Adventure
Camel Ride in Morocco: Where to Go, How Long and What to Expect
Where to take a camel ride in Morocco, from 1-hour rides near Marrakech to overnight treks in the Erg Chebbi dunes, plus tips on comfort, clothing and animal welfare.
Just 45 minutes from Marrakech: a sunset camel ride across the stony Agafay desert with Atlas views, followed by mint tea and a tagine dinner at a desert camp.
The Agafay is a rocky desert plateau about 40 km south-west of Marrakech, roughly a 45-minute drive from the city. It is not a sand sea like the Sahara: think bare, rolling hills of ochre earth and stone, with the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas on the horizon and the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir in the distance. That makes it the easiest way to get a desert atmosphere without leaving Marrakech for the night.
We collect you from your hotel or riad in the afternoon (the exact time follows the sunset, so it is earlier in winter and later in summer). At the camp you meet your camel handler and ride for about an hour across the hills as the light turns gold, pausing for photos at a viewpoint. Back at camp, mint tea is served before a Moroccan dinner, typically salads, a tagine and seasonal fruit, eaten at the camp's dining tent or outdoors when the weather allows. Many camps light a fire and play traditional music after dinner. The return transfer brings you back to Marrakech in the late evening.
This is a relaxed outing suitable for most ages and a good choice on your first or last evening in Marrakech. If you are looking for tall sand dunes and a night under the stars, the real Sahara is several hours further away: see our 2-day Zagora desert trip for the shortest option. For more ideas around the city, browse our Marrakech travel guide.
Pickup from your hotel or riad (time adjusted to the season's sunset). Drive south-west out of the city across the Haouz plain towards the Agafay plateau.
Welcome at the camp and meet your camel handler. Short briefing on how to mount and ride safely.
Ride for about an hour across the stony hills with views of the High Atlas. Stop at a viewpoint for photos as the sun goes down.
Relax at camp with mint tea while the sky darkens. Time to take photos or simply enjoy the silence of the plateau.
Dinner of Moroccan salads, a tagine and fruit or pastries. On many evenings the camp lights a fire and plays traditional music.
Transfer back to your accommodation, arriving around 20:45.
Pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. For medina riads without car access, we meet you at the nearest square or gate and confirm the details by WhatsApp.
No reviews yet — travelled with us? Be the first to share your experience.
Where to take a camel ride in Morocco, from 1-hour rides near Marrakech to overnight treks in the Erg Chebbi dunes, plus tips on comfort, clothing and animal welfare.
The Agafay desert is 40 minutes from Marrakech and looks nothing like Merzouga. Here is what it is, what you can do there and how to make the most of a sunset visit.
