Camel Ride in Marrakech: What It Is Really Like, and How to Choose a Good One

Where do you ride a camel near Marrakech?

The two places most visitors use are the Palmeraie and the Agafay Desert. They give very different experiences, so it helps to choose with the picture in your head.

The Palmeraie

The Palmeraie is a large palm grove on the northern side of the city, about twenty minutes from the centre by car. The ground is sandy and dotted with palm trees, olive trees and small walls. A ride here is a slow walk on shaded tracks, with villas and farmland not far away, and the Atlas Mountains in the distance on clear days. It is easy to reach, short, and good for families.

The Agafay Desert

The Agafay is a stone desert, about forty kilometres from the city. It is made of pale, rocky hills and wide dry valleys, with no sand dunes. Camel rides here are usually short walks at a desert camp, often at sunset, before dinner. The scenery is more open and more dramatic than the Palmeraie, and the High Atlas sits behind it. It is not the Sahara, and honest operators do not say it is. For the difference, read our guide to Agafay and Merzouga.

A short introduction to the camel

The camels you meet in Morocco are dromedaries, which means they have one hump, not two. The hump stores fat, not water. A dromedary can go for a long time without drinking, and when it finally finds water it can drink a very large amount in a few minutes. Camels have long eyelashes, nostrils that can close against sand and wide, padded feet that stop them sinking into soft ground.

They are working animals with a long history in North Africa. Caravans used them for centuries to carry salt, gold and goods across the Sahara. Today, in the Marrakech region, most camels work in tourism, and a good owner treats them as a valuable animal, because a healthy camel can work for many years.

Camels are calm if they are handled well, and they are also strong and stubborn. They make loud grumbling sounds, especially when they kneel down or stand up. This is normal and does not mean the animal is hurt. Your guide will know the difference.

What happens on a camel ride, step by step

A camel ride near Marrakech follows a simple pattern. Knowing it in advance removes most of the nerves.

1. Meeting the camels. The camels wait kneeling on the ground, usually in a line, with a saddle blanket and a wooden or padded saddle on their back.
2. Getting on. You sit in the saddle while the camel is still kneeling. Hold the handle at the front with both hands, and lean back when the camel stands.
3. Standing up. A camel stands in two steps. The back legs go up first and push you forward, and then the front legs follow and you lean back. It takes a few seconds and feels more dramatic than it is.
4. The walk. The camel men lead the animals on a rope, so you do not need to steer. The pace is slow and the movement is a gentle sway from side to side.
5. Photo stops. Guides usually stop at the best places in the palm grove or on a hill, and take pictures with your phone if you ask.
6. Getting off. The camel kneels again, front legs first, and you lean back, then forward as the back legs fold. Hold on until the animal is completely still.

The ride itself is usually about an hour. Many people are surprised by how high the saddle is, and by how quickly they feel comfortable once they are moving.

What does it feel like?

The first few minutes are the strangest. The camel's walk moves both legs on one side together, which produces a slow, rolling sway. Most people relax into it quickly and spend the rest of the ride looking around.

You may feel some muscle tension in your thighs and lower back, especially if you tense up. Sit upright, relax your shoulders, and let your hips move with the animal. After about an hour, a first-time rider may feel a little stiff, but a good ride is not painful.

Common worries

• Fear of heights. A camel is taller than a horse, but the saddle is stable and the ground is soft. If you are nervous, ask for a camel that is calm and a guide who walks next to you.
• Motion sickness. The sway is slow, and most people are fine. If you are sensitive, take a light meal before the ride and look at the horizon.
• Smell and noise. Camels groan and sometimes spit or burp. It is part of the experience and not a sign of danger.
• Children. Our camel safari accepts children from 4 years old when they ride with an adult. Always check the minimum age with the operator.

How to choose a camel ride that treats its animals well

A good camel experience depends on the animal's welfare, and a few clear signs help you judge before you pay.

Things to look for

• Healthy-looking camels. A good camel has a firm hump, clear eyes, clean skin and no open sores, especially around the nose, legs and the area under the saddle.
• Rest breaks. Camels should work in short sessions with enough time to rest and to drink. Ask how many rides each animal does per day.
• Reasonable loads. One adult per camel, or an adult with a small child. Never more than the saddle is designed for.
• A gentle handler. The camel men should lead calmly, with no shouting and no hitting.
• Water and shade. Animals waiting between rides need access to water and to shade, particularly in summer.

Warning signs

• Camels tied up for hours in full sun, with no water in sight.
• A very long line of riders at midday in July or August.
• A rope pulled hard through the nose, or animals that are constantly jerked.
• A price that looks too good to be true, which usually means too many rides per day for each camel.

If something looks wrong, you can walk away. A small number of visitors choosing carefully is what pushes the whole market in a better direction. Our own safari follows strict care rules for the camels, including rest breaks, and keeps the groups small so that no animal is rushed.

The best time of day

Sunset

This is the most popular time, and it is easy to see why. The light is low and golden, the palm trunks cast long shadows, and the heat has dropped. Photographs look beautiful. The sunset ride starts about two hours before sunset, so you finish with the last light. It is also the busiest time, so book ahead in high season.

Morning

A morning ride is quiet, cool and fresh. In summer it is the best choice for comfort, because the palms are cool and the camels are at their freshest. The light is softer and the air is clear.

Afternoon

Between about noon and three in the afternoon, the sun is strong from May to September. If you can, avoid this period in summer. In winter, the afternoon is pleasant.

What to wear and bring

• Long, loose trousers or a long skirt. Shorts can rub against the saddle, and the camel's coat can irritate bare legs.
• Closed shoes or sandals with a strap. Flip-flops fall off when you get on and off.
• A hat or scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun is strong, even in winter.
• A light scarf for dust. In the Agafay, the wind can lift fine dust.
• A small bag you can wear across your body. Do not carry things in your hands while you ride.
• A warm layer for sunset in winter, because temperatures drop fast.

On our camel safari, you can also put on a Berber scarf and robe for photographs. It is a fun detail, and many guests keep the pictures as their favourite souvenir.

The ethics of camel riding: an honest view

It is fair to ask whether camel rides are a good idea at all. The answer is that it depends on how the work is organised. Camels in Morocco have worked with people for centuries, and many families depend on them for income. A camel that is well fed, rested and treated kindly is a valuable asset, and its owner has every reason to look after it.

The problems come from overworked animals, poor care and rides designed only to move as many people as possible. As a visitor, you choose which kind of operator gets your money. Ask questions, look at the animals, and prefer a small operator that is happy to answer.

If you prefer not to ride at all, you can still enjoy the camels from the ground. Many camps let you walk beside a camel, feed it with a handful of straw, or simply watch it kneel and stand. A good guide will not make you feel bad about your choice.

Camel ride or something else?

A camel ride is a gentle experience. If you want more speed, the same areas offer other activities, and it is easy to combine them.

• Quad bikes in the Agafay: fast, dusty and fun, with open views of the hills.
• Buggy rides in the Palmeraie: a short ride between the palm trees, with two seats in each vehicle.
• A desert dinner and show at sunset: a relaxed evening with music, a fire show and a Moroccan dinner, often with a short camel walk.

If you are travelling with children or older relatives, the camel ride is usually the best choice. It is calm, short and does not require any skill.

A few tips from the camel men

Camel handlers in the Palmeraie and the Agafay spend all day with their animals, and they offer practical advice that is easy to follow. Lean back when the camel stands up, and follow its movement when it kneels, so you do not slide. Keep both hands on the handle until the animal is completely still. Do not wave your arms or shout near the animal. If you want to take photographs while riding, ask your guide to take them instead, or wait for the stop.

Be patient with your first steps. Camels are slow to rise and sit, and each movement takes a few seconds. Let the guide set the rhythm. If your camel stops to eat a leaf, the camel man will move it on. Greet the handler with a friendly salam, and thank them at the end. A small tip is customary and appreciated, and it goes directly to the person who looked after you and the animal.

Photography and the Berber dress

The sunset ride is the favourite of photographers. Place the camel line against the low sun, and you get a long row of silhouettes among the palm trunks. For close photographs, the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset give the softest light on faces. Phones work perfectly well. Turn off the flash, clean the lens before you start, and use a strap so your phone does not fall from the saddle.

Dressing in a Berber scarf and robe makes the photographs feel more complete, and is a fun way for a group or a family to take a picture together. The clothes are provided on our safari, and putting them on takes only a few minutes. Remember that the colour of the robe can show up strongly in the golden light, so ask your guide which scarf will look best on you.

Who should skip the ride?

A camel ride is gentle, but it is not for everyone. If you have serious back or hip problems, are pregnant, or have reduced mobility, the climb into the saddle and the sway can be difficult. In those cases, a calm walk in the palm grove, a visit to the camps and a mint tea in a Berber house are a lovely alternative, and nobody will mind that you stay on the ground.

Very small children are also better kept on the ground. For older children, the experience is often a highlight of the trip. They are lighter, they love the height, and they remember the day long after the holiday ends.

Combining a camel ride with the rest of your day

A camel ride takes about two and a half hours from pickup to drop-off, so it fits easily into a half day. A morning ride leaves your afternoon free for the medina, the gardens or a hammam. A sunset ride works well after a quiet day by the pool, and you are back at your hotel in time for dinner.

If you have several days, a good rhythm is one active day and one slow day. Pair the camel ride with a buggy or quad tour on a different day, and keep a day for the city. The Palmeraie is close to the city, so it is also a good choice on your arrival or departure day, when you do not want a long drive.

Travelling with friends or family? Ask for a private ride. The group stays together, the pace suits the slowest rider, and the camel men have time for every photograph. It costs a little more, but for a celebration or a proposal it is worth it.

Common questions before you go

Do I need to tip? A tip for the camel men is customary and not included in the price. A small amount, handed over directly with a thank you, is welcome.

Can I bring my camera or phone? Yes. Keep the phone on a strap and avoid holding it in one hand while the camel stands up or kneels.

What if it rains? Rain is uncommon in Marrakech. If the forecast looks bad, write to us by email and we will find the best option together.

Is the camel ride suitable for vegetarians, or for guests with food allergies? The tea and msemen pancakes contain no meat. Tell us about any allergy when you book.

Booking your camel ride

Our Marrakech camel safari lasts about two and a half hours in total. It includes hotel pickup, a ride of about one hour through the palm grove, Berber clothes for photographs, and mint tea with pancakes in a local house. You can choose a morning, afternoon or sunset departure, and private rides are available on request. You pay on the day, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start. Book by email, and we reply with the exact pickup time.

Frequently asked questions