The city of Marrakech is a jewel to explore, but with its close vicinity to the Saharan desert, its hard to pass on an opportunity not to take a tour. So we didn’t. After contemplating all the options, camel riding in Marrakech was the clear winner. Its an experience that really cannot be missed in Marrakech.
Tours from Marrakech
Morocco is a vast country and as a result the choices on which tour to take were a little daunting. The key factor is time. We had three full days in the city, and you can read all about our experience of and our recommendations for things to do in Marrakech. The most spectacular of the desert tours involves a three-day safari tour to Merzouga, with camel riding to watch the sunrise and sunset, and a night camping in the Sahara. While the sunset camel ride sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, it was out of the question.
Many day trips from Marrakech were also an option. The full day tour to the Ouzoud Waterfall was rich in beauty and had wild monkeys. But no camels. The best option looked like the day trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, which incorporated a camel ride through the Saharan outpost of Ait Ben Haddou, recently famed for its part in Game of Thrones. However the fourteen hour tour over the Atlas Mountains would have dominated our long weekend.
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Where to ride camels in Marrakech
Finally we stumbled across the Agafay Desert and Palmeraie region on the outskirts of the city, which offer a range of Marrakech tours. With our limited time our research took us to a morning Palm Grove camel ride tour on the edge of the city. It seemed the perfect solution for our dual-needs, firstly it would have a duration of a half day, and our second, the intense need for Marrakech camel ride. Did we regret our decision to take the reduced tour? Hell did we. It’s the ideal pick for anyone visiting the red city for a short break with an insatiable thirst to channel their inner Lawrence or Lorna of Arabia.
We booked our tour through Get Your Guide, and the service was provided by Dunes and Desert. Our tour consisted of a two hour camel ride, with a break in the middle for mint tea at a Berber village. Reviews were strong and reviewers praised how the camels were treated. You can check out the tour at this link, Palm Grove 2 Hour Camel Riding Tour. The tour cost €30 per person and I think was well worth it. For those who need to channel their more adventurous side you have the option of turning up the excitement on the tour and splitting the time between camel riding and quad biking.
Pick up and getting to the Camel Riding in Marrakech tour
Communication was excellent, with emails sent confirming the tour and pick up times from hotel. This was further confirmed by a phone call. As our pick up was at 9am the bus was unable to enter the Medina and collection was arranged outside Restaurant Diaffa, about two minutes walk from our Riad. The mini bus was prompt and the ride to the location outside the city took around thirty minutes. We were joined onboard by two Londoners, and six French nationals.
The drive through Marrakesh was exactly as I had come to expect, chaotic and busy yet without incident. As we left the city confines behind the roads turned rough. In the distance the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains shimmered on the horizon. Nearer our destination of Palmeraie, the road turned to dirt track. Palmeraie is a desert like landscape with palm groves., It’s a sparse area dotted by a few farms and small villages.
Meeting the staff and the camels
When we arrived at the Marrakech palm grove desert complex we were met by the guides and the camel walkers. We were paired off based on the language of our tour, so we officially met Danny and Lindsey from Kent (the Londoners on our bus). Our tour guide was to be Yassine, a really friendly local, who entertained us throughout our tour. He was disappointed to learn that Irish people don’t say “top o the morning to ya”. Hollywood has a lot to answer for. After some mint tea, we were taken inside for an opportunity to leave our belongings in lockers. Once here the guides wrapped our heads in a chech, which is a traditional head scarf. We would be grateful for it in the heat out on the desert.
With the formalities out-of-the-way it was time to meet our camels. We were relieved to see the camels were healthy looking, and if their moods were anything to go by; happy. The camels were desert dromedaries, and mine as it were was called Shema, with Beatas’ called Fakka. When we headed into the desert we would be tied together in a group of four, with Fakka behind me. We certainly got along, I rubbed his head when I could, and unbeknownst to me, he licked my back when he could. I’m guessing that’s camel for I like you. They spit when they don’t. Either way I ended up with camel saliva on me. I’ve always been an animal person so I was delighted to now number some camels among my friends.
How do we get on this animal?
Whilst the camel ride would prove to be amazing, and a highlight of our trip, one obstacle stood in our way. Getting on the camel. It’s not like a horse, the camel is happy to chill on the ground and wait for his passenger to climb on. Camels can carry up to 300 kg so getting up with you on their back isn’t a problem… for them. There are no foot straps but they do have a multi-coloured saddle, with a looped handle. Should you do a camel ride, this handle is your friend. It’s what keeps you from landing on your butt as the camel rises.
Firstly the camel fully extends its rear legs so you’re convinced you are going to fall forward. Hold on tight. Then it bends its rear legs as it extends its front legs, so now you are falling backwards, before finally coming level by bringing up its back legs again. It really was a see-saw and was a nervy few seconds. It’s high up there, much higher than any horse I have ridden. Thankfully the camels were the definition of calm, and you are given time to acclimatize before taking off.
Camel Riding in Marrakech- The perfect experience
The ride into the Marrakech desert follows marked trails for the most part. As soon as you are settled its merely a pleasure to sit, watch and enjoy the landscape. We noticed the camels’ feet, they rose in rhythm, and as they touched the ground again, they spread like soft cushions, gently absorbing the impact. It summed up the whole experience; it was a soothing, relaxing one. I had heard that riding a camel was uncomfortable, but that wasn’t our take, we only noticed our thighs a little stretched as we disembarked some hours later.
We broke off into two groups with the four of us English speakers, our camel guide (sorry I don’t recall his name) and Yassine together, and the six French nationals with their guides. It was hot out there, even at 10am. Bear in mind we took this tour in November, so the assumption is in summer temperatures would be over 40. Even in this barren terrain it was amazing to see a shepherd leading his flock from one place to the next in search of any grass that broke through the unfertile soil.
Camel Riding in Marrakech- an experience to be documented
Yassine was more than happy to take some shots of us as we rode the camels. Word of warning though, I nearly fell off the camel trying to get my camera back. I also realised post holiday that I was sitting on the camel like it was a Harley. Bad posture. I looked weird. Beata took to it well and looked the part. A natural.
The ride took us through the first set of palms which provides some wonderful photo opportunities. Needless to say I took those. The tour company took the opportunity also bringing along a professional photographer to take shots here. When you return from the tour there is a chance to buy the photos in large prints. They are relatively expensive, charging 100 Dirhams for 2 ( €1=10 dirhams), 150 for 4 (which we bought) or 200 Dirhams for all the photos on a USB.
Visiting a desert village
Finally we wound up a path to one of the enclosed Berber villages where we would stop. I never discovered the name of the village, and it doesn’t appear on google maps. I did learn that it was an Amazik area, and the people were Arab and not Berber. It gave us the chance to take a break from the heat, and the camels happily took a chance to chill too. Our belief that the camels were well-tended was confirmed, as one of the relaxing camels expelled a massive yawn, showing off all his enamel, the tour leader stuck his hat on the camel. I’m still convinced the camel was smiling.
The Art of Mint Tea
Our camel riding in Marrakech tour took a break at that village. They don’t have much to live off of, but whatever locals we met, they greeted us with a friendly smile and a carefree attitude. We seated under a canopy on arabic cushions around a table side. So was to begin our lesson on the art of making Moroccan mint tea. It was interesting to watch, the whole ritual involves everyone in the group, with all having an input, on when the tea was just right. Using huge amounts of both mint and sugar, and surprisingly green tea imported from Asia, the tea was poured, and repoured.
It must be brewed in one of those magnificent Moroccan teapots. Eventually the foam on top is the determinant, once its good, the tea is ready. Mint tea with no foam is simply bad. I have to say for someone who isn’t a tea drinker, it really was tasty. It was all the better for the pancakes with almond and syrup that accompanied it. The tour also included a demonstration on how bread is made traditionally out in the desert villages.
Yassine our tour guide had wandered off a few times during our trek, but we were soon to find out why. He had woven two camel rings from the branches of the palm trees, for Beata and Lindsey. It really was an immense bit of weaving and so impressive.
The way back took us through a denser palm grove which was reminiscent of an oasis. From there our trek took us through the once again barren landscape of the Palmeraie area to the compound.
Final thoughts on camel riding in Marrakech
Camel riding in Marrakech perhaps wasn’t the most eventful of tours. But then again it didn’t need to be. Riding a camel across this terrain, building an affinity with the animals in your vicinity, and relaxing with some locals over a fresh pot of mint tea, was more than enough for us. In fact our camel ride in Marrakech was probably the one thing from Morocco that will live longest and fondest in our memories. And if it wasn’t, there’s always the quad bike.
Have you ever gone camel riding? Let me know how it went in the comments below, or get in touch over on social media @carpediemeire.
72 Responses
Love this! You are right, Beata looks like a natural on her camel! So happy to hear that the camels were treated right. Sounds like a great company to tour with. That camel looks so much happier when he is wearing a hat. That’s gotta be my favourite picture of the bunch! So, a three day camel excursion is what you would go for? (if you had more time, of course). I would feel nervous committing to so much camel time.
I think it’s not three days on a camel. A lot is spent in jeeps and just chilling under stars. I think it’s a clear sky zone (how do you say that- no light pollution) so perfect place for star gazing too. 3 days on a camel would kill you. I think you need to be there for 2 weeks to make that commitment. Would love to do the other tour too, with the game of thrones place. That looks amazing. Next time.
The camel with the hat is hilarious. I think it showed their relationship was great. They were amazing animals. So calm and friendly. I just wish I didn’t look like an idiot whilst riding.
Cheers.
John
Oh, okay! That’s not so bad then! I really want to try one of these camel trips someday. Marrakesh sounds like such an incredible place. Just the name Marrakesh makes me so happy! I love how happy the camels were with the guides – they truly enjoy their life (both the camels and the guides, haha!)
Sorry I missed your reply. I agree with you about Marrakesh. It has a ring to it. I’m trying to write more about the city now but my brain is letting me down.
Couldn’t agree with you more about the camels and guides it made it all the more special.
I enjoyed this post. The pictures are wonderful and so is the story. I envy your turbans! The bluest of blue.
Thank you. Was a great little experience. Alas we had to give back the turbans. But then again not much use for them in Ireland.
Thanks for reading. John
It seems like you had a really wonderful trip. 🙂
Thank you we did. The camel riding was immense fun, with extraordinary scenery. We loved it. Thank you.
John
What a great experience! Good pics, too. I once rode a camel in Djibouti, but it was only around a ring. A three day tour would be quite an adventure, but your half day trip sounds nice, too. That unfolding they do to get up and down is a little unsettling.
Thanks. It was a wonderful experience despite its brevity. I could certainly imagine myself on that three day tour. From what I read it’s otherworldly.
I was sure I was going to end up on my back (or front) as I got onto the camel. I was ready for it second time around though. Still scared the hell out of me though.
Thanks for reading. John
This looks and sounds like a great experience! Photos are amazing! Shame you only got to do the half day trip but it’s sounds well worth it. Defo made me think about travelling to Morocco!
Didn’t regret one bit doing the half day. We weren’t sure how it was going to be so we only made a short break to Marrakesh. Wish we knew what we knew know, would have stayed a week. And done the longer tour. I will when I return.
What about the hive of activity in Jemaa El Fna Square around sunset into the night, snake charmers, Moroccan gastronomy, and vendors of every kind? I loved the camel rides and the time I spent in Merzouga. An experience like none other. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. Loved it.
I’ll be working on an all in Marrakesh blog for my next one, so I’ll be including all the above in there. Lot to write about so it might take me a month. Lol. I’m delighted to have evoked some good memories in you. Thanks for dropping by. John
This looks great, I’m glad the camels look happy and healthy. I saw some whilst I was in Dubai that were definitely the opposite. That straw hat on the camel – lol!!
It’s a relief when the animals are well looked after. The horses and monkeys in the city were not, which was a shame. I think the straw hat summed it all up, it was just a happy uplifting experience
Great posg,I’ve visited Ouarzazate several times before and loved it,the cinema studios,Taourirte kasbah…I’ve also did camel riding but in Mhamid elghizlane and it’s still one of my favourite experiences ever.
Todaysouhaila.blogspot.com
I’ll have to return to see Ouarzazate it looks amazing. I’m glad you enjoyed the camel riding as much as I. Thanks for reading. John
You have definitely left me inspired to take to the desert the FIRST time I’m in Morocco! I must say you look a little uncomfortable seated on your camel, and perhaps this was karmic payback for taking a picture of your wife she might not like? I assume she hasn’t killed you so I guess it’s okay. Had no idea Moroccan mint tea was made with green tea imported from Asia! Huh! Another fascinating post on Morocco and just making me jealous some more!!! I really want to go there 😉
This is Johns wife. He is no longer alive to answer comments. Is what she would be writing if she had seen that photo but she somehow didn’t. I couldn’t resist putting that photo up, it really was part of the story. I would happily have put one of myself, I was the same and but I left out the string of expletives I uttered as the camel rose up.
I felt comfortable but I looked weird. Don’t know why. Maybe I say on the wrong hump.
It’s an interesting one about the tea. I doubt they have always used that, but I didn’t enquire.
We have to make each other jealous or else it doesn’t inspire us to travel. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Sounds like a great trip and photos to remember it. I rode a camel in Tunisia many many years ago, and as you say, have fond memories of the experience!
Thank you. I imagine those fond memories will linger with us for a long time too. Thanks for reading. John
I love that these camels are happy and well taken care of – smiles, teeth, hats and all! That is always my top concern when an activity involves animals. I also love the local village component. I like less touristy things like that. I can’t wait to read more on morocco, so glad I found your blog!
I love that these camels are happy and well taken care of – smiles, teeth, hats and all! That is always my top concern when an activity involves animals. I also love the local village component. I like less touristy things like that. I can’t wait to read more on morocco, so glad I found your blog!
Its was a pleasure to see the animals were in top condition, they were so calm I wanted to hug them. I restrained myself though. I have more material to come on Morocco, but bear with me. I’ll have it out before you get there anyway. 😉
What a wonderful experience! Riding a camel is 100% on my list of things to do in Morocco whenever I make it there. Hopefully I take to camel riding as well as Beata appears to have! (On a separate note, I must say I’m severely disappointed you don’t use ‘Top o’ the morning to ya’ as a standard greeting… curse you, Hollywood! 😉😂)
It was immense. I didn’t realise I looked so awkward until the photos. I felt comfortable if that helps. But Beata sure looked the part.
No top o the morning is pure fiction. We also don’t still use horses and donkeys. Our homes have electricity and we don’t talk like Tom Cruise in Far and Away 😉.
What an amazing experience! You photos are fabulous! I would have thought that camel riding was uncomfortable – it’s good to know it’s rather relaxing. I would have loved the lesson on making mint tea, things like this truly are an art 🙂
It was fantastic. I expected it to be uncomfortable but after the disarray of the first few minutes it was fine. Just a truly heart warming experience
Looks like you had a wonderful time. The photos look great. I must say though your wife looks regal whilst riding a camel. Elegance must be her superpower.
Sorry I’ve been offline here for a few days. I certainly did. You’re not wrong about my wife. She’s very natural there. Perhaps she had a past life in Saharan royalty. Thanks for stopping by and commenting
Wow! This short trip would probably only make me wanna spend a night in the desert. But I do feel kind of worried about getting on the camel after reading this. Never really thought of how this would look like.
The night in the desert sounds a brilliant way to spend a few days, doesn’t it. That is the ultimate Moroccan tour.
You will be fine getting on the camel cause you are in the know. I guess I expected it to go up like an elevator. Which isn’t possible. So that’s why it’s scared the s#|+ out of me when it didn’t. Just hold on and lean in the opposite direction, and you will be fine. Thanks for stopping by again.
John
It really does. I have never been in the desert so it will be that more special.
Thank you so much for taking us to the camels! This is such a nice post and that is a fun activity I wanna try! 😀
You are so welcome. It was a great activity and it was simply blissful. Can’t recommend trying it highly enough.
Loved this post so much! I was actually planning on going to Morocco earlier this year but unfortunately it fell through! Really hoping to go next year and do the tour you guys did! The tour sounds idyllic and it looks like all the staff make an immense amount of effort and the camels were happy! Thank you for sharing 😁
It was simply great. I would suggest to make that trip to Morocco happen in 2019. It was a great trip and we will surely return. Thanks for dropping by.
John
Love the photos 📷 of the 🐪. Not sure if I would like that, hmmm
You would be surprised. It’s a very interesting experience. Thanks for visiting my page.
John
Hi John, such a great post! Camels are the best animals in the world. So much character, and so suave!! When we went to Zagora for our two-day desert camp trip with camel ride last year we also stopped at Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou. Especially the latter is out of this world beautiful. We’re hoping to return next year. All the best – Stefan & Ellie (BSqB)
Thanks guys. Just realised that’s the first time I knew your names. Couldn’t agree with you more on the camels. Great creatures. I’m saddened to have missed Ait Ben Haddou but it’s a great motivation to return. What are you plans when you return next year?
You have a great blog. Would you like to share your story on “What You Blog About”
what motivated you to start this blog ?
Sure. I would be delighted.
Thank you. May I ask you to fill out the short form on here to share your story: http://www.whatyoublogabout.com/contact
Great post! Such a cool adventure!!! Maybe one day we will be brave enough to climb on a camel! 🙂 They do look happy! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you. The good (bad?) news is you just sit on the camel, and they do all the climbing. I have never been a fan of horse riding but I really loved this. Give it a go someday. Thank you for stopping by.
Hey, were the camels well treated? I am travelling to Marrakesh next month but want to make sure I have an ethical trip. A lot of the tours include a camel ride but I worry it isn’t the right thing to do.
Hi. They seemed very well treated. I was particularly impressed by that on this tour. There was no violence towards them, and they well fed by my estimation. I can’t say the same for the horses of the caliches in Marrakesh they were boney and I would suggest to avoid. I booked this tour through getyourguide.com if you were looking for something similar. I completely understand where you are coming from and it’s a definite consideration when travelling to countries outside the usual spectrum. But we left this tour delighted in all respects. Enjoy
Such a great post and pics! 😍
Thank you so much.
Yes it has left us inspired. We loved the desert and we loved Morocco and dream of going back again one day. Love your photos!
I could go back on a heartbeat but to do what you do. The deep desert, Ait Ben Haddou mag Ouzararate are calling me. So defat
This sounds (and looks) like a fun experience! I’m always skeptical about using animals on a travel but these camels look just fine, don’t they? How (un)comfortable was it actually?
Also really good that you could experience other local traditions. Your several posts about Morocco make me badly want to travel to North Africa!
They seemed quite content. I think camels have quiet a load tolerance so we are quiet insignificant on them, but then again they would say that. But any animal that licks you and wears a hat with a smile is generally happy. I didn’t find it uncomfortable really. But I’m in the minority there. Also I think I was sitting a different way to everyone else.
I loved Morocco, the people, the decor, the food, it comes so highly recommended. You are doing the same to me with South America
Shema and Fakka look sweet! Def bookmarking this for when we can travel again as Morocco is high on our list. Especially will want to reference the part on how to get on one! 😅😂🙌🏼
Hold on for dear life. That’s how. 😂😅
What an adventure! I really loved the detailed guide and photos. I am also glad the camels looked healthy and happy. We have a lot of Camels in Egypt but not all of them are treated well. Thanks for sharing this amazing experience. I’ll definitely save It until I can travel to Marrakech
Looks like a cool experience camel riding. You can go camel riding here in Australia, too
Ah yes. Our friend at Perthtravellers has written about that one.
That all seems very cool! I had the chance to do it in Tunisia and I loved the experience. The only point is to make sure the animals look well taken care of, but it’s more and more the case.
Love the picture – can’t wait to be back to the desert 🙂
This is really helpful as I was hoping to get to Morocco next year as a piece of a much larger trip to Africa but I, like you, won’t have long enough in Marrakech for the 3 day desert tour. My friends did that last year and it looked amazing, but this looks like the perfect compromise for time, and fun too!
Now that’s an adventure. Glad you got to do this while in Marrakech…would have been a shame to go there and not ride a camel! Such a barren landscape and can’t imagine it in the summer! Note taken to sit up…if I ever do ride one!
That looks like a lot of fun, but it sounds like 2 hours on a camel is plenty, especially if the one behind is licking your back!
Oh wow… this made me both jealous and a tad bit sad. Our Marrakech plans remain on hold and sort of in the air now til further notice. We VERY much looked forward to this so it’s wonderful yet bitter sweet to read! I loved the photos! I can’t wait to sample the tea!!!
What a cool experience~ I think I’d be wearing that same expression as the camel started getting up. I especially love the photo of the camel shadows.
Great photos although it does look like you are riding a Harley haha
I’d definitely do this tour, you know how much I loved our camel ride in Oz.
What an incredible experience! It looks like something you will treasure forever. It looks very precarious though haha I bet it took a few goes to get comfortable!
I’ve just read that Morocco is the most visited country in Africa. I can see why. This looks like the perfect way to see the landscape and way of life. Love those outfits too, wouldn’t mind selling some of them on my store 🙂
On the travel wish list! Would love to visit Morocco. My last camel ride was a disappointment – we just went in a small circle nose to tail. Your adventure looks like a lot more fun. And with things to see! Great to relax with mint tea on your stop. One day we will get there!
So bucket listy. I went camel racing on my study abroad experience in Australia, but in hindsight that was definitely not a legitimate activity like this one!