Draa Valley palm groves
One of the longest date-palm oases anywhere — the two-hour road south from Ouarzazate runs through hundreds of thousands of palms, kasbahs and gardens that have kept Berber and Arab communities alive here for centuries.
Agadir, Morocco · 300 days of sunshine· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Draa Valley · Southeast Morocco
Zagora, Morocco
The gateway to Erg Chigaga — a palm-shaded Draa Valley oasis on the threshold of the deep south's wildest dunes.
Best time
October–March (summer temperatures regularly exceed 42°C)
Recommended
1–2 nights (en route to Erg Chigaga)
Airport
Ouarzazate (OZZ) + 2h drive, or Marrakech (RAK) + 6h drive
Region
Draa Valley · Southeast Morocco
Why Zagora
Zagora is the main oasis town of the Draa Valley, the longest river valley in Morocco, which runs some 200 km south-east from Ouarzazate down a corridor of date-palm groves, mudbrick kasbahs and nomad camps before fading into the pre-Saharan hammada. It's best known for the wry road sign that reads 'Tombouctou 52 jours' — 52 days to Timbuktu by camel — a nod to its past as a halt on the trans-Saharan caravan route and a Saadian stronghold. These days it's the nearest town to Erg Chigaga, the most remote of Morocco's great dune fields, reached by 4x4 from M'Hamid, 98 km on. It lands on the southern desert loop our guests join from the Agadir side via Taroudant and the Anti-Atlas, or over the Atlas from Marrakech.
What to see
Highlights of Zagora.
Erg Chigaga expedition
Morocco's wildest dune field, 45 km south-west of M'Hamid by 4x4 track — a sea of sand rising to 100m, no asphalt and barely a handful of camps. The dunes we'd point you to once Erg Chebbi is behind you.
Jbel Zagora viewpoint
The flat-topped volcanic mesa above town, opening onto a panorama of the whole oasis corridor and the Anti-Atlas ridgeline — a steady 90-minute climb on a marked trail.
M'Hamid and the nomadic piste
The last town before the tarmac runs out, two hours south of Zagora — the jumping-off point for camel treks, overnight bivouacs and the piste running west to Foum Zguid.
Itineraries
1 tour that visit Zagora.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Zagora. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: 2h from Ouarzazate on the N9; 6h from Marrakech via the Tizi n'Tichka and Ouarzazate
- 4x4 required: The piste out to Erg Chigaga is unpaved and needs a high-clearance 4x4 — we sort the vehicle and an experienced driver
- Best combined with: Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou and the Dadès Gorge on a full southern loop
- Currency: Cash only out in M'Hamid; ATMs back in Zagora town centre
Concierge
Have your Zagora trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Zagora — common questions.
What is the difference between Zagora and Merzouga for a Sahara trip?+
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) is the easier reach and the more photographed — the 'classic' Moroccan dune shot. Zagora is the staging post for Erg Chigaga, which is bigger, wilder, far less visited and 4x4-only. If you've already done Merzouga, Chigaga is the step up.
How do you reach Zagora from the coast?+
From Agadir it sits on the southern desert loop — east via Taroudant and the Anti-Atlas, or over the Tizi n'Tichka from Marrakech (about 370 km, a 6-hour drive). We break the journey across two days, slotting in Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate along the way.
Is Zagora worth visiting beyond the dunes?+
Yes — the Draa Valley palm corridor is one of the great scenic drives in the country, the Jbel Zagora viewpoint sticks with you, and the kasbah villages strung along the valley are authentic and little-visited.
What is the best time of year to visit Zagora?+
October through March, when the days sit at a comfortable 18–28°C. July and August routinely top 42°C; many camps close and outdoor activity shrinks to the early morning.
Read more
From the journal
Stories and practical guides to plan your time in Zagora and the wider Draa Valley · Southeast Morocco.
Closest destinations
Pair Zagora with.
These destinations are closest to Zagora — easily combined on a private itinerary.
57 kmDraa Valley · Far south Morocco
M'Hamid el Ghizlane
The desert road's end, far east of Agadir — M'Hamid el Ghizlane, the last town before the Erg Chigaga sands.
Explore
107 kmPre-Sahara · Drâa-Tafilalet
Skoura
A palm-oasis town east of Ouarzazate, known for its earthen kasbahs — a scenic halt on the southern loop from the coast.
Explore
121 kmPre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The Hollywood of Africa — earthen kasbahs, sound stages and the desert's staging post, out on the southern road.
Explore