the stars, mint tea by the fire and a short camel ride tend to stick with them for years. At the same time, it is not a theme park, the desert is hot, the temperature swings fast, and the distances are long. We have welcomed many families on short trips from Zagora over the years, and the key is to work with the desert, not against it.
Is it suitable for your children?
In our experience, children from around five upwards tend to enjoy the Sahara most. They are old enough to walk on the dunes, take in the stargazing and remember it afterwards. Younger children can absolutely come, but they need more breaks, shorter camel legs and a comfortable camp. Teenagers often love it, especially sandboarding on smaller dunes and staying up to watch the Milky Way.
The most important thing is heat tolerance, not age alone. If your child struggles in high summer temperatures at home, summer in the desert will be hard going. For very young children or babies, we usually recommend the shoulder season (October-April) and a very short trip. Or sometimes waiting until they are a little older.
Heat management is everything
In Zagora and at Erg Chegaga, the difference between morning, afternoon and evening is stark. Midday can be hot, especially from late May through September. Our approach with families is simple: shift activity to dawn and dusk, and keep the middle of the day shaded and calm.
- Go early or late. Dune walks and camel rides are best at sunrise or late afternoon. Avoid long walks between noon and 3pm in summer.
- Hydration. The air is very dry. Children need to sip water regularly, not just when thirsty. We always have extra water in the vehicle.
- Layers. Even on a warm day, the temperature can drop 15-20 °C after sunset and before dawn. Bring warm socks, a jumper and a light windproof layer. Many families under-pack for the night.
- Sun protection. High-factor sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and loose, long-sleeved cotton layers work well.
Camel rides, sand and safety
A camel ride is almost always the highlight. For children, less is more. We prefer a short ride (20-40 minutes) at sunset or sunrise rather than a multi-hour trek. If they love it, we can extend gently; if they are nervous, we can walk alongside.
A few practical points that make a big difference:
- Clothing. Long trousers (not shorts) help avoid chafing on camel saddles. Closed shoes are easiest for walking on firmer sand and hamada.
- Feet in the sand. Dunes are fun to run on, but midday sand can burn bare feet in summer. Keep shoes on in the heat of the day and save barefoot time for cooler hours.
- Simple precautions. Check shoes before putting them on (scorpions are rare, but it is a sensible habit). Keep a torch for night-time trips to the toilet, and stay with the group.
- No pressure. Not every child wants to ride. Walking next to the camels is perfectly fine and often just as memorable.
Food, sleep and pace
Desert camps are simple but comfortable. At family-friendly camps, tents have real beds with blankets, and we can request plain meals for picky eaters. Moroccan hospitality is very family-oriented, children are genuinely welcomed everywhere we stop. Mint tea is usually a hit, and simple tagines, couscous or pasta are easy options.
Pace is critical. Long drives can be tiring for children. That is why we favour short trips from Zagora rather than packing too much into one go. For families, our one-night bivouac at Erg Chegaga is often ideal: you leave Zagora in the afternoon, reach camp at a relaxed pace, enjoy sunset and stars, and head back the next morning. If you want a little more without overdoing it, our bivouac night at Erg Chegaga (two-day) also works well for many families.
Which of our trips fit best?
- One night, all the highlights (Tour P), shortest, easiest rhythm. Great first desert experience.
- Bivouac night at Erg Chegaga (Tour N), very family-friendly, with time for dunes at the right hours.
- Anti-Atlas descent to Erg Chegaga (Tour M), a little more varied scenery; better for slightly older children who enjoy a bit of variety without a very long trek.
We avoid pushing midday activities in summer and we keep camel legs short by default for families. If your children are heat-sensitive, we strongly recommend October through April. If you are travelling in peak summer (June-August), we will restructure the day to dawn/dusk and be honest about midday heat.
Our honest advice
Bring layers, bring water bottles (refillable), bring patience and do not over-schedule. Skip the idea of a full midday dune marathon. Enjoy the small things: chasing tiny beetle trails, rolling down a small dune, counting stars, sharing tea. Those are usually the bits children talk about most on the drive home.
The Sahara with kids does not need to be stripped of adventure, it just needs to be paced right. Done that way, it is one of those rare trips that genuinely delights both adults and children.
