Merzouga · Erg Chebbi · Sahara

Ksar
Bicha

Ksar Bicha, a characterful hotel at the foot of the Merzouga dunes, on the edge of Erg Chebbi.

31.107066° N 4.010017° W Erg Chebbi
Ksar Bicha à Merzouga
SAHARA · MERZOUGA · MAROC
Dunes d'Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi
Stay at the gateway to the Sahara

At the gateway to the Sahara

Ksar Bicha
Ksar Bicha · Erg Chebbi

At the gateway to the Sahara, beside the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, Ksar Bicha is a peaceful base from which to discover the desert. Run by the Oubassidi family, whose roots are nomadic, the Ksar continues the tradition of earthen architecture in a simple, warm atmosphere.

We also organise desert experiences with or without camels: short outings, overnight bivouacs and multi-day itineraries. Each programme can be adapted to your interests and the length of your stay.

Swimming pool Restaurant Merzouga bivouac Merzouga excursions
Piscine de Ksar Bicha
Architecture en pisé de Ksar Bicha

At the gateway to the Sahara, beside the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, Ksar Bicha is a peaceful base from which to discover the desert. Run by the Oubassidi family, who…

Accommodation

The calm of earthen walls, essential comfort.

Ksar Bicha offers double, triple and quadruple rooms, with double or twin beds depending on the room. All are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom with hot water. Berber-inspired interiors are arranged around two planted courtyards.

Double room
Rooms for 1 to 5 guests · Air conditioning · Private bathroom with hot water · Breakfast included
Room type

Double room

80 per room · half board
Capacity2 guests
DetailsAir conditioning · private bathroom with hot water · Berber-inspired decoration

Ksar Bicha offers double, triple and quadruple rooms, with double or twin beds depending on the room. All are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom with hot water. Berber-inspired interiors are arranged around two planted courtyards.

Request availability
Rates & conditions

Before you book

Booking

A deposit is required for every booking.

Cash, bank transfer or credit card. Breakfast is included in the rate.

Details

Children under 4: free

Additional guest: €20 / room

Cancellation policy

30 to 15 days: 20% fee

14 to 8 days: 30% fee

7 to 0 days: 50% fee

Restaurant & extras
Restaurant & extras

At the Ksar table.

Breakfast is included with the rooms. We also offer the following à la carte services.

Full menu €10
Breakfast €5
Drink €1
MechouiPrice depends on the number of guests On request
Dunes du Sahara
Desert & bivouac

Where the Ksar gives way to infinity.

Three options are available for an overnight stay in the dunes: classic, superior and wild.

Classic bivouac

Classic bivouac

€60per person · half board

A camel crossing through the dunes to a private camp set in a quiet area away from the busiest spots.

About two hours by camel each way. Dinner and overnight in a tent, sunrise and breakfast at camp before the return.

Included
  • Guide for the route
  • Half-board bivouac night
  • One camel per person
  • Camel handler

Return by 4×4 is possible for an additional €60 per vehicle.

Ask us ↗
Wild bivouac

Wild bivouac

€80per person · half board

A more adventurous option, by camel or 4×4, setting up camp deep in the desert.

Departure in the early afternoon depending on the temperature. Camp is set before sunset; dinner and tea are prepared with the camel handlers around the fire. Return after sunrise and breakfast.

Included
  • Guide for the route
  • Half-board bivouac night
  • One camel per person
  • Camel handler

The experience can be extended with a second night.

Ask us ↗
Superior bivouac

Superior bivouac

€120per person · half board

A more comfortable camp in a quiet area on the eastern side of Erg Chebbi, reached by 4×4.

Departure around 4 pm by 4×4. Tents have toilets, showers and king-size or twin beds. Return after sunrise and breakfast.

Included
  • 4×4 transfer with driver-guide
  • Half-board superior bivouac night
  • Camel per person for sunrise
  • Camel handler

A short camel ride can be arranged to watch the sunrise.

Ask us ↗
Experiences

Explore Erg Chebbi differently.

Different programmes can be arranged according to the season, the time available and the pace you prefer.

Camel rides
Erg Chebbi

Camel rides

From short sunrise and sunset rides to multi-day treks between dunes, oases and nomad camps.

Programmes & rates+
Short excursions

Sunrise

Camel ride into the dunes to watch the sunrise.

€15per person

Sunset

Camel ride into Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset.

€15per person

Full day in the dunes

A full day travelling through the dunes by camel.

€35per person
Multi-day camel treks
Dunes & oases — 3 days €150 +

Included : 2 bivouac nights with camel, full board · picnic lunches · camel handler

  1. Day 1

    Merzouga → Bouyerd: afternoon departure across the dunes, sunset, dinner and overnight in a private Berber tent.

  2. Day 2

    Bouyerd → Kem Kem → Bouyerd: meet nomad families in the Kem Kem hamada, lunch, then return to camp.

  3. Day 3

    Bouyerd → Merzouga: return across Erg Chebbi with a stop at the Merzouga oasis and its irrigation system.

Ask us
Dunes & oases — 4 days €250 +

Included : 3 bivouac nights with camel, full board · picnic lunches · 1 night at Ksar Bicha, half board

  1. Day 1

    Merzouga → Bouyerd: cross the dunes, sunset, dinner and overnight in a Berber tent.

  2. Day 2

    Bouyerd → Kem Kem → Bouyerd: a day meeting nomad families before returning to camp.

  3. Day 3

    Bouyerd → Mirdani → Erg Znigui: pass the ruined village of Mirdani and M’Fis, a former mining area, then bivouac.

  4. Day 4

    Erg Znigui → Merzouga: return through the dunes and Merzouga oasis, followed by a night at Ksar Bicha.

Ask us
Desert & oases — 5 days €300 +

Included : 4 bivouac nights with camel, full board · picnic lunches · 1 night at Ksar Bicha, half board

  1. Day 1

    Merzouga → Erg Znigui: cross the desert plateau and Khamlia, lunch with a family, overnight near Znigui.

  2. Day 2

    Erg Znigui → Jbel Begaa: cross the Znigui dunes and flat desert to Begaa oasis.

  3. Day 3

    Begaa → Mirdani: via M’Fis and the former mining areas, bivouac overnight.

  4. Day 4

    Mirdani → Kem Kem plateau: lunch at Ikniwn oasis then meet nomad families in the hamada.

  5. Day 5

    Kem Kem → Merzouga oasis: final crossing of Erg Chebbi, oasis stop and night at Ksar Bicha.

Ask us
Dunes & oases — 6 days €350 +

Included : 5 bivouac nights with camel, full board · picnic lunches · 1 night at Ksar Bicha, half board

  1. Day 1

    Merzouga → Atrous: after breakfast cross the desert plateau towards the former mining area of Atrous.

  2. Day 2

    Atrous → Erg Znigui: via Khamlia, lunch with a family and overnight near Znigui.

  3. Day 3

    Erg Znigui → Jbel Begaa: cross the Znigui dunes and flat desert to Begaa oasis.

  4. Day 4

    Begaa → Mirdani: via M’Fis and the old mining sites, overnight bivouac.

  5. Day 5

    Mirdani → Kem Kem plateau: lunch at Ikniwn oasis then meet nomad families.

  6. Day 6

    Kem Kem → Merzouga oasis: final crossing of Erg Chebbi, oasis stop and night at Ksar Bicha.

Ask us
4×4 excursions
Erg Chebbi

4×4 excursions

Six driver-guided excursions are available, from sunrise trips to full-day routes around Erg Chebbi.

Programmes & rates+
Sunrise01

Sunrise

€80

Leave about 30 minutes before sunrise and drive to the foot of a high dune, then return after sunrise.

per 4×4
Sunset02

Sunset

€80

Leave about 30 minutes before sunset to reach a viewpoint at the foot of the great dunes.

per 4×4
Tour around the dunes03

Tour around the dunes

€80

Merzouga, oasis, Lake Sirji, Mirdani, M’Fis and a visit with nomad families in the Kem Kem hamada before returning to the Ksar.

per 4×4
Crossing the dunes04

Crossing the dunes

€200

Drive inside Erg Chebbi dune by dune with panoramic stops. Listed rate is for a 4-seat 4×4.

per 4×4
Full day — South Erg Chebbi05

Full day — South Erg Chebbi

€150

Around 9 am departure: Merzouga lake, Omlhadj, the Ziz wadi, Tizi n’Rssass, desert picnic, Jdaid and the Taouz rock engravings.

per 4×4
Full day — North Erg Chebbi06

Full day — North Erg Chebbi

€150

Safsaf oasis, Kem Kem plateau, Tissardmine and Azerkam oases, nomad-style cooking, then return through the Talghmt wadi with chances to meet nomad families.

per 4×4
Ask us
Sand baths
Merzouga

Sand baths

Sand bathing is a traditional Berber practice using the natural heat of the sand, historically associated with relaxation and relief of some muscular or joint discomfort.

This practice carries risks from heat and dehydration. Prior medical advice is essential, especially for anyone with heart, blood-pressure or chronic health conditions.
View details+
Sand baths

A traditional practice in Merzouga.

Sand bathing is a traditional Berber practice using the natural heat of the sand, historically associated with relaxation and relief of some muscular or joint discomfort.

It should be prepared and supervised by an experienced person. The sand is naturally heated by the sun and exposure must be adapted to each individual.

This practice carries risks from heat and dehydration. Prior medical advice is essential, especially for anyone with heart, blood-pressure or chronic health conditions.

Merzouga

At the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Ksar Bicha is located in Merzouga, at the gateway to the Sahara and beside the great dunes of Erg Chebbi.

31.107066, -4.010017
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Contact & booking

Plan your stay.

Send us your dates and request. Every booking must be reconfirmed by Ksar Bicha.