Best Desert Destinations Worldwide 2026

Deserts are polarizing. Some people are put off by the idea of endless heat and emptiness. Others are drawn to exactly that. Anyone who has spent time in a real desert knows: there is no lonelier, quieter, and simultaneously more overwhelming landscape feeling on Earth. This guide covers the best desert destinations in the world, with everything you need to plan the trip.

Deserts are not all the same. The Sahara is orange-red sand, seemingly infinite, with Berber camps and camel caravans. Wadi Rum is a red rock landscape straight out of a science fiction film. The Atacama is the driest desert on Earth and yet full of color: geysers, salt lakes, flamingos. Each has its own personality.

Which Desert Is Right for You?

The answer depends on your priorities. Are you looking for stargazing, culture, adventure, or luxury?

Sahara, Morocco (Erg Chebbi / Merzouga): The classic. Orange sand dunes up to 150 meters high, camel treks, nights under an open sky. Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is the most well-known Sahara access point from Morocco. Guided day tours from around 40 euros, luxury camps from 150 euros per night. Pairing it with a Morocco cities trip makes perfect sense: Fès, Marrakech, then the desert. Travel season: October to April (summer is unbearably hot, 45-50 degrees).

Wadi Rum, Jordan: Red rock formations, deep silence, the feeling of being on Mars. Not coincidental: Wadi Rum is the filming location for several space movies (The Martian, Rogue One). Overnight in a Bedouin camp is a must. Prices: basic camps from around 50 euros, luxury bubble tents up to 400 euros per night. Combine with Petra (2 hours away) and the Dead Sea. Travel season: March to May and October to November.

The official Visit Jordan tourism website lists licensed desert camps and provides safety information for the region.

Atacama, Chile: The driest desert on Earth. Not what you might imagine: not a classic ocean of sand, but a high-altitude plateau desert at 2,400 meters above sea level. Salt lakes, flamingos, colorful rock formations, geysers (El Tatio at 4,300 meters). The ALMA Observatory, the world’s largest radio telescope, is located here. Nights with some of the darkest skies on the planet. Base: San Pedro de Atacama. Travel season: year-round possible, but the southern summer (December to February) can bring occasional rain in the highlands.

Namib, Namibia: The oldest desert on Earth (55-80 million years old). Sossusvlei with its red sand dunes (up to 300 meters, Dune 45 is the landmark) and the white Deadvlei clay pan with dead acacia trees is one of the most photographed natural images on the planet. Right next door: the Skeleton Coast (shipwrecks, seal colonies). Travel season: May to October (dry, cool). Summer temperatures reach 45 degrees. Combine with a safari in Etosha National Park.

White Sands, New Mexico, USA: Not Africa, not Asia. But unlike anything else: 710 square kilometers of pure white gypsum sand. The national park is open year-round, camping available. No climbing on the dunes between sunset and sunrise (military restricted zone). Travel season: April to October.

When Is the Best Time for a Desert Trip?

The golden rule: avoid high summer in the respective hemisphere. Specifically:

Sahara (North Africa): October to April. In July and August, 45-50 degree daytime temperatures are normal. December to February are the best months.
Wadi Rum: March to May and October to November. Up to 40 degrees in summer, below freezing at night in winter.
Atacama: Year-round, but January to March (rainy season in the highlands) means cloudy nights and wet geyser access roads.
Namib: May to October. The African winter is dry and pleasantly cool.
White Sands: April to October. New Mexico summers are hot but manageable (30-35 degrees).

In the Atacama, temperatures swing dramatically: 25 degrees during the day, below 5 degrees at night. Layering is essential.

How Do You Best Survive and Enjoy a Desert?

A few practical rules that make a real difference:

Water: Plan at least 3-4 liters per person per day. On multi-day treks (Sahara, Atacama) your guide handles water supplies. On day trips always bring more than you think you need.

Clothing: Light, loose, long-sleeved clothing protects better from the sun than a T-shirt. Hat and sunglasses are non-negotiable. At night: a fleece or down jacket, because temperatures drop sharply.

Guide or solo? In the Sahara (Morocco, Algeria) and Wadi Rum: local guides are strongly recommended, sometimes mandatory. In the Atacama and White Sands: well-marked trails, no guide needed for standard tours. In the Namib (Sossusvlei): self-drive with a 4WD is possible.

Travel insurance: Evacuation insurance is worth it in remote desert regions. Some camps also offer GPS tracking devices.

For multi-landscape trips combining desert with coast and jungle, check our Vietnam 2-week route as inspiration, or the Morocco, Jordan, and Chile options covered above.

Save the shortlist in your Zercy Logbook so you have all options handy when booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which desert is easiest to visit?

The Sahara in Morocco (Erg Chebbi, Merzouga) is the most accessible desert entry point in the world. Good infrastructure, many guided tours, affordable starting prices from around 40 euros for day trips. No visa needed for EU citizens, direct flights from Europe to Marrakech or Casablanca, then a 9-10 hour drive or overnight bus.

When should you visit Wadi Rum?

The best time is March to May and October to November. Temperatures are pleasant (20-30 degrees during the day, 10-15 at night). The Jordanian summer (June to August) reaches up to 40 degrees. In winter (December to February) the days are perfect but nights are cold (below 5 degrees, sometimes frost).

How much does a night in the desert cost?

This varies considerably. Basic Bedouin camps in Morocco or Jordan cost 40-80 euros per person including dinner and breakfast. Mid-range camps with luxury tents run 120-200 euros. Premium bubble tents or glass-ceiling tents in Wadi Rum: 250-400 euros per night. In the Atacama (Chile) the general price level is higher: 100-200 euros for good accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama.

Why is the Atacama the driest desert on Earth?

The Atacama sits between two mountain ranges (the Andes and the Coastal Cordillera) that block rainfall, and a cold ocean current (the Humboldt Current) that prevents evaporation. Some weather stations in the core area have recorded zero precipitation over 400 years. The high altitude (2,400 to 5,000 meters) creates extreme conditions: warm during the day, below freezing at night.

Best Desert Destinations in the World: Sahara, Wadi Rum, Atacama