What to Wear on a Camel Ride in Morocco’s Sahara Desert

Your Complete Clothing Guide for Desert Adventures

Essential Clothing for Your Camel Ride

Upper Body Essentials

The key to dressing for a camel ride in the Sahara is layering with breathable, protective fabrics. Start with a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt made from natural fibers like cotton or linen. Long sleeves are crucial for protecting your skin from the intense desert sun and the occasional brush against the camel or saddle. Choose light colors like white, beige, or tan, as they reflect sunlight and keep you cooler than dark colors.

Over your base layer, consider bringing a loose-fitting vest or light jacket. Desert temperatures can drop surprisingly quickly, especially during early morning rides or in the winter months. Many travelers on our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech find that a windbreaker is invaluable for the journey through the desert.

Lower Body Clothing

For bottoms, long, loose-fitting pants are your best choice. Avoid shorts at all costs, despite the heat. The repetitive motion of riding a camel can cause serious chafing on bare legs, and you’ll be exposed to sun, sand, and the rough texture of the camel’s fur and saddle. Lightweight cotton or linen trousers work beautifully, as do hiking pants with zip-off legs (though keep the legs on during the ride).

Avoid tight jeans or restrictive fabrics. The sitting position on a camel requires flexibility, and you’ll be much more comfortable in pants that allow freedom of movement. Some travelers prefer traditional Moroccan-style sirwal pants, which are both culturally appropriate and perfectly designed for desert conditions.

Protecting Your Head and Face

The Essential Head Covering

A proper head covering is non-negotiable when riding camels through the Sahara. The desert sun is relentless, and without protection, you risk serious sunburn and heat exhaustion. You have several excellent options including a wide-brimmed hat that provides shade for your face, neck, and ears, a traditional Tuareg-style turban or tagelmust (often provided by tour operators during Sahara tours), or a combination of a baseball cap with an attached neck flap.

Many experienced desert travelers wrap a light scarf or shemagh around their hat. This provides extra sun protection and can be pulled up over your nose and mouth when the wind picks up and sand starts flying. Learning to tie a traditional desert turban not only offers maximum protection but also makes for fantastic photos against the golden dunes.

Footwear for Camel Riding

Best Shoes for the Sahara

Choosing the right footwear for a camel ride requires balancing several factors including comfort during riding, protection from sand, and ease of removal. Closed-toe shoes are essential. The best options include comfortable sneakers or walking shoes with good ankle support, lightweight hiking boots (not heavy mountaineering boots), or breathable canvas shoes that can handle some sand.

Avoid sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes entirely. Sand will fill them immediately, and you’ll have no protection from the hot desert floor when you dismount. Your feet will also be more vulnerable to the camel’s movements and any accidental contact.

Consider bringing a pair of thick socks to prevent blisters and add comfort during the ride. Some travelers prefer wearing gaiters over their shoes to keep sand out, though this is optional for most camel rides.

Seasonal Considerations for Desert Clothing

Additional Protective Accessories

Eye Protection

Quality sunglasses are absolutely essential for desert camel riding. The combination of intense sun and highly reflective sand can be brutal on your eyes without proper protection. Choose sunglasses with full UV protection (UV400), wraparound styles that block light from the sides, and a secure strap to prevent them from falling off during the ride. Consider bringing a backup pair, as sand and sun can damage glasses quickly.

Hand and Skin Protection

While not always necessary, lightweight gloves can protect your hands from the sun and from rope burn if you’re holding reins. Fingerless cycling gloves work well. More importantly, apply and reapply high-SPF sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your hands, neck, ears, and face. The desert sun is unforgiving, and you’ll burn faster than you expect, even in winter.

What NOT to Wear on a Camel Ride

Learning from others’ mistakes can save you discomfort. Avoid these common clothing errors when planning your camel trek. Never wear shorts or skirts, as they offer no protection from chafing or sun exposure. Skip tight-fitting clothes that restrict movement and trap heat. Dark colors absorb heat and make you uncomfortably hot. Heavy fabrics like thick denim are too hot and restrictive. New shoes that haven’t been broken in can cause painful blisters. Expensive jewelry can get lost in the sand or damaged. And finally, leave white or light-colored pants at home unless you don’t mind permanent yellow-brown stains from the camel and saddle.

Special Considerations for Multi-Day Desert Treks

If you’re embarking on a longer journey like a multi-day expedition to Erg Chigaga, you’ll need to think beyond just riding clothes. Pack at least two complete sets of riding clothes so you can alternate and wash one set if needed. Bring comfortable camp clothing for evenings, including warmer layers since desert temperatures can drop dramatically after sunset. Include sleepwear appropriate for the season, keeping in mind that even summer nights can be cool. Don’t forget a change of socks and underwear for each day, plus an extra set.

For overnight desert camps, a lightweight down jacket or fleece is invaluable during winter months. Even in summer, having a light sweater for evening warmth is wise. Many of our luxury camp guests are surprised by how cool desert nights can be.

Packing Your Camel Riding Outfit

The Perfect Packing List

To help you prepare, here’s a complete checklist of clothing items for your Sahara camel ride adventure. For your upper body, pack two long-sleeved, lightweight shirts in light colors, one light jacket or fleece for layering, and a vest (optional but useful). For your lower body, bring two pairs of loose, lightweight long pants and comfortable underwear (cotton or moisture-wicking). For your head and face, include a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap, a large cotton scarf or shemagh, and high-quality sunglasses with a strap. For your feet, pack comfortable closed-toe shoes, thick hiking or sports socks, and gaiters if desired. Don’t forget accessories like lightweight gloves, high-SPF sunscreen, and lip balm with sun protection.

Clothing Provided by Tour Operators

Many reputable tour companies operating in Morocco’s desert regions provide certain traditional items as part of the experience. When you book with professional operators, you can typically expect to receive a traditional Tuareg turban or tagelmust for the full desert experience and photos. Some companies also provide blankets or shawls for evening warmth at desert camps. However, you should always bring your own basic clothing, footwear, personal sun protection, and any specialized items you prefer.

Before your trip, confirm with your tour operator exactly what’s provided and what you need to bring. This prevents overpacking while ensuring you have everything necessary for comfort and safety.

Final Tips for Dressing for Your Camel Adventure

As you prepare for your unforgettable journey through Morocco’s majestic sand dunes, remember these final pieces of advice. Break in your shoes before the trip to avoid painful blisters on your adventure. Test your outfit at home by sitting cross-legged for extended periods to ensure comfort. Choose fabrics that dry quickly in case they get wet or sweaty. Pack clothes in light colors that won’t show sand and dust as much. Keep a plastic bag for sandy clothes to separate them from clean items in your luggage. And remember that comfort and protection always trump fashion in the desert environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Camel Ride Clothing

Can I wear jeans on a camel ride?

While you can wear jeans, they’re not ideal for camel riding. Jeans are often too tight and restrictive for the sitting position on a camel, and denim can be uncomfortably hot in desert heat. Lightweight, loose-fitting pants are much better choices. If jeans are your only option, choose a loose-fitting pair and expect some discomfort during longer rides.

Do I need special desert clothing brands?

No, you don’t need expensive technical desert gear for most camel rides. Standard lightweight, breathable clothing in natural fibers works perfectly well. Focus on the principles of coverage, breathability, and sun protection rather than specific brands. That said, moisture-wicking hiking clothes can add comfort if you already own them.

What should I wear for a sunrise camel ride?

Sunrise rides can be surprisingly chilly, especially in winter months. Dress in layers with a warm jacket or fleece that you can remove as the sun rises and temperatures increase. Bring everything you’d wear for a daytime ride, just add an extra warm layer. The golden light at sunrise makes for spectacular photos, so you’ll be glad you braved the early morning cold.

How do I protect my camera gear from sand while wearing riding clothes?

Keep your camera in a sealed plastic bag or protective camera bag when not in use. Many travelers wear cargo pants with secure zippered pockets for small cameras or phones. A lightweight camera bag with a sand-proof cover is ideal. Consider bringing a simple lens cloth, as sand particles inevitably find their way onto lenses. Some photographers wear their camera on a secure strap under their outer layer for quick access and protection.

Embrace the Desert Experience

Dressing properly for your camel ride in Morocco’s Sahara Desert is about much more than just comfort. The right clothing protects you from the elements, respects local culture, and allows you to fully immerse yourself in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. When you’re not worried about sunburn, sand in your shoes, or chafing from the saddle, you can focus on what truly matters: the breathtaking beauty of endless golden dunes, the gentle sway of your camel’s gait, the profound silence of the desert, and the magical colors of Saharan sunrises and sunsets.

Whether you’re planning a quick sunset camel ride or a multi-day expedition deep into Erg Chigaga’s remote dunes, proper preparation ensures you’ll return with incredible memories and stunning photos rather than regrets about uncomfortable clothing choices. The Sahara Desert is one of the world’s most magnificent landscapes, and experiencing it from the back of a camel is an adventure you’ll treasure forever.

Pack smart, dress appropriately, and prepare to be amazed by the timeless beauty of Morocco’s desert wilderness. Your Sahara adventure awaits, and now you know exactly what to wear to make it extraordinary.