eSIM for Merzouga

Merzouga: what to know before you go

Erg Chebbi

The dunes are about 28 km long from north to south and 5 to 7 km wide, rising to about 150 metres in places. Merzouga sits on the western side, with Hassilabied, Khamlia and the camps along the edge.

Signal place by place

Merzouga and Hassilabied have 4G and Khamlia has 3G. Camps on the western edge of the dunes are within reach of that coverage, a few kilometres away, and for camps deep in Erg Chebbi there are no measurements.

Camel treks and camps

Treks go out to camps on the outer edges of the erg for an overnight stay. Upload photos and call home in Merzouga before the ride, charge everything before you leave the village, and ask whether your camp has Wi-Fi, since standard camps often have none and charging may be shared.

A full day on the road

Merzouga is about 560 km and nine hours without stops from Marrakech, and a full day from Fes through Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz Valley. Signal drops in several Atlas pass sections, so download offline maps before you leave.

The gorges on the way

In the Todra gorge there is 4G up to the narrows and none beyond, and in the upper Dades gorge we found no measurements on the network our plan uses. Tizi n'Tichka, the pass between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, is about 2,260 metres.

How much data you need

A two-night tour takes about 1 to 2 GB. You use data in Merzouga and the cities, and you are offline in the dunes.

Written 24 October 2026. Opening rules, fees, prices at attractions and event dates change, so check the official site before you rely on them.

Merzouga: when people go

November 2026 to April 2027: the cooler months

Most guides point to October through April, and winter nights can fall close to freezing in December and January. Pack warm layers and keep the phone close to you overnight.

June to August 2027: extreme heat

Daytime temperatures of 45 degrees or more are reported, and one source says many desert camps close in July and August. Check what is open before you plan.

October 2027: Erfoud date festival, expected

A harvest celebration in Erfoud, about 60 km north of Merzouga, held in October after the date harvest, usually for three days, with dates that depend on the harvest. The 2026 edition was planned for 23 to 25 October, so check availability if you pass through.

Morocco eSIM 2026: prices, network and coverage

10 plans, from $2.49 (1 GB, 7 days) to $43.99 (50 GB, 30 days). Network: Orange Morocco 5G.

Network

Orange Morocco 5G

Top-up

Yes, from the app, on the same eSIM

Validity starts

At the first connection at your destination

Install by

Shown on your order. An eSIM that is never installed expires

Your number

Stays active, plans are data only

Hotspot

Uses the same plan data, no separate charge

After the daily allowance

Day passes slow down to 500 Kbps

Updated November 12, 2026

Questions about Merzouga

Can I stay reachable overnight in the desert?

In camps on the western edge of the dunes you may reach coverage a few kilometres away. For camps deep in the dunes there are no measurements, so ask your camp which phone network works there and whether it has Wi-Fi.

Can I do Marrakech to Merzouga in two days?

Two-day tours exist, but the drive is about nine hours without stops, so operators advise at least two nights. Download offline maps for the Atlas roads before you leave.

How much does an eSIM for Merzouga cost?

Merzouga uses the Morocco plans, because an eSIM belongs to a country and not to a city. Plans start at $2.49 for 1 GB, valid for 7 days. There are 10 plans, from 1 GB to 50 GB, plus unlimited day passes.

Do I need a local SIM card in Merzouga?

No. The eSIM is a SIM card in digital form: you install it from a QR code before you leave, and there is nothing to buy at the airport or swap in your phone.

How is it different from roaming in Merzouga?

With roaming, your own carrier bills the data you use abroad, usually by the day or by the megabyte, at the prices of your plan. The eSIM is prepaid: you know the cost before you leave and nothing is added later. Keep data roaming off on your usual line, so it cannot charge you.

Which networks does the Merzouga eSIM use?

Wigoo connects to Orange Morocco, with 5G where it is available. Each plan lists the operators it uses.

Can I add more data?

Yes. You top up the same eSIM from the app, without installing a new one.

Do I keep my phone number?

Yes. Plans are data only, so your usual line stays active for calls and texts, and WhatsApp keeps working as always.

When do the validity days start?

Not when you buy and not when you install: the days start counting when the eSIM connects to a network at your destination for the first time. A 30 day plan gives you 30 days from that first connection.

How long do I have to install the eSIM?

An eSIM that is never installed expires. The "Install by" date is shown on your order, on the site and in the app, so you can buy ahead of your trip. Install it before that date, on Wi-Fi.

Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?

Data used through a personal hotspot comes out of the same plan, and Wigoo does not charge it separately. A laptop uses far more data than a phone, so for work a day pass or a bigger plan is safer.

What happens when the data runs out?

Plans are prepaid, so there are no extra charges: when the data is used up, the connection stops until you add more from the app. Day passes give a daily allowance at full speed, then continue at reduced speed (500 Kbps) until the next day.

When should I install the eSIM?

Before you leave, on Wi-Fi. When you land, set the Wigoo line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.