The Open Doors Of Africa.

From Marrakesh to the Sahara: Chasing Sunsets, Sand, and Silence

In this blog, you’ll follow our unforgettable adventure from the vibrant city of Marrakesh to the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert - a trip filled with laughter, sand, starlight, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget your phone even exists.

So, my friends and I - being the adventurous types - decided to road-trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert, because… why not? We jumped into our trusty 4x4 and hit the road for what turned out to be a 600-kilometer cross-country marathon. Honestly, in Morocco, it felt like we drove across the entire continent.

After hours of winding roads and changing landscapes, we finally reached a small, cozy riad, our overnight stop before entering the desert. It was charming, warm, and definitely fancier than we were expecting - but after a full day of driving, it felt like pure luxury.

Into the Desert We Go

The next morning, we met our local guide and began our off-road adventure. The path through Merzouga’s sandy trails was long and dusty, yet breathtaking. After hours of bumping along desert roads, we stopped to restock on water and food, because survival out there depends on hydration and a good sense of humor. and pretending you’re a camel. 🐫

We then made our way to Iriqui, a dry salt lake where we stumbled upon fossils, stone carvings, and ancient inscriptions—traces of civilizations that once thrived here. It was like a desert scavenger hunt meets Indiana Jones, except our “treasure” was geological history. No gold or jewels, but hey, we found rocks that were millions of years old. Still a win in my book! 🏺

The Sahara’s Silent Beauty

Venturing deeper into the Sahara felt like stepping into another dimension - one with no Wi-Fi, no noise, and no rush. The desert stretched endlessly around us, painted in shades of gold and orange. Every dune was sculpted by wind and time, creating curves so perfect they looked designed by nature’s own architect.

Small Acacia trees and palm clusters dotted the landscape, defying the harshness of the environment. The contrast between life and emptiness was stunning. A reminder of how resilient nature can be. In oder words, you leave behind the chaos of city life and step into a world of silence and sand.  It’s like Mother Nature flexing her creative muscles just to remind us who’s boss. The Sahara is full of contradictions - harsh yet peaceful, empty yet alive.

The Magic of Erg Chigaga

By late afternoon, we reached the Erg Chigaga dunes, Morocco’s largest “sand sea.” There, our Berber desert camp awaited us, surrounded by towering dunes glowing in the soft light of sunset.

As night fell, the sky came alive with millions of stars, so clear and bright it felt like you could touch them. Around the campfire, Tuareg musicians played traditional drums and sang under the starlit sky. The rhythm, the firelight, and the desert air created a moment of pure magic. ✨

Dinner was a delicious Moroccan tajine, followed by mint tea and laughter. We slept in traditional Berber tents, wrapped in blankets as the desert night cooled around us. Before sleeping, we danced by the fire our way of keeping warm and celebrating a day well lived.

A Moment of Stillness

At sunrise, the desert transformed again. The dunes glowed in shades of amber and rose as the first rays hit the sand. I climbed one of the nearby ridges just to watch...the silence was so deep it almost hummed.

There’s something profoundly humbling about standing there, surrounded by nothing but sand and sky. It strips life back to the essentials: breath, warmth, stillness, and gratitude.

I felt a sense of calm I can’t quite describe - like time had paused just for that moment.

The Sahara teaches you to slow down, breathe, and simply be. It’s not just a destination, it’s an experience that stays with you long after the journey ends.

Yoga in the Desert

And for those seeking serenity beyond adventure, yoga retreats are now being held deep in the Sahara. Imagine meditating at sunrise or practicing yoga under a sky full of stars. It’s a soul-nourishing experience that blends the stillness of the desert with the rhythm of your own breath. 🧘‍♀️

For more details, check out the Yoga Retreat section in the menu.