The Moroccan dune field near Merzouga famous for tall orange sand dunes is Erg Chebbi.
Erg Chebbi is a large sea of wind-blown sand on Morocco’s southeastern edge of the Sahara Desert. The dunes stretch along the Algerian border, with the village of Merzouga serving as the main gateway for visitors. Some dunes rise about 150 metres above the surrounding rocky hamada.
The name erg refers to a desert region dominated by sand dunes, rather than a desert as large as the Sahara itself. Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s best-known ergs; the other major Moroccan dune field often mentioned alongside it is Erg Chigaga, near M’Hamid.
Merzouga’s location made Erg Chebbi a popular destination for camel excursions, overnight desert camps, and sunrise or sunset views. It is also linked to the historic caravan region around Rissani and the former trading centre of Sijilmassa, which flourished from roughly the eighth to fourteenth centuries.