Merzouga (Morocco) and Sossusvlei (Namibia) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Merzouga | Sossusvlei | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Morocco | Namibia |
| Type | Desert | Desert |
| Best time | January to March | January to March |
| Suggested stay | 1–2 days | 2–3 days |
| Main gateway airport | Moulay Ali Cherif Airport (Errachidia) (ERH) | Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) |
| Big Five | Not all five | Not all five |
| Malaria | None | None |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Merzouga | Sossusvlei |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| February | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| March | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| April | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| May | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| November | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| December | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
How to choose
Choose Merzouga if
- you want camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking, dune bashing and cultural visits
- you hope to see camels
Choose Sossusvlei if
- you are travelling in all year
- you want hiking, hot-air balloon flights and scenic flights
- you hope to see oryx and ostriches
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Merzouga or Sossusvlei?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Sossusvlei is stronger in all year.
When is the best time for each?
Merzouga: January to March. Sossusvlei: January to March.
Sources: Visit Morocco - Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga · BestDateWeather - Merzouga (ERA5 2016-2025) · Weather and Climate - Merzouga · Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Sossusvlei · Namibia Tourism Board - Namib-Naukluft Park · Weather and Climate - Sesriem · Weather2Travel - Sossusvlei climate
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.