Merzouga is a small village about 50 kilometres south of Erfoud and is close to the ERG CHEBBI, the famous sand dune area.  In fact this is the only genuine Saharan erg – the name given to the mighty drifting dunes of sand that characterise the desert. This is truly an enchanted area, with colours changing during the day from gold to red, amber and pink under a pristine blue sky.  It is also a prime spot to glimpse a wide range of desert birds from desert warbler and sparrow to the Egyptian nightjar and others.  Occasionally in Spring a shallow lake appears drawing flocks of birds including pink flamingo.  The drive from Erfoud takes about one hour, direction made easy by a convenient line of telegraph poles.