June marks the beginning of summer in the Moroccan Sahara. While visiting the driest desert in the world during the hottest months of the year may sound daunting, it's not a bad time to visit if you plan your excursions wisely and stay out of the sun during the middle of the day. Find out more about what to expect with this monthly guide to the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Weather

Get ready for it: June is the start of summer in the Sahara, the driest desert in the world. Of course, weather varies across the region—the Sahara stretches across one-third of Africa—but here, in the desert's northwest, days are long and hot, with highs in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s. June is also the sunniest month in the Moroccan Sahara, so you'll probably want to stay out of the sun during the warmest part of the day. 

For more information, see our article on Morocco in June. 

Crowds & Costs

June is a peak travel time in Morocco: lots of international travelers book their trips around this time. So even though temperatures in the desert make summer a less appealing time to visit, you'll still have to compete with crowds of tourists who have stops in the Sahara built into their longer itineraries.

Expect an increase in hotel rates, too. Book your flights, tours, and accommodations well in advance, especially if you're intent on staying in a certain place. 

Plan your trip to Morocco
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Get Started

What To Do

The same activities you'd do any other time of year—camel riding and trekking in the dunes, visiting desert villages—are possible in June. The difference in summer is that you'll want to plan your time wisely to avoid the hottest part of the day. If you plan to visit the dunes of Erg Chebbi, stay overnight in Erfoud or Merzouga so you can get an early start on a morning tour. Same with the dunes of Erg Chigaga: stay in Zagora so you can be up before dawn and take advantage of the cooler weather early in the day.

What to do during hot afternoons? Relax by the hotel pool or stay in shaded places, like the covered portions of the Rissani market, where locals shop for fruits and spices. After nightfall, stargazing is a great option.

Visiting the Morrocan Sahara in June? Check out these itineraries.

Moroccan Highlights: Fes, the Sahara Desert, & Marrakech - 6 Days This whirlwind trip takes you to Morocco's top attractions, including Fes, the Sahara Desert, and Marrakech. 

Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert - 6 Days Explore the peaks of the High Atlas mountains and the vast sandy landscapes of the Sahara on this outdoorsy tour.  

Morocco's Imperial Cities & the Sahara Desert - 13 Days See Casablanca, Fes, Essaouira, the Erg Chebbi Dunes and more on this well-rounded trip plan.

More Helpful Information

Sahara Desert in April
Sahara Desert in July
How to Get to the Sahara Desert
4 Must-Visit Regions in Morocco's Desert
Getting Around Morocco