The question we get before every camp night is the same: what do we actually need to bring? The desert looks like a place of extremes, and it is, but the answer is smaller and simpler than most people expect. You need layers, not luggage. This is the list we give our own guests, and the reasoning behind it.
The one rule: layers, not bulk
Erg Chegaga sits at around 700 m, and the daily temperature swing is the thing to design for. In winter, days hold between 18 and 24 °C while the night drops to 5-10 °C; from November to February camp nights can fall to 3-8 °C. Even in spring and autumn, nights sit between 10 and 16 °C. You will wear two entirely different outfits in one day, and neither needs to be heavy.
The trick is to build outward: a base layer, a warm middle, a windproof shell. Each piece earns its place because you peel it off and put it back on as the sun moves.
What to wear by day
- Two or three lightweight long-sleeved shirts. Long sleeves keep you cooler in direct sun than bare arms, not warmer.
- One or two pairs of loose cotton or linen trousers. Skip tight jeans; they trap heat and are miserable to walk in on sand.
- A full-brim sun hat. A cap leaves your neck and ears exposed, which is where you burn first.
Shorts are best left at home, uncomfortable in the sun, and covered legs are what the villages around the Drâa prefer anyway.
What to wear at night
- A mid-weight fleece or merino sweater as your middle layer.
- A windproof jacket or thin down jacket. In winter, a proper down jacket earns its weight.
- One pair of warmer trousers than your daytime pair.
- Warm socks. Feet lose heat faster than the rest of the body once the sand turns cold.
The gap between noon and midnight out here is enormous. The dunes cool faster than the town, so pack the night warmer than you think you need.
Footwear
This is where the biggest packing mistake happens. A closed-toe sandal or a trail runner is the best all-round choice: sand gets into everything, and a closed toe protects your feet while you cross the dunes. Light hiking boots work for anyone who wants ankle support on long walks. What to avoid: flip-flops, which fill with sand and slip on the steep faces; dressy shoes, which the sand ruins in minutes; and heavy mountain boots, which are needlessly hot here.
The small things people forget
- Sun protection you will actually use. Sunscreen of SPF 50 or more, sunglasses rated UV400, and lip balm with SPF. The reflected light off pale sand raises exposure even in winter.
- A head torch. Even a lit camp has dark paths between the tents, and a red-light setting keeps your night vision intact for stargazing.
- A power bank of at least 10,000 mAh. Power at camp is a shared, solar-fed resource; think of it like charging on a long flight.
- A reusable water bottle of 1.5 litres or more. We refill it from filtered camp water, so you do not need to carry a whole supply.
- A desert scarf, or chèche. It shields your face from sun and wind and doubles as warmth after dark. You can buy one in M'Hamid for around €5-10.
What to leave behind
- Hard suitcases. The last stretch to Erg Chegaga is a long piste, and a soft bag straps down and packs far more easily.
- Heavy denim, anything white, and delicate fabrics, a single dune walk finishes them off.
- A drone, unless you have arranged the authorisation Morocco requires.
One reassurance: at our camps you do not need a sleeping bag, camping gear, towels or food. Bedding, water and all meals are provided. You are packing for the ride and the evening, not for the expedition. If you are still choosing your dates, our guide to the best time to visit explains how the packing list shifts by season, and our two-day bivouac at Erg Chegaga puts the list to use straight away.
Sources
- Layering, footwear, sun protection, power and what camps provide, Umnya Desert Camp, What to pack for the Sahara
- Winter camp night temperatures and what to bring, Sahara Desert Adventures, Staying in a desert camp
- Warm layers and head torch for camp nights, Serenity Morocco Tours, Camel trekking
