Merzouga Yawza Camp

The party atmosphere was fun, and the staff were nice at first, though some seemed grumpy the next morning. But the rest was a poor experience. The beds smelled bad, the bathrooms were dirty and stank, and breakfast was subpar. Dinner was okay, but didn’t make up for the problems. Be careful booking desert camps, since many agencies don’t own the places they advertise. Check the exact camp location, photos, and Google Maps reviews before booking. I wouldn’t recommend staying at Merzouga Yawza Camp.

The rooms were uncomfortable, and the toilet situation was disgusting. More seriously, girls who had stayed the night before told us the guides had been creepy and touchy with them. They also threatened our Moroccan guy friends for being around us. Being in the middle of the desert and afraid someone might assault you is awful. Don’t give these people your money.

We had no complaints about the toilets or showers. Having “European” facilities in the middle of the desert already felt incredible. The camp made an effort to help tourists feel at home, though you do have to step outside your comfort zone. We had a wonderful Christmas, with a warm welcome, delicious meals, and great conversations with other travelers. Those are memories we’ll carry with us for a long time.

The camp’s location was excellent, and two staff members named Brahim were especially friendly. They ultimately made our time in the desert worthwhile, despite the campsite itself. We stayed two nights and, on arrival, weren’t sure the sheets were clean. The next day we found out they hadn’t been changed between guests. The manager was extremely rude and unprofessional. Since the campsite is isolated and known for exorbitant prices, we ordered drinks through our personal guide. When he brought them, the owner took the drinks and said anything brought into the camp was under his authority. He refused to give them to us and said we’d have to buy from him instead. He offered them at double the price, then eventually sold them to a group of Asian tourists for four times as much.