Camel Rides in Marrakech

If we had to describe Marrakech, the first things that would come to mind would be the aroma of spices, the colours of the desert, the hustle and bustle of the souk... and camels. Riding a camel through the landscapes of Marrakech is a fascinating experience.

The most convenient option

Marrakech Palm Grove Camel Ride

Explore the Palmeraie of Marrakech by camel

Discover this popular and fascinating place in the most original way possible, with a camel ride accompanied by a professional guide.

From RM84 at Hellotickets

On this camel ride through the Palmeraie of Marrakech, you will have the opportunity to discover the Palmeraie of Marrakech on camelback. A one-hour ride where you can also immerse yourself in the atmosphere by trying on traditional Moroccan Sahara clothing.

What's more, you won't miss a thing as you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you lots of interesting facts and immerse you in the local customs and culture. And not only that, but you'll also have the chance to visit a Berber village and, once the ride is over, you can enjoy a mint tea.

Recommended if... you're travelling with family or friends, as it's even more fun.

If you want to ride a camel during your visit to Marrakech, you have several options. Come with me and I'll explain everything in detail so you'll have no doubt about which one to choose.

Day trip to the Agafay Desert with camel ride

This is one of the most popular options: a day trip from Marrakech to the Agafay Desert, located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, where you can enjoy the wonderful waterfalls in the area and see different Berber villages during your camel ride. Early in the morning, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the desert area.

In one of these villages, there will be free time for lunch: for an additional £6 to the price of the excursion, you will be offered lunch in a local house, but you can also explore the surroundings at your leisure and look for a typical dish to try or even bring your own food (I don't recommend the latter because of the weight of your backpack during the camel ride and because your drinks will get warm during the day).

What I liked most about this excursion is that the experience includes not only the camel ride but also beautiful views and close contact with the local population, who will invite you to drink Berber tea. The locals are used to contact with tourists, so it's easy to communicate with them (at least with the younger ones) in French or English, and in any case, the guide can translate. Although I was aware that this was a "pre-arranged" experience, I still found it very authentic.

Excursion to the Zagora desert

On this two-day excursion to the Zagora desert, seven hours from Marrakech, you will enjoy an incredible adventure, sleeping under the stars in a Berber camp, visiting the city of Ait Ben Haddou and riding a camel. This is a very complete experience, accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you all about the area and what life is like in the desert.

Transport is also included, so you can relax and enjoy the dreamlike landscapes. And if you're a foodie, this excursion includes a typical dinner and breakfast.

Excursion to the Merzouga Desert

On this three-day excursion to the Merzouga desert, you will experience an authentic journey, located no less than 600 kilometres from Marrakech. Accompanied by an expert guide who will give you all the details about this impressive place, known as the pearl of the Sahara desert, you will enjoy a 2-hour camel ride. It also includes dinner and breakfast, so you can sample Moroccan cuisine.

Of course, this experience includes accommodation, and one night you will sleep in a camp in the middle of the desert. Yes, you read that right, something unforgettable. If you're a wildlife lover, you won't be disappointed, as this desert is home to various species such as desert foxes, spiny-tailed lizards and sand vipers.

Please note that there are two options to choose from: the quad bike tour or an excursion that ends in Fez.

Half-day excursion to the Jebilet desert with camel ride

A middle ground between spending a whole day on a camel ride and taking a short tour of the outskirts of Marrakech is this half-day excursion to the Jebilet desert with a camel ride. It lasts approximately half a day (with one departure in the morning and another in the afternoon). The destination is Jebilet, a stone desert north of the city. The camel ride lasts about two hours and you will have tea and pancakes with local inhabitants.

This excursion is available in English and French. A driver will pick you up at your hotel at the chosen time and, together with a small group of up to 16 people, will drive you to the Jebilet desert area where your visit begins. Once there, a local guide will show you how to mount your camel and will guide you on a tour of the area. If you can keep your balance, don't forget to take photos during the tour as a souvenir; the area is well worth it.

At a certain point along the route, there will be a stop for tea and pancakes with a local family who will tell you interesting stories about life in the desert and the main rituals of the Berber people.

Camel riding is a very popular experience among people travelling to Morocco, and there's no doubt that you won't have the opportunity to do it in many other places.

If you're wondering whether riding a camel is like riding a horse, the answer is no. It's just a matter of sitting correctly and coordinating your movements with those of the animal to avoid back pain. The guide will explain how to do it, but it's not difficult, even though the movement may be uncomfortable for some people. If you think this might be the case for you, choose a short ride or one with breaks. Avoid the experience if you have back problems, and if at any time you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide.

Also, keep in mind that camels on these types of tours travel in a caravan. In other words, the expert guide leads a line of camels and the others follow. Camels are very calm and docile animals and are used to carrying tourists, so there is no need to be afraid. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Camel rides take place almost every day at different times. Groups are usually the same size, so there is no advantage in doing them on one day or another due to crowds; you can select the date that best suits your travel plans.

You won't have any problems with the weather either, as the climate in Morocco is usually quite stable. In the unlikely event of adverse circumstances and the ride is cancelled due to rain or a sandstorm, you will be refunded or rescheduled for another day.

Can children ride camels?

Children under 12 must be accompanied on this type of tour, mainly to prevent them from falling off the camel if they lose their balance, not because the animal will become unruly.

Even so, the minimum age for riding a camel is two years old.

Most camel riding excursions from Marrakech stand out for their convenience, as they usually pick you up at your hotel and take you back once the tour is over. However, there are a few details you should keep in mind before leaving your hotel:

• Bring water: Don't forget that you're going to be riding a camel in the desert; sometimes the camel drivers will provide water, but sometimes they won't. During the ride, there is nowhere to buy water (you're in the desert) and, at least for me, the heat made me quite thirsty during the trip. Fill a bottle with cold water before leaving the hotel and carry it in a backpack.
• Wear comfortable clothing: If you wear shorts, the rubbing against the camel saddle may be uncomfortable, so I recommend long, loose-fitting trousers with trainers that allow you to support yourself and keep your balance. Remember that it is hot and it is best to wear light clothing that also protects you from the sun. Sometimes the camel drivers themselves will give you traditional desert clothing to wear during the trip to protect you from the sun.
• Protect yourself from the sun: The sun is very strong in the desert, even if the wind is blowing and you don't notice it. It is normal to use sunscreen on your arms and legs, but one area that many people forget is the back of the neck. In fact, turbans are used for this purpose on several of these excursions and are sometimes provided by the Berbers themselves. Regardless, bring a scarf to cover yourself, wear sunglasses and carry sunscreen with you in case you need to use it along the way.
• Don't worry about food: On short camel rides, you don't have to worry about food because they only last about two hours. As for day or half-day excursions, you don't have much to worry about either; at lunchtime, you will either be offered the option of paying a small extra supplement to have lunch in a Berber house or you will be dropped off at a place where you can buy something on your own. You can bring a snack in your backpack if you want, but it's not usually necessary.
• Be careful with photos: Of course, you can take photos on the camel or ask your guide to take one for you before you get on or once you are up. Where you need to be careful is when taking out your camera during the ride to photograph the landscape; the movement of the camel can cause you to lose your balance and your mobile phone or camera to fall to the ground. It is best to ask your guide to stop if you want to take any photos.
• Tips are not included: The price of these tours does not include tips for the Berber guide who drives the camel or the family who may invite you for tea on longer excursions. It is not necessary, but if you want to give them some money, you can do so; not only will they not be offended because they are used to it, but they will thank you kindly.

Is this experience recommended for pregnant women?

To avoid falls or back pain, this experience is not recommended for pregnant women.

Can you visit the desert without riding a camel?

Desert excursions usually include a camel ride, but this does not mean that it is essential to visit the desert or explore the local villages. In fact, the Berbers often walk alongside their camels rather than riding them, so if you ask, they will be happy to let you accompany them on foot instead of riding a camel.

If you haven't already, you should consider booking a guided tour of the city. The souk can seem like a maze, and with a local guide you can be sure to see all the most special places without missing a thing. If you feel like exploring the city's surroundings, you're in luck because there are some incredible places just a short distance away, allowing you to go on day trips or even spend a night in the desert. Here are some of my favourites: 10 Best Tours and Day Trips from Marrakech.