shoonye

We are planning a 2 week trip to Morocco last week of May and first week of June. I've read the weather can be variable at this time, it will be warm but can also get extremely hot.

We are traveling with our 5 year old daughter. My particular concern is the desert. We definitely want to spend one night out from Merzouga. Would this be just the wrong time to do this? If the desert safari is not practical for this time of the year we will have to plan Morocco for another time.

elaineontheroad

Hi -- I think you will be fine. I did two trips to Morocco last spring and early summer, both times going into the desert. I was first in the desert (Erg Chebbi; out of Merzouga) in mid-April, and for me as a Canadian (meaning from a cooler climate), the day temperatures in the low 30's (Celsius) and night temperatures in the high teens (Celsius), it was perfect. (If you're operating in Fahrenheit, think high 80's to 90's in the day, and low 70's at night.) On my second trip (I LOVED it so much over there, I had to go back...) I was in the desert around the last week of June. It was too hot for me. By that time, the temperatures just at the hotel on the edge of the desert were in the low 40's! Even sitting outside around the pool was just TOO hot! I didn't even stay in the nomad camp on this second trip. I opted instead to do a 4X4 day trip driving into the desert. ...Yes, it was air-conditioned!

Short answer: you should be fine. Your daughter should also be fine. Another way to plan this would be to do the desert tour first, when it's likely to be a bit cooler, and then do the rest of your trip afterwards. HAVE FUN!!

shoonye

Thanks Elaine. That is very helpful and we are confirming our trip for that time. I'll be posting my detailed itinerary shortly so hopefully I can get recommendations on that from you and others on this forum.