The 11 Best Adventure and Nature Activities in the Marrakech Desert

Named the ninth best destination in the world by tourists and visitors, Marrakech has everything to offer: history, traditions, landscapes, delicious food, good weather, luxury living and adventure for all tastes and budgets. Although Marrakech is not located in the desert, a trip to the Sahara from there is sure to top your wish list.

But what exactly can you do once you get there? Here are some of the most fun and exciting activities to ensure you have a great time.

This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that words can hardly do justice to. Only those who have had the opportunity to experience the dunes in the cold of the night and under a million stars can understand the avalanche of emotions that can be felt.

Departing from Marrakech, you will find several desert excursion options that take tourists to any of the three main Moroccan deserts: the Merzouga Desert, the Zagora Desert and the Agafay Desert.

When you arrive in the desert, you will spend the night in camps with special tents in the middle of nowhere, where you will have certain amenities such as a comfortable place to sleep, a washing area, seating, warm campfires, and much more.

An interesting name, isn't it? Sandboarding is a fun pastime that tourists and locals enjoy on their trips to the desert. Here, you don't need waves to surf, as you use long surfboards to slide down the dunes.

If you visit either of the two main sand deserts of the Sahara, for example on a trip to the Zagora desert from Marrakesh, you will have the opportunity to try it out by renting equipment near the camps.

If you travel to the desert with friends or family, you can have a great time climbing to the top of a sand dune and then sliding down on your board, either standing or sitting. To do it again, you'll have to climb back to the top. If you travel to the desert and Marrakech in winter, the temperature is so pleasant that you can go sandboarding whenever you want.

In the heart of the Agafay Desert is the artificial reservoir of Lake Takerkoust. If you visit Marrakech in the summer and want to escape the heat for a few hours, this is the perfect place to do so, due to its proximity to the city and ease of access.

Its calm waters are ideal for all kinds of activities to enjoy with family or friends. Among the most popular are jet skiing, windsurfing, rowing and peaceful pedal boat rides. If any of these activities appeal to you, you can hire equipment directly on site at establishments such as:

• Jet Atlas Marrakech
• Quad & Co Maroc

If you don't have time to spend the night in the desert, it's important to know that another activity you can do at the camps is enjoy lunch or dinner in a typical Berber tent. It's a wonderful experience that's twice as enjoyable if you visit the desert with your partner or close family.

You will have the opportunity to sample a traditional meal that includes tagine, couscous, salads and cakes.

And all under the magical blanket of night if you decide to do this activity after sunset.

The tranquillity and infinite beauty of the desert's golden dunes is unmatched by any other natural spectacle on earth and is something you can experience by booking a desert excursion from Marrakech.

The best part about this activity is that it can easily be combined with many of the other activities on the list, enriching your experience or trip to the magical Moroccan desert from Marrakech.

For example, if you decide to camp in the Moroccan desert overnight, you can arrange to go on a camel ride or a quad bike ride at sunrise or sunset to enjoy the natural spectacle of the overwhelming desert landscape.

If you decide to spend the night in the desert, for example on an excursion to the Zagora desert, don't miss the opportunity to take photographs of the night sky. Whether you are a professional photographer or simply an amateur who enjoys magical destinations.

The Moroccan desert is the perfect setting for creating shots with stunning compositions. As the nearest towns are a considerable distance away, there is virtually no light pollution, making it easier to capture the beauty of the stars that cover the sky.

Although the best time to visit Marrakech, and from there the desert, depends on many other factors, the best time to take photos of the desert and the stars is in summer when there are practically no clouds. When travelling to the desert, take great care of your photographic equipment in the sand, carrying your lenses and cameras in special cases that prevent dust or particles from getting inside.

I am one of those who believes that a camel ride through the desert is an adventure you should not miss on a trip to Marrakech.

As one of the most popular activities among travellers, you will find hundreds of options available both in the Moroccan deserts and in other areas of tourist interest such as the Palmeral on the outskirts of Marrakech.

If you are going to the desert as part of a guided tour, I recommend that you read the itinerary of activities to see if this experience is included. If it is not, contact the organisers to see if there is a way to do it. As an additional tip, I can tell you that camels are really sweet creatures that have adapted wonderfully to contact and life with humans.

The inhabitants of the desert claim that the sand dunes of the Sahara have healing and even miraculous properties. For some time now, they have been teaching this secret to travellers who come to Morocco from all corners of the world.

The Merzouga desert is the favourite place in Morocco for this activity because its dunes are the highest, reaching heights of up to 150 metres. As the sun rises on the horizon, you can see native Moroccans digging holes in the dunes to bury visitors completely in what could be considered an unconventional spa treatment.

For the magic of the dunes to have the desired effect, you must be buried for at least 30 minutes and will be provided with water upon request. Undoubtedly a different way to appreciate the Sahara.

This is a very enjoyable activity that you can do in any of the Moroccan deserts. During the tour, you can breathe in the pure, peaceful air and enjoy the wild and imposing nature of the desert in all its splendour. For many, it is an extremely relaxing trip, especially after spending two or three days in Marrakech.

Upon arrival in the desert, you can hire quad bikes on your own or take advantage of one of the many group excursions. These types of tours are usually organised in small groups, allowing the guide to provide personalised attention and take care of all participants.

It is ideal for covering large distances in a short time and appreciating the beauty of the surroundings, making it a perfect alternative for those who, for personal or ethical reasons, do not enjoy travelling by camel.

The Sahara Desert in Morocco covers a large area of land. Getting to the desert from Marrakechis not complicated due to the many excursions that leave from the city, but depending on the destination you have chosen for your desert adventure, you can explore the possibility of embarking on an adventure to discover a beautiful natural oasis.

This type of experience usually lasts about two to three hours, so you can easily include it in your one-day itinerary in the desert. In the Erg Chebbi desert, the Oasis of M'Hamid stands out, which for centuries has served as a resting stop for the dromedary caravans crossing the desert.

Berbers is the name given to the indigenous ethnic group that dominates the northern part of Africa and which you will naturally encounter on your trip to Morocco. In the vicinity of the most important Moroccan deserts, it is easy to find small traditional settlements where you can appreciate their lifestyle, cuisine and art.

While the men and boys tend to the livestock, the women of the Berber tribes prepare food and make handicrafts that are later sold in traditional souks, such as the one in the Medina of Marrakech. On an excursion to the villages, you can learn how the designs of the tapestries reflect their oldest customs and traditions.

Another peculiarity is that, in the lowlands, the Berbers of the desert are mostly nomadic. They are made up of tribes of families who move throughout the desert following the seasonal cycles of their ancestors.

• A rucksack or shoulder bag should be enough to carry everything you need.
• The clothing you wear in the desert needs to be functional. Wear breathable materials, linen and cotton clothing, as well as long sleeves to keep your skin protected from the sun as much as possible.
• Sunglasses, caps, and hats are also necessary to protect you from the sun.
• If you are spending the night in the desert, bring socks, as desert nights can be cold even in summer. And if you are going in winter, bring warm clothing.
• The right footwear will always be trainers or hiking boots. Forget about sandals if you are walking on sand or going on camel rides.
• Additional equipment such as a small first aid kit and a portable charger for your mobile phone.