Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga
 

I had a great time at :palm:Kasbah Hotel Yasmina near Merzouga. The host, Youssef, gave me a wonderful welcome.
Safe parking with night watchman, right on the dunes so great place as a jumping off point for some sand riding.
Nice to find sparkling pool too:thumbup1:
camping in own tent or under Touareg tent or rooms.
Its off road on easy piste located at N31 12.807 W003 59.300

I think I am right in saying Yasmina was the first of the hotels located right on the edge of the dunes. Before then people stayed either in Erfoud or some at Desert Inn (Chez Michel) between Erfoud and the dunes. Yasmina chose a prime position for the hotel and when there has been sufficient rain, a lake forms next to the hotel.

Not far away are the ruins of Riad Maria. This was built by Italians in an area known as Foum el Hench (mouth of the snake). They were advised against the location as 'mouth' has the same connotation as in England with river estuary, but instead built a protective wall 1m high. After torrential rains in 2006 a wall of water 2m high came out of the dunes and trashed the hotel. Three hotel workers were killed.