You can ride a camel in two places around Marrakech: the Palm Grove (Palmeraie) on the edge of the city, or the Agafay desert further out, a stony landscape with views towards the Atlas Mountains. Both give you about an hour on a camel with a local guide, a mint tea afterwards and pickup from your hotel or riad. Rides are booked for a minimum of 2 people: from 250 MAD per person in the Palm Grove, from 350 MAD for 2 people in Agafay.
In Morocco the animal you ride is a dromedary, the one-humped camel, so "camel ride" and "dromedary ride" mean the same thing here. Below: the two places compared, how a ride goes, who it suits, what to wear, when to go and how to book.
Palm Grove or Agafay: which camel ride should you choose?
Both rides are gentle and need no experience. What changes is the setting and how much of your day you give it.
- Setting: the Palm Grove is palm trees, earth tracks and open land on the edge of the city. Agafay is a bare, stony desert of rocky ground and low hills, with wide views.
- Distance: the Palm Grove is about 15 to 20 minutes from the city centre, so the outing is shorter. Agafay is 30 to 45 minutes from Marrakech, so plan on half a day.
- Riding time: about an hour in both places, with stops for photos.
- Little extras: in the Palm Grove the team offers you a traditional cheich (head wrap) to wear for the ride and the photos. In Agafay the ride is done in a small group with a guide, and each rider has their own camel. Both end with mint tea.
- Transport: the round trip from your accommodation in Marrakech is included for both rides and may be shared with other participants.
- Price: from 250 MAD per person in the Palm Grove, from 350 MAD for 2 people (2 camels) in Agafay. Both rides are booked for a minimum of 2 people.
Pick the Palm Grove for young children or a short stay, Agafay for desert scenery if you have half a day. If Agafay is already on your list for a pool day or a dinner, our guide to the best Agafay desert camps helps you plan the rest of the day around it.
How a camel ride works, from pickup to mint tea
- Pickup. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. The team confirms the time with you on WhatsApp before the day.
- Welcome and safety. On arrival, the local team greets you and gives a few simple instructions before you mount: how to sit, where to hold on, and what happens when the camel stands up and kneels down.
- The ride. About an hour of riding at a walking pace, between the palm trees or across the rocky desert, with photo stops along the way.
- Mint tea. You finish with a traditional Moroccan mint tea.
- Return. The vehicle takes you back to your accommodation.
The only surprise is when the camel stands up: back legs first, so you tip forward, then the front legs. Lean back a little, hold the saddle handle, and the guide warns you just before.
Who is a camel ride for? Children, beginners and first-timers
No experience is needed. The pace is slow and the guides lead the animals, so you have nothing to steer. That makes it a good first activity for:
- Families: children are welcome, and the youngest ride with an adult. With small children, the Palm Grove is the easier choice because the outing is shorter.
- Beginners and nervous riders: you sit, hold on and look at the view. If you feel unsure, tell the guide and the pace stays gentle.
If you have back problems, are pregnant or have reduced mobility, ask the team before booking: getting on and off a camel involves a forward and backward movement.
What to wear and bring
- Comfortable trousers rather than shorts or a short skirt, since you sit astride a saddle for an hour.
- Closed shoes, which the team recommends for both rides.
- Sun protection: a hat or scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen. Shade is rare in Agafay.
- A warm layer in the late afternoon and in winter, as the air cools quickly once the sun goes down.
- A phone or camera with a strap, so it cannot slip while the camel moves.
- A little cash for tips, which are not included.
Best time of day and season for a camel ride
The rides run all year, depending on the weather. A few practical pointers:
- Morning: cooler and calm, a good choice in summer.
- Late afternoon: softer light and better photos, especially in Agafay, where the stony hills turn golden. If you would like to ride close to sunset, say so when you book: sunset moves through the year, and the team confirms the time on WhatsApp.
- Seasons: spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Summer is hot in the middle of the day, so ride early or late. Winter days are mild, but mornings and evenings are cold.
Animal welfare: what to look for
A camel ride is only enjoyable if the animals are well treated. You do not need to be an expert to check the basics:
- the camels rest between rides, with shade and water available;
- they look calm and in good condition, with no visible wounds where the saddle sits;
- the guides walk beside the animals and lead them on foot, at a walking pace;
- the saddles are padded and properly fitted.
If something does not look right to you, say so to the guide, and let us know after your ride.
Price and what's included
- Camel ride in the Palm Grove: from 250 MAD per person, with a minimum of 2 people. Included: the guided ride, a professional local guide, the traditional cheich, the mint tea break and round-trip transport from Marrakech. Not included: meals and tips.
- Camel ride in the Agafay desert: from 350 MAD for 2 people, each on their own camel (minimum 2 people). Included: the round-trip transfer from Marrakech, the guided ride with a local guide and the mint tea. Not included: meals, extra drinks and personal expenses.
- Quad and camel pack in Agafay: from 500 MAD per person, for one hour on your own quad and one hour on a camel, with a tea break and round-trip transport. The quad driver must be at least 16. If you book a late-afternoon time, the camel part takes place at sunset.
Nothing is paid online: you pay on site on the day. Cancellation is always free, with no time limit.
How to book a camel ride in Marrakech
Choose your ride, pick a date and a time, add the number of riders (minimum 2) and send the request. The team then confirms your pickup time on WhatsApp.
- Camel ride in the Marrakech Palm Grove
- Camel ride in the Agafay desert
- Quad and camel pack in the Agafay desert
Planning the rest of your stay? See our best things to do in Marrakech, or our guide to horse riding in Marrakech if you would rather be on a horse.
FAQ
Where can I ride a camel near Marrakech?
In the Palm Grove (Palmeraie), on the edge of the city, or in the Agafay desert, a stony desert further out with views towards the Atlas. Both rides include pickup from your hotel or riad.
How long is a camel ride in Marrakech?
About an hour of riding, plus the mint tea and the transfers. The Palm Grove is 15 to 20 minutes from the city centre and Agafay 30 to 45 minutes, so the Palm Grove outing is shorter. The team confirms your pickup time on WhatsApp.
How much does a camel ride cost in Marrakech?
From 250 MAD per person in the Palm Grove and from 350 MAD for 2 people in Agafay. Both rides are booked for a minimum of 2 people. The quad and camel pack in Agafay starts at 500 MAD per person. You pay on site on the day.
Can children ride a camel?
Yes. Children are welcome and the youngest ride with an adult. With small children, the Palm Grove is usually more practical because the outing is shorter.
Are there sand dunes in Agafay?
No. Agafay is a stony desert of rocky ground, hills and wide views. The big sand dunes are in the Sahara, far from Marrakech. Around the city you ride between palm trees or across this stony desert, in half a day.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Cancellation is always free, with no time limit, and nothing is paid online: you pay on site on the day of the ride.
In short
For an easy hour with children or on a short stay, ride in the Palm Grove. For desert views and a real sense of space, head to Agafay, or pair the camel with a quad in the pack. The Palm Grove ride starts at 250 MAD per person and the Agafay ride at 350 MAD for 2 people, with a minimum of 2 people, hotel pickup, payment on the day and free cancellation.
