Bortle Class 1 · Erg Chegaga · Morocco
Stargazing in
the Sahara
One of the darkest skies in Africa. The Milky Way overhead. Shooting stars every minute. And the name Umnya means "make a wish."
Book a Stargazing StayThe Dark Sky
Bortle Class 1-2: What That Means
The Bortle scale measures light pollution from 1 (absolute darkness, no artificial light) to 9 (inner-city sky). Erg Chegaga registers as Bortle Class 1-2, the same designation as the world's premier observatories, and one of the darkest sites in North Africa.
In practical terms: the zodiacal light is visible, the Milky Way casts shadows on the sand, M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy) is visible to the naked eye, and the airglow of the upper atmosphere is perceptible. You will see things here that simply cannot be seen from a city, or even a village.
Erg Chegaga has no settlements within 50 km in any direction. The nearest town is M'Hamid, population 2,000, which contributes negligible light pollution. The result is sky access that most people on Earth will never experience.
1–2
Bortle Class
One of darkest in Africa
300+
Clear nights/year
Dry desert climate
~0
Light pollution
No settlement within 50 km
Naked eye
Milky Way
Fully visible on clear nights
What You Will See
A clear night in Erg Chegaga, month by month
Milky Way Core
The dense band of our galaxy, visible at full resolution. Arches overhead from horizon to horizon on cloudless nights.
Saturn's Rings
Through our telescopes, the rings of Saturn are clearly visible, often the single most breathtaking sight for first-time observers.
Jupiter's Moons
Up to four of Jupiter's Galilean moons visible through a small telescope, the same view that changed human understanding of the solar system.
Shooting Stars
Multiple shooting stars per minute on clear nights. The Perseid and Geminid meteor showers (August and December) produce dozens per hour.
Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light-years away, is visible to the naked eye on dark nights, appearing as a smudge of light.
Star Clusters & Nebulae
The Pleiades, Beehive Cluster, Orion Nebula and dozens of other deep-sky objects visible with the naked eye or through our telescopes.
The Name
Umnya, أُمنية
Umnya is an Arabic and Berber word meaning "wish", a deep desire, a hope, an intention offered to the night sky. In Erg Chegaga, shooting stars cross the horizon every minute on clear nights. We chose the name deliberately.
Umnya. Make a wish.
At Camp
Guided Stargazing Sessions
Each evening after dinner, telescopes are set up in the open desert away from camp. A team member who has spent years under these skies guides guests through what they are seeing, mythology, science, navigation, the Berber names for stars that have no equivalent in European catalogues.
Sessions run for 60–90 minutes and are included in every stay. Private or extended sessions for astrophotographers, astronomy enthusiasts or groups can be arranged on request.
- Telescopes provided, no equipment needed
- Guided session every clear night after dinner
- 60–90 minutes, open-air in the dunes
- Naked-eye tour + deep-sky telescope views
- Extended astrophotography sessions on request
- Star maps and constellation cards provided
For Photographers
Astrophotography in Erg Chegaga
The combination of dark sky, dry air, minimal wind in the early hours and the dramatic silhouette of 300-metre dunes makes Erg Chegaga one of the best astrophotography locations in the world.
The new moon period offers the deepest sky for Milky Way photography. We can advise on lunar calendars, optimal shooting positions and settings for the conditions on any given night.
Dedicated astrophotography retreats, 3 or 5 nights scheduled around new moon, with expert-guided shooting sessions, are available on request.
Best Times for Stargazing
Excellent
Clear, dry skies. Cool nights ideal for long exposures.
Exceptional
Winter transparency. Orion, Taurus, Pleiades at their best.
Peak meteor shower
Perseid shower, up to 60+ meteors per hour.
Best meteor shower
Geminids, the most prolific annual shower, 120+ per hour.
Darkest sky
Best for Milky Way photography. We can check lunar calendar for your dates.
Make your wish
Book a Stargazing Stay in the Sahara
Tell us your dates and whether you're interested in astrophotography. We'll advise on the best lunar conditions and craft your proposal.
FAQ, Stargazing Morocco
Is Morocco good for stargazing?
Where is the best place to stargaze in Morocco?
What is Bortle Class and what class is Erg Chegaga?
Can I photograph the Milky Way in Morocco?
Does Umnya Desert Camp have telescopes?
When is the best time to stargaze in the Moroccan Sahara?
