5 Days Sahara Wildlife Tour & Desert Safari Itinerary

Your desert adventure begins with a full-day 4x4 birdwatching safari. The Merzouga region is one of Morocco’s richest birding habitats, where desert lakes, rocky outcrops, and acacia plains provide shelter to a remarkable variety of species. Spend the day searching for the three sandgrouse species: crowned, spotted, and pin-tailed. The desert also reveals the African desert warbler, greater hoopoe lark, desert lark, bar-tailed lark, and wheatears in their contrasting plumage.

With patience, you may spot the African houbara bustard striding across the plains or the cream-colored courser blending into sandy terrain. Raptors such as the great grey shrike and the majestic pharaoh eagle owl add drama to the day, while occasional desert lakes may even attract flamingos during migration.

As the sun begins to set, switch to quad bikes and ride across the golden dunes for a two-hour excursion in search of the elusive Fennec fox, the Sahara’s most charming predator, active during twilight

Rise early for a sunrise quad ride, the best time to track the Fennec fox as it leaves its burrow to hunt. The stillness of dawn and the shifting colors of the dunes create a perfect setting for photography and observation. 

Return to the hotel for breakfast before setting out again by 4x4 to continue birdwatching, focusing on species missed on the first day. This second outing increases your chances of spotting secretive desert specialists such as the streaked scrub warbler, fulvous chatterer, and Egyptian nightjar hiding in stony valleys.

After dinner, prepare for an unforgettable nocturnal wildlife safari by 4x4. For 3–4 hours, the desert reveals its hidden inhabitants under the stars. With spotlights, search for Egyptian jerboas springing across the sand, gerbils scurrying between shrubs, and the fat-tailed gerbil, unique to this habitat. Northern elegant geckos, with their striking markings, emerge on rocky slopes, and with patience and luck, the legendary sand cat (Felis margarita) may appear, a highlight for any wildlife enthusiast.

The desert is not only home to birds and mammals but also an extraordinary diversity of reptiles. After breakfast, embark on a 4x4 herpetological expedition, guided by experts who know where to find these elusive creatures. Search for the desert monitor lizard basking on rocky flats, horned vipers (Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipera) camouflaged in the sand, and the sandfish skink, famous for “swimming” beneath the dunes. Uromastyx lizards, agamas, and a variety of scorpions offer an unforgettable glimpse into the desert’s reptilian world.

In the late afternoon, mount quad bikes again for another golden-hour Fennec fox excursion, tracking their trails across the dunes as the sun melts into the horizon.

Continue your herpetological exploration by 4x4, delving deeper into remote habitats where reptiles thrive. Discover more desert lizards, scorpions, and unique ecological behaviors that allow these creatures to survive in one of Earth’s harshest landscapes. The desert’s silence and vastness make this a fascinating day for those interested in adaptation and survival.

Before sunset, return to quad bikes for a thrilling ride over the dunes and another chance to observe Fennec foxes in their natural twilight environment. Every outing provides a fresh opportunity, as fox activity shifts daily.

On your final morning, experience the magic of the Sahara on a camel caravan at sunrise. The slow pace of the camels and the rising light across the Erg Chebbi dunes create an atmosphere that feels timeless. 

After breakfast, set out in a 4x4 to explore desert oases scattered across the valley. Visit nomadic families who continue to live traditionally, gaining insight into their resilience and culture amidst the desert.  As evening approaches, conclude your journey with one last quad excursion in search of the Fennec fox, a fitting farewell to your multi-day wildlife adventure in the Moroccan Sahara.