Merzouga is located 715 km (443 miles) from Marrakech, 440 km (273 miles) from Ouarzazate and 569 km (353 miles) from Fès. The nearest airport is located in ErRachidia 130 km (80 miles) away. Royal Air Maroc offers flights to/from Casablanca and ErRachidia twice weekly. There are two roads to Merzouga, one via Rissani and the other via Erfoud. Both are roughly a 45-minute drive. And while a 4x4 vehicle is not required, the road is bumpy and the risk of getting stuck in the sand is not small. Bus service from Rissani and Erfoud.

The best time to visit Merzouga or embark on a desert adventure is in April, May and October. In summer, the daytime high can exceed 40°C (105°F) and, in winter, the nighttime low can fall below 0°C (32°F).

Traveler's diarrhea is the most common aliment afflicting tourists in Morocco. Avoiding tap water is the cornerstones to prevention. Drink bottled water and eat cooked or peeled fruit and vegetables only. Heat exhaustion, dehydration and sunburn are risks in all desert environments. Apply high factor sunscreen to all exposed areas, including your child's nose, ears, and toes, before you set out and repeat applications throughout the day. Encourage the children to drink regularly.