Camel Rides Near Marrakech: Palmeraie or Agafay?

For a camel ride Marrakech offers two easy options: the Palmeraie, a palm grove 15–20 minutes from the medina with 1–2 hour walks among date palms, and the Agafay desert, 40–50 minutes away, with shorter rides across stony hills and wide Atlas views. The Palmeraie is cheaper and simpler (about 150–350 MAD); Agafay is more scenic at sunset. Neither has sand dunes; for those you need the Sahara.

First, what to expect near Marrakech

Let's be honest from the start, because we see disappointed faces when people expect golden dunes. Marrakech is not in the desert. The camels here are dromedaries (one hump), and the rides take place in a palm oasis or on a stony plateau. It is a lovely, calm experience and a good taste of camel riding, but if dunes are the dream, you need a night in Merzouga or Zagora. If you are heading there later, our tips on a first proper camel trek in the Sahara explain the difference.

Palmeraie vs Agafay at a glance

The Palmeraie camel ride

The Palmeraie is the classic choice and the one we run most often. After a short drive, you meet the camel handlers at a small base where you get a chèche (headscarf) wrapped for you. Mounting is the funny part: the camel kneels, you sit, lean back, and it stands up back legs first. The walk follows sandy paths between palms and olive trees, past irrigation channels and mud-brick houses. Most rides stop at a family home or tent for mint tea and a piece of bread with olive oil. Late in the day, when the light is low and warm, the palms throw long shadows and the photos are at their best.

Our golden-hour camel ride in the Palmeraie is from €25 per person and lasts about two hours door to door, including free pickup from your riad or hotel.

Riding a camel in Agafay

In Agafay, camel rides are usually shorter and part of a bigger outing, often with a quad session or dinner in a desert camp. The scenery is more dramatic: bare hills, a huge sky, and the snow-capped High Atlas from late autumn to spring. If you are already heading out there, a camel walk at sunset is worth adding. Our guide to quad routes in Agafay and the palm grove explains how the two combine, and our page on sleeping in an Agafay camp covers the overnight option.

Is it comfortable? Tips for your first ride

• Lean back when the camel stands and kneels. It lurches forward and backward, and it is the only moment you can slide.
• Hold the saddle handle, not the reins; the handler leads the camel on foot.
• Wear long trousers. Saddles can rub bare legs after an hour.
• Keep your phone on a strap. You sit about two metres high.
• Tell the handler if you feel unsteady; they slow down or let you walk for a while.

Camel rides with kids

Children love it, and the Palmeraie ride is one of the easiest family activities around Marrakech. Most kids from around 4–5 years can ride, usually sharing a camel with a parent. There is no minimum height, but very small children may feel nervous at the height. Bring a hat and water for younger ones, and plan it for late afternoon when the heat has dropped.

Animal welfare: what to look for

This matters to many of our guests, and to us. Well-treated camels have visible weight on their humps, clean saddles with padding, no open sores, and rest in the shade with water between rides. Handlers should walk at a calm pace and never hit the animals. Weight limits of around 100–110 kg per rider are normal and a good sign. If something looks wrong on any ride, anywhere, tell your guide and choose another operator next time.

Want to ride a horse instead?

Some people prefer a horse, especially confident riders who want to trot or canter. The same palm grove and Agafay tracks are used for horse riding; we explain the options in our horse riding guide for Marrakech. You can see every outdoor option on our adventure activities page.

How the golden-hour ride is timed

We plan pickup so that you are on the camel for the last hour of daylight. In winter that means leaving your riad around 15:00–15:30; in summer, closer to 18:00. The light in the Palmeraie changes fast in that last hour, going from bright white to warm gold and then soft pink between the palms. If photos matter to you, ask the handler to walk the camels past the tall palms with the sun behind them: the silhouettes of the camel line are the classic picture, and the handlers know exactly where to stop. After the ride, there is time for tea before we drive you back, usually arriving at your hotel around dusk.

What is included and what is not

• Included: hotel or riad pickup and return, the camel and handler, a headscarf to borrow, mint tea.
• Not included: tips for the handler (optional, around 20–50 MAD if you are happy), any photos sold by the base, and dinner.

If you only have one free afternoon between medina visits, this ride fits neatly, because the palm grove is so close to the city. Many guests do the medina in the morning, rest after lunch, and head out for the camels at the end of the day.

Combining a camel ride with other activities

Some bases in the Palmeraie also run quads, so friends can split up for an hour and meet again for tea. In Agafay, camel rides are often the calm part of a longer evening that starts with engines and ends by a fire. Either way, keep the ride for the end of the day; nobody enjoys a camel walk at 14:00 in July.

Quick FAQ

How long is a Palmeraie camel ride?

Usually 1–1.5 hours on the camel, and about 2 hours including transfer and tea.

Is there a weight limit?

Most operators set it at around 100–110 kg to protect the animals.

Can I do it in summer?

Yes, but only from late afternoon. In July and August, midday temperatures in the Palmeraie often pass 38°C.

Book a golden-hour ride

Tell us how many people and your preferred date, and we will set the pickup time to catch the best light. Our Palmeraie camel ride at golden hour is booked by WhatsApp or on the website, with no online payment.