What to pack for kids for a night in a Sahara camp comes down to one small bag and two temperatures. The day can be warm and the night can be cold, even in spring and autumn. Pack warm layers, warm sleepwear, socks, a headlamp, water, wipes, any medicine and a change of clothes. Then confirm what the camp provides for bedding, towels, heating and the bathroom.
Karim isn’t a parent. This guide combines his knowledge of Morocco with camp packing lists, family trip reports and weather data checked in October 2026. It’s part of our desert with kids coverage. Read more about Karim.
What the camp provides, and what you bring
Camps vary, and you’ll want to ask what yours provides. The Erg Chigaga packing list says a warm jacket is needed because “it can be cool at night, and sometimes cold in December and January”. Bring the small items that make the night easier either way.
| Item | Ask the camp | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Bedding | Is bedding included, and how warm is it? | Warm sleepwear and socks |
| Towels | Are towels provided? | A small towel if you are unsure |
| Heating | Is there heating in the tent? | A warm layer for bedtime |
| Electricity | Is there a socket, and when does it work? | A power bank and spare batteries |
| Water | Is drinking water included? | A refillable bottle for each child |
| Bathroom | Is it inside the tent or in a separate block? | A headlamp, wipes and a small towel |
The camp may also provide dinner, breakfast and a campfire. Ask about the dinner time. A late dinner is hard for a young child, so pack a snack.
The one bag rule
The main luggage stays in the vehicle. A small soft bag goes to the camp. The 3 day Merzouga tour we checked asks you to “bring a small overnight bag for the desert” and says the main luggage stays in the vehicle. That’s the rule to follow even if your camp doesn’t say it.
A soft bag is easier in a 4x4, on a camel and in a narrow tent. You won’t need a hard suitcase. Pack one bag for the child and one shared bag. Keep the day bag in the vehicle.
The final transfer can be a 4x4 or a camel. The Merzouga camps guide covers the camp checks. The desert tour car seat guide covers the seat question.
Day bag versus camp bag
Keep the day bag in the vehicle for the drive and the camp entrance. The camp bag holds what you need for the night.
| Day bag | Camp bag |
|---|---|
| Water, snacks and wipes | Sleepwear, socks and a warm layer |
| Any medicine and a small first aid kit | A headlamp and spare batteries |
| Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm | Toothbrush, a small towel and a change of clothes |
| A warm layer for the evening | Nappies, pull ups and a changing mat if needed |
| Motion sickness tablets if the drive is long | A comfort item for bedtime |
Clothing for the day, the night and the morning
The desert can be warm at lunch and cold by dinner. You’ll want to pack for both.
| Time | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Day | Light long sleeves, trousers, a wide hat, sunglasses and closed shoes |
| Night | A base layer, a fleece or light jacket, warm socks, a hat and a scarf |
| Morning | The same warm layer, clean socks and closed shoes |
TraveLynn Family says “Layers are key” and recommends warm jackets, a hat or headscarf and a head torch. A child who’s warm at lunch can be cold by dinner.
Sleep kit
You’ll want the blanket, pillow or soft toy your child uses at home if it fits. The camp may provide bedding, but it’s the familiar item that helps a child settle in a tent.
Pack warm sleepwear and socks even in summer. A headlamp is better than a phone torch because it leaves the hands free and doesn’t wake the tent. Keep spare batteries.
The core bag
Food, water and snacks
You’ll want water for the drive and the first hours at camp. Don’t assume the camp provides drinking water. A refillable bottle is easier than small bottles.
You’ll want snacks that survive heat and do not need a fridge. Cereal bars, crackers, dried fruit and a favourite biscuit are enough. TraveLynn Family says “Pack snacks for the kids if they are unable to wait until an 8pm dinner”.
If your child needs formula, bring what you need for the night and the morning. Don’t assume the camp sells it. The same applies to a special cup or food.
Hygiene and nappies
You’ll want more wipes than you think you need. Sand gets into everything. A small bag for used wipes and nappies keeps the tent clean.
You’ll need nappies or pull ups for the night and morning, plus a changing mat. A headlamp helps for a night change. A small towel and a bag for wet clothes are useful if the bathroom is separate.
Medicine and health basics
Bring your child’s medicine in the original packaging, with enough for the trip. Add plasters, a thermometer, rehydration powder and lip balm. For a long or windy drive, ask your doctor about motion sickness.
A desert camp can be far from medical help. Pack a small first aid kit in the day bag. Don’t give a child a new medicine without advice.
Entertainment and downtime
The camp may have no signal or television. You’ll want a small book, cards or a favourite toy. A headlamp and a star guide can turn the night into the activity. A power bank keeps a phone ready for sunrise.
Keep the entertainment small. A tablet can be useful on the drive, but it isn’t a camp activity. Download what you need before Marrakech.
What not to bring
You won’t need the hard suitcase, the heavy toys or the valuables. A soft bag is easier in a 4x4 and on a camel.
| Leave at home | Why |
|---|---|
| Hard suitcase | Awkward in a 4x4 and on sand |
| Extra clothes | One change is enough for one night |
| Valuables | The camp is remote and shared |
| Food that needs a fridge | There is no fridge in the tent |
Pack by age
| Age | Add to the bag |
|---|---|
| Baby | Nappies, wipes, formula, bottles, a warm sleep sack, a changing mat and medicine |
| Toddler | Pull ups, wipes, warm sleepwear, a comfort item, snacks and a headlamp |
| School age | A headlamp, a warm layer, socks, a book or cards and a water bottle |
| Teen | A power bank, headphones, a warm layer and their own small bag |
A baby needs more space than a school age child. A teenager can carry their own bag.
What to ask the camp before you pack
- Is bedding included, and how warm is it?
- Is there heating in the tent?
- Are towels provided?
- Is the bathroom inside the tent or in a separate block?
- Is drinking water included, and is there a socket for charging?
- How do we reach the camp, by 4x4 or camel, and how much luggage can we bring?
The Merzouga camp checks cover the details. The one night or two guide covers the length of stay. The camel age guide covers the ride rules.
Seasonal notes
December catches families out, and you’ll feel it at night. Merzouga averages about 20 C by day and 7 C at night in December, and winter nights can fall to 2 to 6 C. The December guide covers the regional temperatures.
Spring and autumn are easier, but it’s still cooler at night. Summer days are hot. Pack for the night first.
FAQ
What should we pack for a Sahara camp with kids?
Pack one soft overnight bag with warm layers, warm sleepwear, socks, a headlamp, water, snacks, wipes, nappies if needed, any medicine and a change of clothes. Ask the camp about bedding, towels, heating, electricity and the bathroom.
Does the camp provide blankets and towels?
Camps vary. Ask before you pack. If the answer is unclear, bring a warm sleep layer and a small towel. The camp may also provide dinner, breakfast and drinking water, but confirm each item.
What should children wear at night in the desert?
Warm sleepwear, socks and a warm layer. A hat and a scarf help if the tent is cold. The temperature can drop quickly after sunset, even after a warm day.
Is one small bag enough for the camp?
Yes. The main luggage stays in the vehicle. A small soft bag is easier in a 4x4, on a camel and in the tent. Keep the day bag with water, snacks and medicine in the vehicle.
The short version
You’ll want one soft bag for the camp and the day bag in the vehicle. Put warm layers, sleepwear, socks, a headlamp, water, snacks, wipes and medicine in the bag. Confirm bedding, towels, heating, electricity and the bathroom.
The one night or two guide covers how long to stay. The Morocco in December guide covers the winter weather. The Agafay vs Sahara guide helps you choose the desert.
Sources and further reading
- TraveLynn Family: Visiting the Sahara with kids
- Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp: Packing list
- My Travelling Circus: Camping in the Sahara with kids
- Desert Luxury Camp: Sahara travel checklist
- GetYourGuide: From Marrakech 3 day Merzouga Desert Tour
- Weather and Climate: Merzouga in December
- MerzougaWay: Merzouga weather and best time to visit