Stargazing in the Sahara: When and Where to See the Milky Way in Morocco
The Moroccan Sahara is one of the best places in North Africa for stargazing thanks to dry air and almost no light pollution. For the Milky Way, choose a night close to the new moon, ideally between spring and early autumn when its bright core is visible, and stay in a desert camp at Merzouga, Erg Chigaga or Zagora. Agafay, near Marrakech, offers good skies too, though the city's glow is visible on the horizon.
When to go stargazing
Choose the right moon phase
The moon is the biggest factor. Around the full moon, the desert is bright enough to walk without a torch, but most stars disappear. Plan your night in the dunes within about five days of the new moon, or on nights when the moon rises late.
Choose the right season
The galactic core of the Milky Way, its brightest part, is visible from Morocco roughly from March to October, best in the summer months. In winter the sky is still full of stars and constellations such as Orion, and the air is crisp, but nights are cold.
Where to see the best stars
- Merzouga (Erg Chebbi): walk a few minutes away from the camp lights and lie on a dune. Our 3-day Sahara tour includes a night in a camp.
- Erg Chigaga: even darker thanks to its remoteness; see our Erg Chigaga guide.
- Zagora: a good option on a 2-day desert trip.
- Agafay: good for bright stars and planets after an Agafay sunset dinner, 45 minutes from Marrakech.
- The High Atlas: mountain villages above 1,500 m offer clear, dark skies too.
Tips for a great night under the stars
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark and avoid looking at your phone screen.
- Use a red light or dim torch.
- Bring warm layers: desert nights can be cold even after hot days.
- Download a star-map app before you leave signal behind.
- Ask the camp team: many Saharan guides know the stars by their Amazigh and Arabic names.
Photographing the Milky Way
- Use a tripod, a wide-angle lens and manual focus set to infinity.
- Start with an aperture around f/2.8, ISO 1600–3200 and exposures of about 15–20 seconds.
- Include a dune or a tent in the foreground for scale.
- Protect your camera from sand when changing lenses.
Plan your dates with the best time to visit the Sahara and check moon phases on a reliable calendar such as timeanddate.com moon phases.
Book it with a local operator
- From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Merzouga with Camel Trek — from €145 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: 2-Day Zagora Desert Trip with Camel Ride & Camp — from €79 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride, Dinner & Show at Camp — from €25 per person, pay on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Milky Way in the Sahara?
Yes. On moonless nights from a desert camp, the Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye, especially from spring to early autumn.
What is the best place in Morocco for stargazing?
Remote desert areas such as Erg Chigaga and Merzouga, followed by Zagora and high villages in the Atlas Mountains.
Does the full moon affect stargazing?
Yes. A full moon washes out most stars. Plan your desert night close to the new moon for the best sky.
Can you see stars in Agafay?
Yes, many bright stars and planets are visible, though the glow of Marrakech limits faint objects near the horizon.
Main photo: NASA, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
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