You've booked your flights to Morocco and you are looking to get an excursion to the desert booked. Super excited you jump on the Internet and find so many tour companies offering trips from the major cities: Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca and more. Many of these offerings seem so similar you may start thinking, "well if they are all the same - I might as well just choose the least expensive, right?" Well, you may want to take some time to consider that statement. While there is nothing wrong with looking for affordable options, it is important to know what you are buying and a lot of companies aren't forthcoming with the details that will (eventually) affect your experience. The most common options you are going to see are Shared or Private and Standard or Luxury (some companies even offer a "Normal" option - these accommodations are considered the absolute cheapest option with the least amount of amenities). Note: We go into depth on the differences in Shared vs Private in another guide that you can get here

In this guide we will go into depth on the difference between Standard versus Luxury Accommodations in the desert camps of Morocco. The desert camps in Morocco come in all shapes and sizes, and while we will do our best to address these differences it is important to understand that each destination will have different offerings. The camps are owned and operated by various local and international companies and, as such, their levels of decor, amenities and comfort can vary slightly.

First of all, both levels of accommodations have a few things in common. You can expect to have your own tent with a bed (or multiple beds depending on the occupancy size). There will be lights in your tent but they may vary between wired, battery or solar powered options. The camps will all have food provided for dinner and breakfast. If the tour operator you are researching tells you there is an extra fee for this, you may want to consider another company. Finally, there are people who work in the camp who are there 24/7 to assist you if needed. These people are generally very courteous and helpful and have the goal of making your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible.

The Standard desert camp option offers a more minimalistic experience with basic amenities.

You can expect them to provide a private tent with a bed (and possibly basic furniture), clean bedding, and limited electricity for lights. In the winter months, when it can get very cold in the desert at night, extra blankets are usually provided - but you should pack appropriately for the expected temperatures. An extra sweater and comfortable, warm pants are always a good bet. There are shared bathrooms provided outside of your tent in a dedicated facilities tent. These shared bathrooms are for all guests. The number of guests at a camp on any given night depends on the bookings for that night, but the number of tents can range anywhere from eight to more than twenty. In the evening, the staff will provide a meal for dinner in an indoor common area. Vegetarian options are available, but you should be sure to let your tour provider know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences so they can be communicated to the camp before your arrival. It is important to remember that you are in an off-grid, remote area and set your expectations for the meals accordingly. Most camps provide entertainment after dinner in the form of traditional Berber music performed on a variety of drums around a camp fire.

There are very few desert camps in all of Morocco that offer air conditioning and none of them are standard camps, so if you are traveling in the summer months this is very important to take into consideration. As previously mentioned, there are shared showers and toilets in the standard camps, so you won't have a private bathroom in your tent. Standard desert camps are decorated in a simple manner, so you will not see the same kind of decor that you would find in a Luxury desert camp. This isn't to say the standard desert camp doesn't provide you with everything you need, but if you've been swooning and obsessing over Instagram Reels of desert camps in Morocco with ornate furniture and lanterns, you may be disappointed not to find that level of decor in the Standard camp.

The Luxury desert camp option provides more amenities than its Standard counterpart.

With this level of accommodations you will have a private luxury tent with upgraded beds, bedding and furniture as well as ensuite bathrooms. Most Luxury desert camps also provide electrical outlets in your tent for charging devices. Each night a multi-course dinner is served in a separate, shared dining tent followed by traditional musical entertainment provided by the staff at the camp. Additionally, you can expect the decor at Luxury camps to be more ornate with hand-crafted furniture and atmospheric lighting.

While luxury tents are typically larger than standard tents and may have additional furniture, remember that you are in a remote location so they may not have all of the comforts you would expect in a traditional luxury hotel. You should also be aware that electricity and air conditioning (if available) will be powered by solar energy during the day and batteries after dark - so be mindful when using high wattage appliances or electronics. Finally, as these camps are in remote locations, the meals provided may not all meet international expectations for "luxury".

Most companies stop at Standard or Luxury levels of accommodations but, on certain private tours, Discover Sahara Tours offers an even more luxurious option for desert camps. These camp options vary greatly from location to location but can even include an entire private camp for your party.

Added amenities include things like free add-ons (like quad bike rides or private dining options in the dunes) and upgraded furnishings (think four posted beds, tables and chairs in your private tent, and hammocks in the camp).

Now that you know the differences between Standard and Luxury Accommodations in desert camps in Morocco, it's time to choose the right one for you. When selecting your accommodations, consider how many people will be on the excursion and what level of amenities are important to you. Do you want a basic experience with minimal decor or do you prefer something more ornate? Will air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms make or break your stay? Are upgraded meals important to you or can you do without if necessary? All these questions -and more- should be taken into consideration before booking.

The best way to ensure that your experience is memorable and enjoyable is by researching different tour companies so that you are getting the best value for your money. Read online reviews from other travelers and reach out directly with any questions that you may have about their services. Once you book, make sure to pack the appropriate clothing and toiletries for all weather conditions and ensure that everyone in your group is aware of the expectations regarding shared bathrooms. We would love to work with you to design an unforgettable excursion for you in Morocco here at Discover Sahara Tours! To get started you can contact us or take a look at our customizable multi-day excursions. 

Finally, enjoy your desert adventure! You are in for an unforgettable experience no matter which level of accommodations you choose.