Berber musician drumming beside the camp fire

New Year’s Eve in the Merzouga desert

See out the year among the dunes, with a special dinner and a party by the fire, and see in the next one watching the sun rise from a dune. In a camp of ten tents, not with sixty strangers around you.

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What 31 December is like in the desert

You arrive in the afternoon. At the end of December the sun sets at around a quarter past six, so the camel ride leaves earlier, to watch the light go from the top of a dune. Then the special New Year’s Eve dinner and the party by the fire, with Berber music.

Midnight comes with the clearest skies of the year: in winter the air is dry and, with no lights anywhere around, you see far more stars than in any city.

On 1 January the sun rises at around eight. It is worth climbing a dune: it is the first sunrise of the year, over the sand, with nothing in front of you.

Berber musicians playing the drums by the fire, after dinner

The cold: what hardly anyone tells you

In December the days are pleasant, around 19 °C. At night the temperature drops to about 4 °C and can get close to freezing. Anyone who comes expecting the Sahara of the films has a hard time at dinner outdoors.

That is why our tents have heating from 8 pm to 8 am, as well as a private bathroom with a hot shower. You sleep well inside; what you need to plan is your clothing for being outside.

Bring a winter coat, a hat and some wool for the fire and for sunrise. The full list is in what to pack for the desert.

Inside a tent, with the air conditioning and heating unit above the bed

What a night at Tassili includes

This is included every night of the year, 31 December too:

Private tentWith its own bathroom, a hot shower and heating from 8 pm to 8 am.
Dinner and breakfastDinner at the camp and breakfast the next morning.
Sunset camel rideTo the top of a dune, to see off the last sun of the year.
Berber music by the firePlayed by the camp team.
SandboardingFor anyone who wants to slide down a dune before the light goes.
4x4 transferFrom our car park to the tents and back.

Dinner and the party on the 31st

On the night of the 31st we prepare something special: a New Year’s Eve dinner and a party by the fire, with Berber music, to see in the year among the dunes.

If you would also like something of your own, we can set up a private dinner on the sand, decorate your tent or have a cake ready, given enough notice. For a group of family or friends you can book the whole camp: it is ten tents. More ideas in celebrations in the desert.

Ask us for the price of that night, with no obligation.

Moroccan lantern lit, marking the path between the tents at the camp

Book early and arrive with time to spare

With ten tents, places for the night of the 31st are few. If your dates are settled, write to us as soon as you can.

In winter it can snow on the Atlas passes. If you are driving, check the forecast before you set off and do not leave your arrival to the last minute. If you are flying, the nearest airport is Errachidia. Every route is in getting here.

There is no minimum stay: you can come for the night of the 31st only. If you can, two nights (the 30th and 31st, or the 31st and 1st) save you hitting the road on New Year’s Day after a long night.

Questions about New Year’s Eve in the desert

Do you do anything special on New Year’s Eve?

Yes. We prepare a special New Year’s Eve dinner and a party by the fire, with Berber music.

Is there a minimum stay?

No. You can come for the night of the 31st only.

What time is midnight in Merzouga compared with home?

In winter Morocco is on the same time as France, Spain, Italy and Germany, so midnight is the same. In the UK and Ireland it is still 11 pm.

How cold is it at night?

Around 4 °C, and some nights close to freezing. The tents have heating from 8 pm to 8 am; for dinner and the fire, bring a winter coat.

Can we book the whole camp for New Year’s Eve?

Yes, it is ten tents. For a group of family or friends it is the way to have it to yourselves. Send us your dates and the number of people.

Can we come with children?

Yes. There is a family tent for five and children’s menus. With little ones, warm clothing is what matters most: the night is cold.

How much does the night of the 31st cost?

Ask us with no obligation: send us your dates and how many you are, and we will give you a fixed price for that night.

Tent lit at night seen from outside, with the armchair on the terrace

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Ask about the night of the 31st

Tell us how many you are and which nights you want. We will reply with availability and price.